Members of the Roanoke NAACP Youth Council, Chance Staples and Leila Bryant, along with advisor, Gloria Randolph-King motored to Portsmouth, Virginia on Friday, October 26, 2018, to attend the Virginia State Conference 83rd Convention as youth delegates for the weekend.
As members of the Youth and College Division, they were able to attend the youth and the adult training sessions. Both youth served on convention committees. Chance was on “Time and Place” — the committee that determines where the 2020 State Convention will be held and Leila served on the “Credentials Committee: the committee responsible for counting the convention attendees. Ironically, they both served as the secretary of their committees. Leila typed and presented the committee’s report to the voting delegates.
The youth had a great time at the Leadership luncheon, the King and Queen Reception, the Labor Luncheon, the Youth Breakfast and the Freedom Fund event where actor Danny Glover was the keynote speaker.
The Youth and College Division had several workshop presenters on Saturday, October 27 from whom they learned a lot. That night, following the Freedom Fund banquet, the Y&CD paid tribute to the 2018 ACT-SO local winners. Several of the Olympians were present to perform to a very supportive audience. Roanoke’s vocal contemporary medalist, Leila Bryant, received a standing ovation for her performance of Home from “The Wiz.“ Danny Glover made an appearance at the YCD party and took pictures with everyone.
Awards were also given at the YCD party with the Roanoke Youth Council receiving the “Fundraising Award” and the “Stellar Award”. The council was one of 2 youth groups to receive two awards of which we are all are very proud.
The Roanoke NAACP Youth Council has been busy helping the adult branch with the Drive-Through Voter Registration and planning for the Life Membership Luncheon On December 1, 2018 from 11:30 to 1:30 at the Holiday Inn, Tanglewood.
The new officers for 2018-2019 are: President – Chance Staples; 1st Vice President – Kameron Washington-Brown; 2nd Vice President – Rickiesia Rogers; Secretary – Leila Bryant; Asst. Secretary – Treasurer-Brianna Wilson; Asst. Treasurer – Tiana Keeling; Advisor – Gloria Randolph-King; Asst. Advisor – Lorena Wilson.
Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month at the Lawson Building, 401 Gainsboro Rd and the NAACP Youth Council is always looking for new members. All ages are invited to join.
Roanoke has two officers serving respectively as State Vice President and State Secretary; Roanoke Chapter President Javontae Patrick and Roanoke Chapter Secretary Kaya Hunt. In addition, Imani Rose has been appointed to serve on the Civic Engagement Committee.
