Community leaders, city officials, and volunteers gathered at Moneta Sleet Jr. Park on Wednesday to unveil six story panels honoring the legacy of the Owensboro native and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist.
The panels, which highlight Sleet’s life, work, and lasting influence, were developed through a collaboration between the Chamber Young Professionals (CYP), the City of Owensboro, and the Parks and Recreation Department.
“This is what happens when people don’t care who gets the credit,” said Candance Brake, president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. “Our community came together to celebrate a man whose story deserves to be told.”
The project traces its roots to the Leadership Owensboro Class of 2021, which created the Through Sleet’s Eyes festival as a class initiative. That festival, first held in 2023, included an exhibit of Sleet’s most iconic photos, a locally produced documentary, and a live performance. It sparked momentum that led to the renaming of the park at Walnut and Seventh streets and, ultimately, the installation of the new educational panels.
Brake praised the efforts of Leadership Owensboro alumni, the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance, and CYP, calling it “a great day of celebrating our community.”
Moneta Sleet Jr. made history in 1969 when he became the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize for journalism with his photograph of Coretta Scott King at the funeral of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His work helped define the Civil Rights era through a powerful lens, capturing figures like Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali, and many others.
Mayor Pro Tem Bob Glenn emphasized the broader importance of recognizing overlooked figures in local history.
“It shouldn’t have been a struggle to recognize greatness,” Glenn said. “We don’t have a person to waste. The story of Moneta Sleet is one that should’ve been told long ago — and now it finally is.”
Emmy Woosley, who chaired the Through Sleet’s Eyes committee and also served as CYP’s Community Development Chair, said the group was intentional about creating panels that would appeal to all ages.
“We decided we needed to show Sleet’s actual photographs,” Woosley said. “Each panel includes one of his photos, context about his life, and a question to spark meaningful conversations among families.”
CYP Chair Jared Revlett said the idea for the story panels came during a meeting at Mellow Mushroom two years ago.
“It’s truly an example of what can happen when a group of people comes together with a shared idea and passion,” Revlett said.
Michael Johnson, a longtime supporter of the project and member of the original Through Sleet’s Eyes committee, said the goal was always to ensure Sleet’s legacy would be recognized in a lasting way.
“He was one of the most influential figures during the Civil Rights movement, and nobody knew,” Johnson said. “We wanted to change that.”
The panels now serve not only as a tribute but as an educational tool for future generations.
“When you understand your history, you know where you’re going,” Johnson said. “Hopefully, a young person will come here, see these images, and be inspired to follow in his footsteps.”
