Californian returning to Florala as guest speaker

When Demetrius Henderson thinks about growing up in Florala, his favorite memories are playing Florala High School sports and playing basketball at the Carver Community Center.

This weekend, the California resident is coming home to pay tribute to that center as the guest speaker for its Black History Gala, set for 5 p.m. Saturday.

“I really want to bring awareness to the Carver Community Center and the importance of supporting programs like these,” Henderson said this week. “My hope is to see the community gather to recognize the significant impact that organizations like the Carver Community Center have in lives, from the children to the seniors in the community.”

Henderson began playing community sports at age 5, and by the time he graduated from FHS in 2001, he earned a scholarship to attend Tusculum College in Greenville, Tenn., later transferring to Alabama State University.

He and his wife, Candace, moved to California after she accepted a job placement there. Henderson is the founder and owner of Henderson Flooring Installations in San Diego. The company specializes in athletic flooring and equipment.

“We install just about everything you would see in a gym,” he said. Growing up in Florala, he attended St. John Baptist Church, Damascus and West Side Baptist Churches. At present, he is head deacon at Open Door Family Worship Center in San Diego. Henderson continues to maintain close relationships with his friends and family members in the Florala community and visits as often as possible. Although he lives in California, he said, “Florala, Alabama will always be home.”

Tickets to Saturday night’s event are $15. The dinner will be held at Faith Deliverance Apostolic Auditorium, 21106 Kickapoo Ave., Lockhart, Ala. For more information contact Hazel Lee at 334-328-8952.