The city of South Bend is honoring the city’s black leaders during Black History Month by featuring them on billboards around town.

The 20 leaders featured on the billboards are: Darryl Boykins, John Charles Bryant, Richmond Calvin, Virginia Calvin, Lynn Coleman, Bernice Freeman, Verge “Brother Sage” Gillam, May Lee Johnson, Robert Benjamin Johnson, George McCullough, Gladys Muhammad, Charlotte Pfeifer, Jack Reed, Debra Stanley, Luther Taylor, Lester Townsend, Jake Webster, Clara White, Karen White and Bobbie Woods.

“It’s hard to put it in to words, but anytime someone recognizes and appreciates you for the work that you’ve done, it means a lot,” Lynn Coleman told our news partners ABC 57.

“I don’t do what I do for recognition or honor,” Coleman said. “I do it because it’s right to do and there’s a need.”

Those featured on the billboards will be honored during a reception from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Feb. 29 at Charles Martin Youth Center, 802 Lincoln Way West, South Bend. The entire community is invited to attend the free event.