Recently retired Austin Weekly News and Wednesday Journal photo editor Frank Pinc was honored by two Austin community organizations.

The Westside Branch of NAACP and South Austin Coalition Community Council presented Pinc with plaques of appreciation for the photographic work he has done in the community over the years.

SACCC celebrated 31 years of service to the Austin community with a dinner at the Regency Banquet Hall, 5319 W. Diversey on Nov. 13.

The dinner committee included Rev. Elizabeth Bynum, Lillian Drummond, Dorothy Daniel, Juanita Rutues, Tammy Gear, Delbert Vann, Elce Redmond, Theresa Welch-Davis and Bob Vondrasek.

Pinc said he was humbled by his award and thanked everyone for recognizing him and praised his wife Connie for always supporting him.

He said the people of Austin were some of the warmest and most outgoing people he had the pleasure of photographing over the years and promised he would stay connected with the Austin community.

In addition to Pinc, SAC's community service awardees included Linda Danielson, Nicole Ward, Brad Cummings, DeNarrard Gipson, Lee Edwards, Michael Henry, Allen Cherry, Ruth Nelson, Lupe Fiasco, Arnold Bearden, Hattie Kidd, Catherine Jones, Woodrow Taylor and Missouri Graves.

Meanwhile on Nov. 15, the Westside Branch NAACP held its annual Membership Celebration and Frank Pinc was awarded the organization's Communication Award.

Rev. Johnny Henderson, pastor of Home of Life Missionary Baptist Church, received the Humanitarian Award, while state Senator Kimberly Lightford (D-4th) got the Statesmen Award, and Jessica Bailey and Clayborne Wade took home the Outstanding Youth Award.

Pinc accepted his award and told the audience how he once photographed a gospel music event in Ald. Emma Mitts' 37th Ward. When the commentator said, "I want to thank our white brother for coming out tonight," Pinc thought they were referring to him. "I thought, boy, this is really nice for them to recognize me," he recalled. It wasn't until later he discovered they were thanking the gospel group White Brothers. The audience got a big laugh out of this.

Pinc's oldest son, Christopher, said he was surprised to learn how well thought of his father is in the Austin community.

NAACP Youth Advisor Deborah Williams selected Pinc for the award and said she was very happy to present it to him. Deborah's daughter, Janeicia, presented the Outstanding Youth Award.

Dr. Louverta Hurt gave special recognition to Khalid Johnson, NAACP young political action member, who died this summer.

Pinc extended his thanks to South Austin Coalition Community Council and NAACP for their recognition.