Throughout the life of Reverend Greg Roberts, he demonstrated a passion for people and community. Rooted in the Pan African Orthodox Christian Church, Rev. Roberts found his identity and understanding of his gift for helping urban communities leverage social, political and economic power through advocacy and participation to create positive change.

It is in recognition of Rev. Robert's tremendous commitment and dedication to a life of public service, and also a desire to keep his memory alive by honoring others who have demonstrated a similar passion to do good works, that the Reverend Greg Roberts Legacy Award was created. Rev. Roberts' love for his community was rooted in a fervent desire to help young people and the underserved. As such, his tenacity, hard work and loyalty leveraged a plethora of programs and partnerships in urban communities throughout Michigan.

"Because he was so important to us. Because he stood for, in my mind, equality, dignity, self -determination. There are very few positive words that don't describe Greg Roberts. He truly was a gift to the County and a gift to the State. We thought it made an awful lot of sense to create the Greg Roberts Legacy Award," said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans at the 2019 State of the County Address Thursday evening when presenting the award to its first recipient, Dr. Charles G. Adams.

Dr. Adams, Pastor of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church for five decades since 1969, has lived an incredible life of dedication and service as well as individual accomplishment. His sacrifice empowered and transformed thousands of lives. Dr. Adams strongly believed in loving his neighbor as himself. Consequently, he spent tireless hours working with state, federal and local officials to create numerous job, housing, education and other opportunities to benefit not only his congregation, but also the underprivileged communities throughout Southeast Michigan.

"Dr. Adams has been a tremendous man of the community and man of God for many, many years, "said Executive Evans. "His accomplishments are significant. He's one of the greatest orators that I've ever heard in my life. And his accomplishments are not only local but nationwide."

It is for these reasons that Dr. Adams was presented with the inaugural Reverend Greg Roberts Legacy Award on the evening of March 14, 2019, which was held at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn.