2024 HALL OF FAME AWARD RECIPIENT
The Honorable Rodney J. Long
The Honorable Rodney J. Long is a native of Gainesville, Florida. He was educated in the Alachua County School System. He attended Santa Fe College, Howard University, The University Florida, and Adullam Bible College.
Mr. Long’s civic involvement began in 1978 as a co-owner of Music Express of Gainesville and W.O.N.E Radion Station with partners Wayne Fields and William “Wild Bill” Feinberg. He organized community events including the Musical Affair Homecoming Festivities following the UF Homecoming Parade, and The All-American Sport-A-Thon for the youth in the community. In 1982, Mr. Long organized the first Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative March while attending the University of Florida from the UF Plaza of Americas to the Downtown Community Plaza where the inaugural speaker was the late Rev. T. A. Wright.
On December 10, 1984, the Honorable Rodney Long requested the Gainesville City Commission to appoint a King Memorial Celebration Committee. Their goal was to plan and build a memorial in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and to coordinate events with local groups and organizations to celebrate the birth and to commemorate the death and legacy of Dr. King. The King Memorial Celebration Committee was established and the Honorable Rodney Long became president and founder. In 1985, the King Celebration Committee merged with the Friends of Culture Commission, Inc., and revised their articles of incorporation and by‑laws to meet their needs. The new organization was called the Martin Luther King, Jr., Fund, Inc. In 1993, the Martin Luther King, Jr., Fund, Inc., changed its name to the Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Florida, Inc.
The Honorable Rodney Long served as Executive Director of the Alachua County NAACP from 1983-1987. One of his major accomplishments was to initiate Single Member Districts Voting for the City of Gainesville that was approved by the voters in 1986. In March 1988, the Honorable Rodney Long was elected Gainesville’s first single-member district commissioner. He was re-elected to a second term in March 1991. In May of 1991, he was chosen by his colleagues to serve as Gainesville’s first district mayor-commissioner. Former Commissioner Long initiated and the voters approved a charter change to create Charter Officer for Equal Opportunity for the City of Gainesville becoming the first City in America to have a charter officer position.
In November 2000, Mr. Long was elected to serve on the Alachua County Commission, becoming the first African American to serve on both the City and County Commissions. While serving on the County Commission, former Commissioner Long spearheaded the adoption of the Hunger Abatement Plan to address food insecurity in Alachua County and initiated the Strike Hunger Food Drive and Food Giveaway. Those efforts continue today with The Long Foundation, Inc. created by Mr, Long when he retired from the County Commission and several community partners.
Former Commissioner Long was active in the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) until his retirement. He was the President of the Florida Association of Counties having served two terms. In May 2011, former Commissioner Long was chosen by NACo to visit with President Obama at the Whitehouse to discuss issues facing the nation’s counties.
Under President Long’s leadership, The King Commission has accomplished much including the completion of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Gardens located in Downtown Gainesville. The renaming of Highway 441 in 1988 to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Highway from Columbia County to Marion County which is the longest named highway honoring Dr. King. The King Commission advocated for the naming of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Center by the Gainesville City Commission.
The King Commission established the Martin Luther King, Jr., Hall of Fame that has recognized over forty-six local citizens who have demonstrated and espoused those principles and deeds of Dr. King. They established the Edna M. Hart Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award and the Joseph “Joel” Buchanan Drum Major for Justice Scholarship Award in honor of our founding board members who were educators. To date, The Commission has provided over $500,000 in scholarships to high school seniors.
The King Commission continues to fight for justice and equality in policing, criminal justice reform, economic justice, environmental justice, voter education, housing, and educational equity.
The Honorable Rodney Long is the co-owner of Rodney Long Realty, LLC, co-owner of Rodney Long Bail Bonds Agency, LLC, President & CEO of The Long Foundations, Inc., and President & CEO of Long & Associates Consulting, LLC. He is married to Carole Martin of Hawthorne, Fl., and they have four children, Neki, Steven, Dakari, and Julius, and one godchild, Arnelle. They have nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Under the spiritual guidance of Apostle Dr. Willie L. King, Jr., and Pastor Dr. Linda King, the Honorable Rodney Long accepted his calling as an evangelist at Showers of Blessings Harvest Center Church in December 2011 and preached his trial sermon March 4, 2012.
The Honorable Rodney J. Long Guiding Philosophy is: “Everyone can be great because anyone can serve.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.
For his commitment and dedication to the citizens of Gainesville/Alachua County for civic and community involvement. And for serving 40 Years as the President and Founder of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission of Florida, Inc., we proudly present the Honorable Rodney J. Long with the 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Hall of Fame Award.
Hall of Fame Past Award Recipients
Ms. Chanae Jackson | 2023
The Honorable Stephan P. Mickle | 2022
Aeriel Lane | 2021
NKwanda Jah | 2020
Kali Blount | 2019
Evelyn Foxx | 2018
Dorcas “Candy” Ramsuer | 2017
Father Roland Julien | 2016
Dr. Vivian Hayes | 2015
Tony Jones | 2014
Louis Kalivoda | 2013
Steve & Ruth Brown | 2011
Father John Gillespie | 2011
Daniel Harmeling | 2010
Arupa Freeman | 2009
Dr. Hazel Kirkland “Sister Hazel” Williams | 2008
*Hertercene Turner Dee | 2007
Jacquelyn “Jackie” Hart-Williams | 2006
Vivian Filer | 2005
Dr. C.W. Banks | 2005
Dr. E.A. Cosby | 2005
Harriet Ludwig | 2004
Lucille B. Perkins | 2003
Mrs. Pearlie Mare Stephens-Hunt | 2003
Carol W. Thomas | 2003
Joseph Marcus Buchanan | 2002
Dr. Joyce Yvette Cosby | 2002
Floretta Vinson Allen | 2001
Joseph Judge | 2000
Barbara Higgins | 1999
Virgil Hawkins, Jr. | 1998
Russell Henry | 1997
Dr. C. Arthur “Art” Sandeen | 1996
Rev. James Cato – Thomas Coward | 1995
Susie Mae White | 1994
A. Quinn Jones, Sr. | 1993
Dr. C.W. Norton | 1992
Rosa B. WIlliams | 1991
Musheerah Shahid | 1990
Charles S. Chestnut, III | 1989
Savannah Williams | 1988
Rev. T.A. Wright | 1988
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. | 1987