Great Mrs. Mildred Wilkerson
Lake Sunset - The people in a neighborhood are what make it so special, and the indelible impression Clarence and Mildred Wilkerson left on the Orlando community of West Lakes will not soon be forgotten.
In the 1950s, after earning degrees at Florida A&M University and getting married, the Wilkersons moved to West Lakes to build their first home because a friend told them it was a thriving area great for raising a family. In a short time, they found that to be true. They met other young professionals who had similar dreams and “embraced the concept of community and looking out for each other,” said Mrs. Mildred Wilkerson. In 62 years in their cozy lakeside home, the Wilkersons built a life that many would say epitomizes the American dream.
In their favorite West Lakes memory, Mrs. Wilkerson recalls when the neighbors banded together to write a City of Orlando $5,000 matching grant to renovate 15 homes for the elderly and disabled. With Mildred Wilkerson as the president, they raised more than $300,000 with help from corporate partners. The project replaced windows, installed central A/C, renovated bathrooms and kitchens, and built railing in the homes. Because of the success of the project, West Lakes became the first city in Florida to win the national Neighborhood of the Year Award in 1998 by Neighborhoods USA. Mrs. Wilkerson says she is pleased such progress continues there.
“I am very excited about the progress of West Lakes communities that I have seen in the last 10 years,” said Mrs. Wilkerson. “I am very excited to see a wellness center in the community that serves the 32805 zip code by providing convenient access to neighbors for health, finance and lifestyle services under one roof, regardless of insurance coverage. The Lift Orlando Projects have been a great asset to the community,” she added, referencing the upcoming senior citizens homes and current Boys and Girls Club.
Looking to the future, Mrs. Wilkerson says, “My wish is that the neighbors will continue to work together and maintain West Lakes’ integrity and look out for each other.”
Mr. Wilkerson transitioned in 2020 and Mrs. Wilkerson continued to live in Lake Sunset/Luola Terrace for a short while thereafter. In their 62 years as West Lakes community leaders, Clarence and Mildred Wilkerson encouraged generations with their tenacity and professional drive. A lot of the younger residents who looked up to them, including their son and daughter Clarence and Clarice, have graduated from college and are successful in their own rights. That generation drew from several of the Wilkersons’ successes, which were numerous.
Clarence O. Wilkerson, Sr.
Clarence O. Wilkerson, Sr., dedicated several years to community, educational and professional organizations. He retired from the Orange County Public School System in 1994 where he devoted 38 ½ years to the system as a Science teacher, spending 27 ½ of those years spent at Walker Middle School. His most notable educational recognition is where the administration and community of Walker Middle School, along with the Orange County School Board, named the new science building at Walker Middle School “The Clarence Wilkerson Science Building” for his dedication and commitment to the students he taught. Many organizations recognized Wilkerson for outstanding service including the National Education Association, Orange County School Board, Orange County Teachers Association, Florida Teachers Association, and in 2012, he received a “Gift of Teaching Award'' from the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. Beta Xi Chapter.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and City Commissioners acknowledged Mr. Wilkerson during a City of Orlando Council meeting for serving over 57 ½ years as a sports official, officiating football and basketball. Mr. Wilkerson was among several officials inducted into the “First Class” of Central Florida Official’s Association’s Hall of Fame in 2008.
Mr. Wilkerson’s dedicated years of service as an active member with the Lake Sunset/Luola Terrace Homeowners Association. He played an active role along with his wife, Mildred, in winning the 1998 National Neighborhood of the Year Grand Prize at the Annual Conference in Portland Oregon. Along with his remarkable list of accomplishments and activities, Mr. Wilkerson received recognition by Orlando's Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., for more than 60 years of lifetime service.
Mildred L. Wilkerson
Mildred L. Wilkerson is truly a trailblazer who has dedicated many years of service to the Central Florida Community and various organizations. She is a retired educator of 33 years from the Orange County Public School District. As a leader in the educational realm, Mrs. Wilkerson served as president of Phi Delta Kappa Beta Xi Chapter Sorority. During her tenure, she led various educational initiatives including writing and receiving a grant to focus on working with parents at economically challenged schools. She coordinated fundraisers, such as, obtaining a scholarship for supporting youth academic needs. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association.
Mrs. Wilkerson’s leadership in the community has included serving as president of Lake Sunset/Luola Terrace Homeowners Association. During her tenure, in 1998, the “National Neighborhood of the Year'' was awarded to this Homeowner’s association for representing the City of Orlando. It was received in Portland, Oregon. Mrs. Wilkerson has led efforts such as banding together neighborhood residents to write a Mayor’s Neighborhood Grant proposal to repair and landscape 15 homes in the community through Project Home Improvement for the elderly and disabled.
For six consecutive years, Mrs. Wilkerson spearheaded the formation of a partnership between the Lake Sunset/Luola Terrance Homeowners Association and Orange Center Elementary School and received a Mayor’s Educational Partnership Grant. The Mayor’s Grants provided the following programs and activities: self-esteem workshops, parenting seminars, extended-day programs, educational field trips, health seminars, computers and printers for the school’s computer lab, and books. This initiative led to great academic gains in students’ math and reading FCAT performances.
Mrs. Wilkerson’s Recognitions and Awards include:
1998 – President of Lake Sunset/Luola Terrace Association, winner of the “National Neighborhood of the Year.” Received award in Portland, Oregon, representing the City of Orlando.
2001 – Received Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for outstanding and invaluable service to the community given by Congresswoman Corrine Brown.
2001 – Selected as an Olympic Torchbearer for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Torch Relay event.
2004 – Received Onyx Award for Humanitarian Service that honors individuals who have focused efforts toward the promotion of peace, humanitarianism, social progress, and /or human understanding on a giant level.
2005 - Life Member of National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. and received the sorority’s Achievement Award.
2007 - Phi Delta Kappa Beta Xi Chapter “Soror of the Year” and a YES Soror with her focus on Youth, Education and Service to God, All Mankind and her sorority.
2010 – She was recognized by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority as a “Legend “ and received an award for her years of service and commitment.
In summarizing Mrs. Wilkerson’s many years of committed service, she is truly a trailblazer, a mover and a shaker, a community activist, a caring soul, and a phenomenal woman on a mission to improve the lives of others.
