The success of a community can be tied to the accomplishments of the individuals that call it home. These individuals inspire others to achieve greatness or trailblaze a path for others to be successful.
In 2020 the Port Huron Museums created The Stanley Legacy Wall within the Carnegie Museum to showcase and celebrate individuals from the African American community within their facility. Resident, Haran Stanley partnered with the museum with the idea to honor her grandmother Marguerite Stanley, an author, historian, and key figure in the local community who later passed away in August 2022.
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Audience members attending the Stanley Wall induction ceremony held at the Carnegie Museum.
The Stanley Legacy Wall grew not only to honor the achievements of Marguerite Stanley but also to honor and celebrate members of the local African American Community. This year the Port Huron Museums held an induction celebration to recognize and include four individuals who have contributed to the city of Port Huron in their unique ways establishing a legacy for years to come.
The celebration surprised those being inducted which was reflected in their acceptance speeches. The surprise and joy brought some of the nominees to tears. The ceremony concluded with an unveiling of their names added to the Stanley Legacy Wall with a unique leaf-shaped design.
Take a look at each of the newest inductees to learn more about their lives and legacy in Port Huron.
Keith Rivers
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Keith Rivers (middle) poses with two of his children, Kyle (left) and Shea (right) Rivers
A lifelong resident of Port Huron, Keith Rivers spent his early years serving our country in the U.S. Marine Corps, and the Army National Guard. After his time in the military, Rivers started a theater program in 1987 which lasted approximately one year.
In 1997 he started his most beloved initiative, the Cheetah program, from 1997 until 2006. During that time he also ran an open gym at Holland Woods Middle School to provide local kids with something to do and keep them off the streets.
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Keith Rivers, Sr. was inducted into the Stanley Legacy Wall.
“The basketball program was something I decided to do to give the kids an activity mainly on Friday nights so they’re not out getting into trouble on the streets, it was a good time. We also had a basketball program with traveling teams for a period of time as well,” Rivers says.
The Cheetah program was dedicated to students involved in track & field to develop their skills. Although the program began small, it grew much bigger than Rivers initially planned.
“The Cheetah program began with me teaching my son proper techniques for him to excel in his time running track. One day his friend asked if he could join us and then other students caught wind and it eventually went from ten kids to over one hundred. I would teach them that it isn’t about beating the other team, but beating yourself, and improving on your own time and performance in the race,” Rivers says.
Under River's tutelage, his teams went on to compete in the Hershey’s Track and Field Games North American Finals, with his relay teams winning the State finals in multiple years.
Michele Winfield
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Michele Winfield points out her name on the Stanley Legacy Wall.
Another inductee recognized for her contribution to local sports is Michele Winfield. In 1995 Winfield became a certified USPTA (United States Professional Tennis Association) teacher at the Port Huron Tennis House and taught at the organization for 28 years before retiring.
Before teaching, Winfield herself was a star tennis player who broke down barriers in the sport as she climbed the ranks as one of the top local players. The humble and somewhat shy Winfield shared her feelings on being selected as the latest Stanley Legacy Wall addition.
“I'm grateful I was selected, honored, surprised. I don’t do things to be recognized in that manner, I just do the things I love to do, but if the end result is being recognized by your peers that is definitely a big plus,” Winfield says.
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Michele Winfield was inducted into the Stanley Legacy Wall.
In 1982, Winfield won the Women’s Open Tennis Championship in the 25th annual Francis J. Robinson Memorial Tennis Tournament at Sanborn Park. She was the first African American woman to win an open title. She also finished second in the St. Clair County Community College Flight Singles Tournament that same year.
“I think by being a person of color in tennis, my goal is to inspire them to take up the sport because when I was playing there weren’t any black women players, so I went up against a lot of male players at that time, we now have the Williams sisters who made the game more acceptable and piqued the interest of more black players so that is definitely a good thing for the sport,” Winfield says.
Carl E. Miller
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Pastor Carl Miller Sr. wipes away tears from the joy and surprise of being inducted into the Stanley Legacy Wall.
Leading the opening prayer for the Stanley Legacy Wall Inductee Celebration was another lifelong resident of Port Huron, Carl E. Miller Sr. At the time, he had no idea he was chosen as one of the newest additions to grace the Stanley Legacy Wall. When he was called to give his speech, Miller held back tears of joy as he addressed the crowd gathered in his honor.
“I was overwhelmed, as I had no idea that was happening at the time, but I felt honored that someone saw me in that light. You want to be a good person and have people think well of you, but I guess when it hits you in the face like that it definitely overwhelms you and I really appreciate it,” Miller says.
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Pastor Carl Miller, Sr was inducted into the Stanley Legacy Wall.
As Pastor of Restoration Christian Community Church (RC3) for the past 20 years, Miller has been responsible for countless outreach programs that have helped enhance and touch the lives of many individuals in the community through various ministries such as their Mission Ministry, Youth Before and After School Programming, Harvest Festival, Jail Ministry and other spiritually based programs.
“My desire in starting RC3 was to encourage someone to be better, that’s one of the reasons I called it a community church. I wanted to be able to help people, to edify them, and make them fully aware of who they are. More than any other accomplishment in my life I am most proud and satisfied with being a productive citizen in the community and helping others become better individuals,” Miller says.
Marilyn “M&M” Moncrief
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Marilyn Moncrief points out her name on the Stanley Legacy Wall.
The final inductee to the Stanley Legacy Wall is Marilyn “M&M” Moncrief. A woman of many talents, Moncrief has been a nurse for the past 58 years. She also served as Chaplain for Lake Huron Medical for eight years and currently holds the role of Associate Pastor at C4Yourself Church.
Moncrief is also an actress who has been performing, producing, and writing plays since the age of 16. The 76-year-old Moncrief still performs for Enter Stage Right and New Beginnings Theater in Port Huron.
“I love acting, it helps get rid of the stress that comes with nursing, but don’t get me wrong, I truly love nursing. I love taking care of people, it’s just something I love to do that God has put in my heart,” Moncrief says.
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Marilyn Moncrief was inducted into the Stanley Legacy Wall.
Her professional positions over the years have led her to meet, and positively impact the lives of many individuals within the community. She, along with the other inductees has an overwhelming spirit of humility.
“I know what my assignment from God is, it’s to be a voice for people who have no voice. Being a voice for others doesn’t mean that you’re in the limelight, it means you’re a servant, and I’m a servant of the Most High,” Moncrief says.