The Roanoke NAACP Youth Council will present its 2nd Annual Impactors of Excellence Awards program on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 5:00 PM at Pilgrim Baptist Church. The youth are extremely excited about recognizing and honoring a set of individuals in the Roanoke Valley who have made a positive impact in their lives and those of today’s youth.
This year’s Impactors are: Ruth Claytor-Coulter Hall Principal at William Fleming High School who spends many hours mentoring present and former students. In addition, she works with the WFHS Delta GEMS after-school program; Archie Freeman III-Principal William Fleming High, a creative leader, musician and preacher inspires students to achieve going beyond his role to create opportunities for their success; Sherman Lea, Jr. founder and owner of New Hope Support Services, an innovative leader, mentors others and serves as a role model for youth who are aspiring to become entrepreneurs; Bobby Martin-William Fleming High School football coach and life coach who uses the platform of football to elevate young men and prepare them for success; Jeff May-Coach/mentor/director of various youth programs such as the Westside Debaters, the William Fleming Step Team and Altruist Club Cotillion dance choreographer who uses a unique style of mentoring to help many youth move forward in life; Carolyn Patterson-retired educator/administrator and community leader seeks ways to provide financial and academic support to programs such as the Northwest Child Development Center and the NAACP ACT-SO program; Anita Price-Roanoke City Councilwoman. Since becoming the first African American female on Roanoke’s City Council, she has worked diligently to recreate a youth leadership program for the city’s youth and serves as the NAACP ACT-SO Co-Chair; Rev. Dwight & Connie Steele-honored as an Inspirational & Caring Duo as Pastor and First Lady of Pilgrim Baptist and co-owners of Serenity Funeral Home supporting youth with sponsorships and financial assistance. For the community, they continue to create youth initiated programs that elevate and inspire youth as they build a family life center.
This exciting program will feature the NAACP youth choir and the William Fleming/Patrick Henry Gospel Chorus; local praise dance teams and an inspiring surprise presentation.
There will be a free will offering and the group will accept other donations from those who cannot attend. All proceeds will benefit the Youth Council to defray the costs to attend the 106th Annual NAACP National Convention in Philadelphia, PA and other training meetings.
The community’s support is needed at this fundraiser and history making program.
Blake Barnes (494-5860) is the Council president and Gloria Randolph-King (562-0632) and Lorena Wilson 815-4584 are the advisors.
