Lauderdale County officials joined the City of Meridian and community leaders in recognizing the contributions of one of the city’s unsung heroes Thursday with the dedication of 45th Avenue as Ricky Hood Sr. Boulevard.
Hood, who has served as executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of East Mississippi for almost 40 years, has touched the lives of thousands of Meridian and Lauderdale County youth. His mentorship, guidance and encouragement have produced generations of successful residents.
Lauderdale County Sheriff Ward Calhoun said he remembers the spring of 1988, when he served on the Board of Trustees for the Boys and Girls Club. At the time, he was selected to be part of a committee hiring the next executive director.
“There was this guy who was real tall, and everybody was talking about him. And what I do remember, I don’t remember the time, but I remember meeting with him. I did not know him. I just knew who he was,” Calhoun said. “But the things that I remember about Mr. Hood was that he was a man of integrity. He was a man who got things done, and he was the kind of guy you didn’t mess with.”
Craig Houston, Lauderdale County District 2 Supervisor, said few have made an impact on Meridian like Ricky Hood. It’s difficult to understand just how big of a role Hood has played without spending time with the city’s youth and learning how far they’ve come.
“I think it’s well deserved,” he said. “He’s touched thousands of kids’ lives through the Boys and Girls Club.”
Calhoun said Hood has helped generations of children understand and pursue their purpose. He’s shown them there is a path that they can follow to reach success.
“I believe that Mr. Hood has tried through all of these years to show young people that they have a purpose. There’s something God has for you to do. Many people don’t care or don’t want to know, but he always has tried to show young people that there is a way to go. There is a better way. Be the best you that you can be,” he said.
Justice Court Judge and minister the Bishop LaBaron Hedgemon in his invocation opening the event, said Hood has spent countless weekends, nights and holidays helping local children and serving his community. It is fitting that the community celebrates the dedication of Ricky Hood Sr. Boulevard at the intersection with Terry Street because Hood has also been an intersection for many in the community, Hedgemon said. His work has helped guide countless youth down the right path and put them on track to succeed.
“As we celebrate today, we pray that this day will serve as a day where, Lord, people will begin to acknowledge not only the name, but also the legacy,” he said.
Hood thanked the community for the support it’s shown for his work, his family for making such a career possible and the Boys and Girls Club staff for carrying out their duties in helping local children. The reason why he’s been so deeply involved in the community for so long is simple, Hood said. It’s children like a young boy named Aiden.
Last week, Aiden had to be physically carried out of the club by a staff member, he said. In most places, a young boy wouldn’t be allowed back, but that’s not how the Boys and Girls Club operates. It’s the children who need help, who need people to give them a chance, that are the reason Hood’s career has stretched almost four decades.
“He is smart, he is good, and all he needs is somebody to take a chance on him,” Hood said. “Somebody took a chance on us, and that’s the reason I’m here today is because somebody took a chance on us.”