Urban Professional League recognizes five citizens during Black History Month
by S. Hale
In honor of Black History Month, Roanoke’s Urban Professional League (UPL) celebrated five area citizens at an event held Thursday, Feb. 21 at Jefferson Center, Fitzpatrick Hall.
As announced by UPL president, Kianna Price-Marshall, the organization’s mission is to “promote professionalism, networking and community service while enhancing the quality of life in the city of Roanoke.”
This year the annual affair highlighted five local African American young business professionals considered outstanding in categories as: Rev. F.E. Alexander Business Award: Anthony Smith, Blue Ridge Towers; Robert Jeffrey, Jr.; Lucy Addison, Education Award: Taisha Steele, Roanoke City Public Schools; Community Service Award: Deidre Trigg, Elle Academy and Citizen of the Year: Ryan Bell–a Black family father.
Guest speaker was George F. Spencer, EVP, business development, entrepreneur division, Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
In its role, TMCF is a national organization that provide scholarships and capacity building support to all 47 Historical Black Colleges and Universities.
Through his speech Spencer mainly focused on areas he saw as providing “an infusion of purpose, significance and perseverance” in all that we do as conscious and upwardly mobile individuals.
“The difference in passion and purpose is that your feelings drive your passion and purpose is an object to be reached, a target–a deep reason for your existence,” he pointedly stated.
Spencer proceeded to break each of the 2 remaining elements down during his brief–yet impactful and most appropriate address.
WSLS news personality, Brittny McGraw, as program MC, gave background information regarding each award category.
The Business Award is named in honor of Rev. F.E. Alexander, (1888-1980) founder/publisher, The Roanoke Tribune; The Education Award is named in honor of famed local educator Lucy Addison, (1861-1937) and the Community Service Award in honor of Christopher C. Williams (1882-1961) who was a local prominent business leader active in numerous civic organizations.
Community Service Award is named in honor of Dr. Beth Brown (1969–2008). Brown, a William Fleming HS graduate was an accomplished astrophysicist with NASA.
In addition to several real estate investments, Anthony Smith is owner/operator of Blue Ridge Towers, a wireless communications business and reportedly is a partner with the first African American development team to successfully complete a multi-family, high-rise project in Durham, NC history.
Robert Jeffrey, Jr. is CEO and publisher Colors VA magazine launched in 2015 with the slogan, “Celebrating our Similarities, Understanding our Differences.
Her 18 years experience in education and school counseling equips Taisha Steele for her position as dir. school counseling, Roanoke City Public Schools.
Diedre Trigg founded Elle Academy to “raise consciousness of African American girls through innovative programs that focus on the wholistic individual through health, academic, social and financial skills.”
Ryan A. Bell, began working with students in 2012 as a special education teacher’s assistant and with Richmond School System. In 2015 Ryan established the Dr. Wyatt T. Walker Educational Foundation to address the needs of “at-risk youth” seeking post-secondary education funding.
“This organization seeks to bring business-minded people together to make this community one that we can come together and discuss issues that enhance the quality of life,” said Mayor Lea prior to presenting each recipient the city’s “Star” award.
