A Tampa man is being honored for his longtime service to the community.
James A. Hammond's influence can be seen throughout the city, and now he's being recognized for it.
Hammond's life started from humble beginnings, shining shoes in Ybor City.
“I’d spend the day up there trying to make a nickel," he said.
But Hammond went on to do great things, and give back to his community.
“I didn’t see anybody that looked like me getting significant jobs and that was disturbing to me and immediately said how can we change this situation," he said.
That's when the college graduate and Army veteran got to work founding the Tampa Hillsborough Action Plan Group, or THAP.
The non-profit provides opportunities to thousands in the Tampa/Hillsborough area. The goal is to end the cycle of poverty in the community.
“All people can be a part of what we are trying to do because we want to help people who want a job, education and people who want to expand businesses," Hammond said.
But the 84-year-old man's impact expands far beyond his work at THAP. Back in the 1960s, he sued the University of Tampa to allow minorities to take classes.
“He said, 'I’m sorry but colored people can’t come to this university,' and I said, 'What? You must be out of your mind.'"
Hammond also started a training program to help minorities find work outside of low-paying jobs.
"To this day I see people who say ‘Mr. Hammond, you got me my first job,’” he said.
And with the work of his past continuing to make an impact on the future, Hammond looks forward to continuing to make a difference.