



BY LOUIS C. WARD
EUSTIS – The honoree, attired in a red sequin dress with three quarter inch red heels, looked elegant and confident when she danced into the Eustis Community Center’s ballroom to Aretha Franklin’s 1970’s hit, “Respect” Saturday evening, August 31st, 2024.
As usual, Vivian Carla Mitchell, the phenomenal woman of the evening, had already engaged her audience, and set the spirit for her celebration for 30 years of leadership at the Eustis African American Heritage Committee.
Linda Shepherd – Miller, the Mistress of Ceremony, who has been positively impacted by Carla Mitchell, said, “Ms. Carla Mitchell has been a legacy in the lives she has touched and the future leaders she has inspired. Ms. Carla has poured her heart and soul into this community to make a difference.”
From her spectacular entrance with her 9-year-old great-grandson Max, until the end of the program, it was all about Vivian Carla Mitchel; and it should have been. The well-known, highly respected, and beloved Ms. Carla, as she is affectionately called, has done much to improve the quality of life for Eustis residents and many others she touched outside the Lake County city for a number of years.
During the evening, many city officials, community leaders, and friends personally made their way to her table to greet her and tell her how much she deserved this celebration, this recognition spotlighting all she has done for the community through the Eustis African American Heritage Committee (EAAHC) and on her own.
“I was so happy to see Ms. Carla recognized for her untiring dedication and compassionate work to the Eustis community.” said Mae Hazelton, who has known Ms. Mitchell for more than 50 years, “Carla is the paragon of the community. She stands for community growth, and its welfare. She loves the community enough to give her very best with everything she does. She’s the best Eustis produced to lead the way to the future.”
“It was truly an honor to celebrate Ms. Vivian “Carla” Mitchell,” said Eustis City Commissioner Willie Hawkins. “She poured into every part of our community as the President of the Eustis African American Heritage Committee as she led with dignity, discipline, and love for over 30 years.”
A very memorable and inspiring family tribute culminated with the presentation of a framed picture of Ms. Carla’s paternal grandmother. Talking about her Mom, Hillary, Ms. Carla’s daughter said, “My Mom is a leader who can be led and a teacher who can be taught. She’s very opinionated and we call her Ms. Full Charge.”
Eustis Mayor Michael Holland showed up with the entire Eustis City Commission, Chiefs of the Fire and Police Departments and presented a proclamation naming August 31st Carla Mitchell Day. “Cities are built for people like you, Ms. Mitchell and we recognized you for your compassion for unity, empowering our youth, and coming together as a community,” said Mayor Holland.
Providing insight into the history of the EAAHC, Ms. Kim Garry said, “It was a very horrific tragedy that gave birth to the organization back in 1994. In an effort for healing, Ms. Patricia Monroe Wright, Carla Mitchell and myself decided to have a parade and march down Bates Avenue. The rest is history, and Carla Mitchell and the organization “never lost sight of its mission. That’s what kept us going.”
“Carla Mitchell,” Ms. Garry said, “Symbolizes an oak tree. Oak trees are no more than an acorn that stands its ground.”
Great granddaughter Journey said, “You’re the best grandmother I could ever ask for. You’ve been there for me when I was lonely and congratulated me when I achieved. I love you!”
“Ms. Carla is a dreamer. She has the ability to energize people in the community to make things happen”, said Alvin Jackson. “In 1943, God made Carla. She’s a giver. I can never repay you.”
David Cunningham said, “Carla Mitchell is the strongest person in the community. Her level of honesty and integrity is hard to find. In my dark moments, Ms. Mitchell was there. You can’t buy that; you can’t teach that. Eustis has become a better community because of Carla Mitchell.”
“It was an evening fit for a queen, “stated Ms. Mollie Cunningham, President of Lake County School Board. “Mrs. Carla Mitchell was honored on Saturday night. It was an evening overflowing with love and gratitude for a truly Phenomenal woman.”
Vocalists Monique Smith Meyers and Tanya Wilder enhanced the evening with their performances of rhythm and blues songs. Ms. Wilder’s solo dedication, however, customized rendition of “I Did It My Way” was classy, very relevant to the Lady of the Evening, Ms. Carla Mitchell, who knew Tanya, a next door neighbor, since she was born. And the bond between the families was apparently meaningful in the way she sang, ending the song with “You did your way!” Everyone stood up with resounding applause.
“Saturday night the community gave back to Ms. Carla the love she has so graciously shown throughout the years. We are a stronger community because of her and we thank her.”
Very heartfelt and well said Mr. Willie Hawkins.
“I had a wonderful time. I am humble to know that so many people showed up and shared this wonderful occasion with me and my family”, Ms. Mitchell said.
Ms. Carla Mitchell’s plans for the future: “I’ll sit back and boss people around.”