The families of three men who spent their lives working to improve conditions for African-Americans and the entire city are still waiting for memorial tributes approved by the Monroe City Council years ago.
In November of 2015, the Monroe City Council approved a resolution “renaming and dedicating” the Powell Street Community Center in the City of Monroe as the “Benny J. Ausberry/James “Coach” Hughey Community Center.”
In August of 2021, the Monroe City Council voted to rename the city’s convention center after Abe E. Pierce, III the city’s first elected African-American mayor. The announcement about Pierce’s honor was made at his funeral by a member of the city council; the mayor did not attend.
Despite the council’s vote, Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo refused to rename the center to honor Ausberry and Hughey, and the Ellis Administration…
