SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WSBT) — Several leaders from the black community are being recognized this week for their impact on the city of South Bend.

The Mayor’s Office is hosting an award ceremony on Thursday.

But before then, we have reactions from some of the recipients.

Meet your 2026 community award winners who stand out for their dedication and service in South Bend.

Several leaders from the black community are being recognized this week for their impact on the city of South Bend. (WSBT Video)

“Well, I’ve been I’ve been living in South Bend all my life, and I’ve been working for 59 years as a barber,” said Cheryl Hayes, South Bend barber and honoree.

Before the start of every school year, Cheryl Hayes gives kids in the area a haircut for free.

A haircut with Hayes is where young and old feel safe enough to share their worries and even open up to life advice that might just stick.

“And I even encouraged a young man to get on the fire department, and he’s still on the fire department to this day,” said Hayes.

Hayes is one of ten such black leaders planting seeds of compassion, creativity and constructive living in South Bend.

Ja’Van Smith, also being honored, is hoping to leave a similar legacy of attention and care for the tenants he manages at Beacon Heights.

Several leaders from the black community are being recognized this week for their impact on the city of South Bend. (WSBT Photo)

“I was like, I’m black history. I guess I am and I am,” said Ja’Van Smith, Beacon Heights Apartments manager and honoree.

Smith is being recognized for several areas of community engagement.

Not the least of which is his unusually high level of concern for the well-being of his tenants.

Several leaders from the black community are being recognized this week for their impact on the city of South Bend. (WSBT Photo)

“We were able to work with Success Academy, and they assisted and evaluating some of the residents who wanted to learn and participate in that program. Then we were able to transition some of them over to the Excel Center. So we have one who’s attending school. She’s getting ready to get her GED,” said Smith.

Leaders being recognized include:

• Cheryl Hayes
• George Jones
• Tina Patton
• Ja’Van Smith
• Tarrah “Micki” Miller
• Maurice Scott Jr.
• Pastor John Ward
• Markus Burton
• Jaraan Cornell
• Jaylon Smith

The three different locations where you can spot the digital billboards are South Bend Avenue and Edison, South Bend Avenue and Ironwood Drive, and South Michigan and Ireland.