In 2016, an anonymous gift was made in memory of Landy Teller. The gift was meant to start an endowment that would fund an award that would be presented to an individual who contributes to culture and the arts in Vicksburg. The Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation (SCHF) did this, and the first award was presented in 2017.

This year’s award was presented to Teller’s son, Blake Teller, during the SCHF’s 30th anniversary celebration in November.

Blake Teller is a third-generation attorney who has practiced law in Vicksburg for more than 30 years. A former president of the Mississippi Bar, Blake Teller is a member of the state’s law community and is heavily involved in the Vicksburg and Warren County communities. He has served as president on the Board of Directors of the United Way of West Central Mississippi; as Rotary Club president; president of the YMCA Board of Directors; and Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce president.

Blake Teller is married to Stacey Mills of Jackson, and they have three children, Morgan Elizabeth, Barrett Mills, and Brandon Blake. ​​The Tellers are members of First Presbyterian Church in Vicksburg, where Blake serves as an elder.

Blake Teller said he is honored to be this year’s choice for the award.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized with this award named after my father who, along with many others, had the vision to protect this place, seeing the value of the facility and opportunity to provide our community and visitors exposure to Southern culture in so many ways,” he said. “I feel privileged to serve the SCHF any way I can.”

Blake receiving the award named after his father made this year’s presentation special, SCHF officials said.

“Landy Teller was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation and in the early days when there were just a few of us who believed in the crazy notion that you could turn a block of buildings into a cultural center that could support itself, he was a rock,” said Nancy Bell, president of SCHF Board. “He believed that it needed to be done and could be done and because his counsel was so well respected, he was able to encourage those people who we needed in order to make the project a success, to get on board. Landy was always available to answer legal questions, to write contracts, or to provide whatever support he could to all of our directors. He always had an encouraging word for our staff. We would not be where we are today without the leadership of Landy Teller.”