“We’re celebrating 50 years since the first five black City Council Persons entered these Chambers.” Macon-Bibb County – and former Macon City Council Member – Reverend Dr. Henry Ficklin announced to the applause of more than 70 people gathered in those same Chambers.

The event kicked off one of several that day as part of the 50th Legacy Celebration to recognize and honor the Fantasy Five, as these first Council Members are called: Willie C. Hill, Vernon Colbert, Julius Vinson, Delores Brooks, and Rev. Eddie D. Smith. They were – and still are, to this day – celebrated for the pioneering spirit and forward thinking that opened the doors to a more inclusive political environment and opportunities for a new generation of civic leaders.

That morning, the group heard proclamations from Mayor Lester M. Miller recognizing the five Council Members and Dr. Harold Michael Harvey, who organized the day’s events, wrote a book on the five Council Members, and continues to work to help keep their legacy alive. Family members for each of the Fantasy Five were invited forward to receive their own proclamation.

“For sure, you can go home to a familiar place,” said Dr. Harold Michael Harvey said to the group, referring to the Macon and the Chamber in which they all gathered. He gave them an oral history of what political activism was like at that time and what challenges they faced in fighting for what was right.

“While at times, we all may disagree on specific topics, our community is better for us having a diversity of opinions and experiences by which to make decisions,” Mayor Miller says of the importance of having an inclusive political environment. “What we do here in this Chamber and out in the community impacts so many people and so many lives, and I want to thank Dr. Harvey and celebrate the Fantasy Five for helping move our community forward.”

“Without the Fantasy Five, the lives of so many people would be different today,” says Dr. Ficklin, who followed Reverend Smith as a Council Member and served 30 years in that role. “Thanks to them, doors were opened to my colleagues and to me so that we could bring about important and necessary change in Macon.”

That day’s celebrations were organized and led by Dr. Harold Michael Harvey, who was a political activist at the time, advocating for paved streets and a new recreation center. Mayor Miller, as part of the presentation of his proclamation, thanked him for picking up the mantle of the Fantasy Five to carry forward and for his long history of civic engagement.