The Roanoke Chapter of the SCLC held its Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Day March and Service on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. Marchers included Roanoke Chapter’s: SCLC, NAACP and NAACP Youth Council, Indivisible Virginia, Advanced Auto Parts, community leaders and members of all ages with an appearance from Little Caesar (Orange Ave., Roanoke location). The March started at the MLK Jr. Memorial Statue ending at St. Paul United Methodist Church on Gilmer Ave. in NW, Roanoke where the service began at 2:00 p.m
The Youth Day speaker was Michael Thurman, a graduate of William Fleming H.S., retired starter U.S. Football League with Washington Federals & Tampa Bay Bandits and member of the 1987 Grey Cup Championship Team, Edmonton Eskimos. Chance Staples, local NAACP Youth Council president, introduced the guest speaker and with Coach George Miller as MC.
The William Fleming, Patrick Henry and Lucy Addison Gospel Choir performed under the direction of Jeffrey Williams and Dr. Perneller Chubb-Wilson rendered a special piano selection. Introduction of Patrick Henry H.S. honorees was given by Principal Kathleen C. Duncan; Principal Archie Freeman, III introduced the William Fleming H.S. honorees and received an award presented by Dr. Perneller Chubb-Wilson, president of the Roanoke Chapter SCLC. The Invocation and Benediction was lead by Rev. Lyle Morton, pastor of St. Paul UMC.
The Youth Day honorees from William Fleming are: Ashawnte Mone Anderson, Jordan Deshan Cannaday, and Chadwick Davilsaint: and from Patrick Henry H.S; Davidson Joseph and Syleah Manns
Deep appreciation was expressed to Roanoke Chapter SCLC Vice President Bishop Edward Mitchell, officer Brenda Keeling, and members Frances and Richard Chubb, St Paul United Methodist Church Board of Trustees, WTOY and to everyone who participated in making this year’s event a success.