Brown was a teacher, first at Fort Dodge Senior High School and later at Iowa Central Community College.

Washington has recorded the history of the local Black community. She also played a leading role in recruiting Black teachers to Fort Dodge.

Their record of service is now being honored in a distinctly Fort Dodge manner — they have been named the grand marshals of the Frontier Days celebration set for June 6-8.

Brown and Washington were presented with their cavalry style hats designating them as the grand marshals Wednesday evening at the Trading Post at the Fort Museum and Frontier Village.

“You have been great for the community and that’s what the grand marshals are supposed to be – someone who has served the community,” said Deb Davis, executive director of the Fort Museum and Frontier Village.

Traditionally, the Frontier Days committee has surprised the chosen grand marshals, often by showing up at their workplace to present the hats. Wednesday’s presentation was not a surprise, however. Brown and Washington knew exactly why they were invited to the Trading Post.

The duo will be seen wearing their hats as they lead the rerouted parade down First Avenue North and Central Avenue on June 7. They will also be on hand for the June 6 opening ceremony and other Frontier Days events throughout the weekend.

Judge Brown

Brown is a native of North Carolina. He was the first of his family to go to college, graduating from North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina. He is an Army veteran of the Vietnam War.

He earned a master’s degree in American history from North Carolina Central, then joined the faculty at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri.

In 1977, he came to Fort Dodge and began teaching at Fort Dodge Senior High School. He taught there for nine years. He later worked for the Iowa Department of Education as a school integration and multicultural integration consultant.

Brown returned to Fort Dodge to teach at Iowa Central, where he taught for 19 years.

Since retiring, he regularly volunteers at Friendship Haven. He has also volunteered with Webster County Crime Stoppers and the African-American Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids.

He received the LeadingAge Iowa Volunteer of the Year Award in 2021.

Charlene Washington

It’s easy to spot the image of Charlene Washington on the northwest side of Fort Dodge.

Her image is one of five likenesses of local residents painted on the 110-tall grain silos on Hawkeye Avenue.

Washington, a native of Mississippi, is now the local expert on the history of Black Americans in Fort Dodge. She has compiled four thick books on that history, based on newspaper articles, other publications and her notes and research.

In the early 1970s, she led an effort to encourage the recruitment and hiring of Black teachers for the Fort Dodge Community School District.

Washington moved to Fort Dodge in 1964. She initially worked as a nurse’s aide. She then worked for 44 years at Fort Dodge Laboratories.