- January 6, 2026
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune used to call her students her black roses.
This was after the civil rights activist and founder of Bethune-Cookman University spotted a black velvet rose in a garden in Switzerland, growing among roses of a variety of different colors.
"She said what was so great about that is that every rose was proud of who they were," Grimes said.
The black rose became an important symbol for Bethune, eventually being incorporated into her marble statue, installed in 2022, in the National Statuary Hall State Collection in the U.S. Capitol.
So when B-CU administration was putting together an angel tree for this past Christmas, they called it the Black Rose Angel Tree. It was a message to the 100 students whom the tree supported — 50 from Campbell Middle School and 50 from Turie T. Elementary — that the administration cared for them, said Grimes, who works as the director of Protocol for B-CU.
"All of us are so precious that we must work to make every group, every person, feel important in their own being," Grimes said.
It's a mission Grimes, an Ormond Beach resident, has been working on for decades.
Originally from South Florida, Grimes came to Volusia County in 1966 to study at B-CU. After graduating, she worked in local government and then for the late U.S. Congressman Clay Shaw. When the opportunity came to return to B-CU as a consultant in 1988, she accepted the challenge. Eventually, she became director of protocol.
Her first retirement happened in 2005. But after a new university president was installed, she returned to her work in 2012. In 2019, she retired again.
She returned to her position once again after B-CU installed its current president: Dr. Albert Mosley.
What keeps her coming back?
"The love for the university," Grimes said. "The great legacy of the founder. Her commitment to be about making a difference in the lives of people, and that is something that is really important to me. How can I be a part of making a difference in the lives of people?"
Grimes was nominated for a Standing O by Belinda Davis, founder and executive director of Healthier. Wealthier. Wiser. Inc. Davis said she's always admired Grimes as a pillar of the community.
"While most senior citizens have decided to complete their works by relaxing and traveling, Mrs. Grimes stays committed to assuring our community stays a place where youth, families and students will have a place to thrive for years to come," Davis said.
Most of all, she added, Davis admires her passion and energy. It reminds her of the Scripture at Psalm 92:11, she said: "Even in old age, they will still produce fruit, they will remain vital and green."
Education and community service are at the center of Grimes' efforts. Like Bethune, she believes that every child should have an opportunity to be educated and is part of the Volusia County African American Leadership Council, where she serves as CEO. As part of their community efforts, the organization works with Volusia County Schools to help advocate for the needs of inner city children and their parents.
Such as turning the library at the old Turie T. campus into an after school enrichment program, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Volusia/ Flagler Counties. Once in place, the programs will help students address learning gaps in reading, math and STEM, as well as social needs.
While most senior citizens have decided to complete their works by relaxing and traveling, Mrs. Grimes stays committed to assuring our community stays a place where youth, families and students will have a place to thrive for years to come." — BELINDA DAVIS, 2025 Standing O
As a Christian and a political conservative, Grimes said she believes community support
programs and initiatives does not mean one can't be fiscally responsible.
At the recent B-CU Christmas party for students, administration gave each of them gift cards. The funds came from university employees who wished to give back. B-CU also helped 137 families have a Thanksgiving dinner last year.
"I think you can have it all," she said. "I want to be that voice that continues to say we must be concerned about those that are left out."
Grimes is also involved with the Volusia Remembers Coalition, which is part of The Civitas Project in partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative. The coalition works to recognize victims of lynchings in Volusia County. They install markers where the lynchings occurred and dig up some dirt, place it in a jar, and ship it to the EJI Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama.
"I got involved with that because I felt we needed to recognize and we needed to heal," Grimes said. "We needed to talk about it."
Last September, the Volusia Remembers Coalition dedicated a marker in DeLand to Lee Bailey, a Black man lynched in 1891. According to the historical marker, Bailey was killed by a white mob after a white woman reported she had been assaulted, though she had difficulty identifying a perpetrator. The marker states Bailey had been recently employed by her husband and was quickly accused.
While some may shy away from talking about these aspects of the country's past history, Grimes said she believes it's important to acknowledge them in order to improve.
"I tell people all the time that the best thing that we can say about this country is that when we see something wrong, we work to correct it," Grimes said. "We should never put it under the table and that's the greatness about America."
Grimes said that it was while she was working as an aide for Congressman Clay Shaw that she saw firsthand the impact people can have when speaking out.
"I learned from him that when we say, 'We the people' — We the people must have a voice and we must speak out," Grimes said. "Elected officials only will do what they are allowed to do when the people are silent. So from that, I learned that I must speak out and try to have a voice and say, 'Let's look at it another way.'"
It's about bringing people to the table, she said. Her mother used to do that. They were a family of 11.
"Eleven children — there's always differences," Grimes said. "And she and my dad would sit everybody down and say, 'OK, let's talk about this.' When you want to do the right thing, if you sit at the table, nine out of 10 [times], you're going to come up with what is best."
Her family also taught her the importance of education. Growing up during a time of segregation, education was the key to a better life, Grimes said.
The best piece of advice she was ever given was to stay true to herself.
"I know I've lived my life like that," Grimes said. "Misunderstood many times, but I've tried to be true to who I am."
And, Grimes said, she is someone who believes in diversity and inclusion of multiethnic groups. Bethune believed in giving back and as director of protocol, Grimes said it's her job to support these initiatives.
"God always works it out," she said. "That's why I know that if I always stay focused on it's not about me, the Lord will pick up the pieces."
