Dr. Cindye Richburg Cotton was honored with the Legacy of Excellence Award by the NAACP Lexington County Branch during its Freedom Fund Awards Gala, held Friday, August 7, 2026, at the Brookland Banquet and Conference Center.
The award recognizes Dr. Cotton’s leadership, community service, and commitment to expanding educational, health, technology, and social service resources for residents of Lexington and Richland counties.
As Executive Director of the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center (BLEC), Dr. Cotton has been instrumental in securing grants, donations, and partnerships to launch and expand vital community programs and services. These initiatives include Mental Health First Aid training, academic enrichment programs for youth and teens, diabetes prevention and management education, case management services, food pantries and community gardens, a clothing bank, and technology training for senior citizens…