The City of Odessa recognized the following during Black History Month. They are:
Mike Parrish is the City of Odessa’s Director of Information and has been with the city for many years.
Parrish’s passion for technology came from tinkering with electronics out of necessity. He laughs about how he and his brother would often mess up his first computer, which of course took money to fix. So after spending enough money on it, he learned how to fix it himself. He always stays on top of the latest technology trends and says the more technology evolves, the easier it makes life in technology support.
In his family, Parrish says the most important things are faith, resiliency, and pride. Once they put their mind to something, they are going to work hard to accomplish it and make it happen! He attributes that to the roots of the African American Culture.
Faith, music, and good food – Parrish is a huge fan of his family’s “Soul Food”. Some of his favorite items: cornbread, catfish, and sweet potato pie.
Cpl. Christopher Mabry has been with the Odessa Police Department since July 2014. He has worked in patrol, was a Fleet Coordinator, and is currently in the Traffic unit. Mabry was born and raised in Eastern Colorado. He says that his father inspired him to join law enforcement. When he is not serving our community, he spends time with his wonderful family.
Lakeisha Taylor is the Citizen Liaison for the City of Odessa and is quite well known in the community for the joyous and friendly greetings she gives to all those visiting City Hall.
Taylor started working for the City of Odessa on July of 2018. Taylor was born in Lubbock, but was raised in Odessa. She is a graduate of Permian High School. She has two lovely boys and two grandchildren.
Taylor is always striving to improve her skills and setting higher goals for herself, and to live life to the fullest. She believes we all should take time to live, laugh and love.
Taylor ’s favorite things about Odessa are the people and her job as Citizen Liaison. She loves to greet people and to do her best to make their journey to City Hall an easy and successful one. Lakeisha was the Employee of the Year for 2022.
Celestina “Lettie” Frasier graduated from Permian High School and Aladdin Beauty College. She’s the owner of Lettie’s Hair Studio & Get It Together at Lettie’s.
Her amazing work has gotten her noticed. In fact, she has been featured in numerous magazines and has competed in Atlanta and Houston Hair Shows. She also writes books and will be opening Jessie Lee’s Beauty and Barber Academy.
Dr. James J. Bolton is the Science Department Chair and Professor at Odessa College. He is also the pastor of St James MBC Odessa.
He graduated from Wiley College (Home of “The Great Debaters”) in Marshall and studied abroad in the Dominican Republic. He received his Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Molecular Biology.
Even though Bolton is a Molecular Biologist by training and education, his passion is preaching. He has been involved in ministry for more than 18 years, and was ordained in 2000. He volunteered every Thursday at a juvenile detention center, motivating the youth and offering words of hope.
When not involved in ministry work, Bolton enjoys spending time with family. One of his favorite pastimes is eating BBQ rib tips and drinking ginger ale while watching a few episodes of Good Times.
Jackie Johnson started out in the oil and gas industry. He worked hard and his dream of owning his own business became a reality.
He is the CEO/Owner of Alpha & Omega Contract Sales & Consulting Inc which is located on 300 S. Grant Avenue.
He also does so much for the community to make a difference. His community service snapshot includes: Boys & Girls Club of Odessa – Board of Directors, president; Harmony Home Children’s Advocacy Center, board member; Impact City Church, board member; and One Objective (nonprofit helps families in need), board member.
Edward E. Williams graduated from Ector High School graduate and was Salutatorian of his class.
Williams also attended UT and played football for the Longhorns. He was also the second round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 1984 and played in Super Bowl XX in 1986.
His family operates Williams Paving and Excavation in Odessa. He’s a long-time member of Living Vision Ministries.
