The Roanoke Branch NAACP will host its annual Jubilee Day program at 12 noon Tuesday, Jan. 1, at Loudon Avenue Christian Church, 730 Loudon Ave. NW. NAACP branches across the nation celebrate the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1,1863; which led to the freeing of slaves as “Jubilee Day.”
Traveling from Richmond VA is guest speaker Elijah Coles-Brown, a 14-year-old national motivational speaker; social justice and civil rights activist; entrepreneur; speech writer; talk show host and mentor. His mother, Brenda Coles, is a single-parent, born in Bedford, VA. She saw his potential at an early age and assisted his accelerated intellect by providing him with books and instruction. By age 3 he was reading an average of 20 books a day and when in kindergarten he read at 4th grade level. Currently, he is a 9th grader at J.R. Tucker High School and enrolled in the Center for World Language and Global Citizenship Program. He is also a member of 31st Street Baptist Church in Richmond, VA.
Elijah loves to volunteer and has volunteered for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns (2008 and 2012); Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential Campaign; Levar Stoney’s Richmond (VA) Mayoral Campaign and for Sharon Scott’s Newport News (VA) Councilwoman Campaign.
He is a confident, prolific speaker who on October 30, 2016, had the honor of introducing the 44th President of the United States, President Barack Obama, on a national conference call, to nearly 10,000 people! He also had the opportunity to speak (via Skype) at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, PA that year.
Elijah’s missiom is to encourage young people, and promote knowledge and confidence that youth are just as capable of making change as adults. These hopes and views inspired him to create his own company, which led to the birth of “Dreamers Imagine.” He also has created a subset of Dreamers Imagine, called “Dreamers Imagine Productions,” designed to show the historical significance and occurrences of different time periods in American history.
As a speaker and activist, he has also had several acting roles. His acting debut was in a theatrical production, “Vivacious,” which honored the late R&B soul singer, Minnie Riperton. He has also acted in several local productions and served as a guest and co-host on several radio stations.
Everyone is invited to attend this youth-led Jubilee Day experience and hear this spirit filled, exciting and knowledgeable young speaker! Refreshments will be served immediately following the program.
Brenda Hale is local branch president.
