Rev. Natalie Wimberly honored with Helen Wright Prince Award
There weren’t many dry eyes at Peconic Landing’s Community Center Thursday night as the Rev. Natalie Wimberly received the 2026 Helen Wright Prince Award from the Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force for her community service — which is celebrating it’s 10th year presenting the award.
The senior pastor of Clinton Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in Greenport — which is celebrating its 102nd anniversary this year — has inspired North Fork residents since 2016 through her work promoting racial healing, fostering inclusion and bringing people together.
“I arrived here in 2016, uncertain as to what it is that I was supposed to do,” the Rev. Wimberly said. “I stand here today with my heart so filled with gratitude and thanksgiving for each and every one of you that are here tonight. To those of you who traveled far, to those of you who traveled near, thank you for honoring this little girl from Indianapolis, Indiana, who had no idea that she would still be in New York 25 years later.”
The ceremony marked the 10th anniversary of the award, which recognizes community members whose work reflects the legacy of Ms. Prince, a North Fork educator who began teaching children of migrant farmworkers in the 1950s after recognizing they lacked educational opportunities.
Among those in attendance were Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski, Greenport Mayor Kevin Stuessi, Suffolk County Legislator Greg Doroski and several Southold Town Board members.
Mr. Stuessi praised the Rev. Wimberly for strengthening community ties through her work promoting Juneteenth and organizing a memorial vigil for George Floyd during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said she has helped residents learn more about history, celebrate diversity and build relationships through quieter acts of guidance and support.
“One of those folks who has been one of the best helpers in our community is Rev. Wimberly,” Mr. Stuessi said. “While she’s a very vocal person and she tells it the way it is, there are many quiet moments where her leadership is tapping somebody on the shoulder and saying, ‘Have you thought about this or have you done that?’ Sometimes those moments are even more important.”
For the past three years, Clinton Memorial and Coming to the Table have organized a major Juneteenth celebration and parade in Greenport. The Rev. Wimberly is a co-founder of the North Fork chapter of Coming to the Table, a national organization focused on racial reconciliation and healing.
After remarks from Anti-Bias Task Force co-chairs Emily Geiger and Sylvia Daley, task force member Carolyn Peabody and Southold Town Councilwoman Anne Smith, community members shared stories about the Rev. Wimberly.
Multiple speakers referenced Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of “beloved community,” where people work across racial and cultural differences to pursue justice, equality and mutual understanding. The Rev. Wimberly said building that community requires residents to confront injustice, support those whose voices have been overlooked and make room for everyone.
“My wife passed a year ago on Oct. 25,” said Mattituck resident LeRoy Heyliger, 92, who is a North Fork community leader and U.S. Air Force veteran. “She always inspired me with a beloved community that Martin Luther King talked about, and that’s what we are. We are a beloved community.”
Photos by Nick Mongiovi
