The Roanoke Branch NAACP will present its annual Jubilee Day program at 12:00 noon on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 at Mount Zion AME Church located at 2128 Melrose Ave. in NW.
The Jubilee Day program branches across the country to commemorate the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. There will be a performance by the 2024 ACT-SO Olympian, Shamyila Dungee and music rendered by Minister Milton Hardy Jr.
This year’s speaker is Pastor Stephanie R. Clark, an ordained minister, prolific teacher, anointed psalmist, riveting motivational speaker, and devoted community activist. Pastor Clark is a native of Covington, VA, where her parents, Marvin and Carolyn Ross, raised and nurtured her in the Lord. At an early age, both her parents and church family esteemed her gift as a psalmist. Her fondest memories are singing gospel solos at “The Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ,” where she was baptized.
Pastor Clark received her Evangelist license from the Church of God in Christ under the late Bishop W. L. Hunter Sr. who taught her music and mentored her in studying the scriptures. Pastor Clark’s leadership skills were developed through her involvement in the church, to include her tenure as the Administrator of G-Tab in 2009, under the Pastorate of Elder G.P. Moore. In 2011, Pastor Clark transferred her membership to the First Baptist Church the in 2014, she was licensed and ordained as a minister by Pastor Willie Cannon and later attended Good News Fellowship School of Ministry.
In 2020, Pastor Clark founded The Covenant Community Church, a ministry dedicated to teaching discipleship for the purpose of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the earth. Her pastoral leadership embodies practical, life application biblical teaching that connects people to the love of Jesus Christ and encourages the development of spiritual gifts.
A beloved member of her community, Pastor Clark is a devoted community activist and has served the Y.M.C.A. Board in Covington, VA, the Habitat for Humanity, and the Capp Board. As a volunteer for H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Excel), she assisted elementary and middle school students with homework, honing cognitive skills, and drug and alcohol prevention. She has previously served the Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission; the Total Action for Progress (TAP) Board (2004-2008); and the Safe Homes Board (2004).
She is dedicated to teaching empowerment through career development, self-care, financial literacy, and social action. For two years, she served as the Father’s First Community Services Coordinator for TAP. In this role, she championed and assisted men in the development of life skills that improved their financial wellness, parenting skills, and fostered healthy relationships. During her tenure, she helped over 30 men and women in the Rockbridge/Buena Vista region.
Pastor Clark’s footprint in the Buena Vista region included ministry trails. In 2016, she was elected and appointed as the first female Pastor of First Baptist Church of Buena Vista. As Pastor, she was regarded for her integrity and respected by local governments that would often call upon her to conduct interview assessments for aspiring police officers.
Prior to pastoring, Pastor Clark served on the Covington City Council, for four terms, unopposed and later was elected as Vice-Mayor. In 2008, Pastor Clark was appointed as the first African American Mayor of Covington, VA. In recognition of this distinction, she received prestigious awards and honors from the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., TAP, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People of Roanoke. Pastor Clark’s influence as Mayor gained notoriety and media coverage in the USA Today, Roanoke Times and Bloomberg Newspapers.
In 2023, Pastor Clark campaigned for the House of Delegate-District 37. In less than five months, she raised $30,000 dollars, and during the election received over 8,000 votes. Other examples of her selfless commitment to serve the community include: serving as Chaplain for Lewis-Gale Alleghany Regional Hospital; serving on the Hospital Board; Chairing the Community Services Board; Secretary of the State Board for Community; and member of the People Board, Inc.
Pastor Clark and her husband, Deacon Orlando Clark, are the proud parents of two children. When she is not ministering, she enjoys travelling and spending time with her family and friends.
A bountiful reception in the Fellowship Hall will start immediately after the program. All are welcome to attend.
