by Kevin “Brother” Love
Imagine if you will, a job fair on 11th Street, NW. How cool is that? Community Cultivators Inc., (CCI) a community activist group headed by Shawn Hunter, Khalid Jones and Martin Jeffrey pulled off the unthinkable task of organizing the first, one of a kind job fair and motivational event to revitalize Roanoke’s northwest quadrant.
Employers, colleges, trade schools and vendors were called together to create the event held July 24, known as the “Putting Roanoke Back to Work Street Rally.” It was a beautiful warm day and the stage was set for the positive community interaction that ensued.
The rally started promptly at 11:00 a.m. as planned and what unfolded was a much needed effort by area employers and a host of education, city and state officials who were very accommodating and sincere in their response to the event’s mission.
Sgt. Deputy Ashford of the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Dept. stressed the importance of educating the community on all the diverse aspects of the department. Capt. Rick Morrison, R.P.D. said “The event is awesome because it re-enforces what community is all about, not just talking about the problems in the community but all of us from different backgrounds and different races coming together to solve the problems.”
After an inspirational prayer from Bishop Malverse Simpson of Liberty Worship Center, Shawn Hunter opened emphasizing the importance of the community coming together to improve itself by working and initiating strong revitalization measures.
He also talked about such senseless crimes as the recent death of Aryah Leigh Lipford and the malicious wounding of her mother Rachael Qusenberry by shooting suspect Warner Hunter III. Coincidently, the event happened on the birthday of the tragically slain toddler who (on July 24) would have been 2 years old.
Additionally Hunter spoke on his working with ex-offenders regarding rights restoration, employment opportunities and other issues faced as they transition back into society. He continuously urged attendees to take advantage of the numerous employers and educators on hand that offered jobs and educational choices.
Jeffrey, said “If we can connect a few people with jobs who otherwise wouldn’t have that chance and education opportunities, this event will be a success.”
Khalid Jones a chief organizer with CCI owns and operates Clean Cuts Barber Shop on 11th Street. He and other local entrepreneurs were very happy with the outcome of the event and the collaborative efforts of all involved in the project that hopefully will prove fruitful.
Mayor David Bowers was in attendance to show his support for the event. He spoke of letting the nothwest section of Roanoke know that, “they are not alone.” Echoing comments he released through a recent editorial, the mayor said he believed “l00% of those in attendance are law abiding citizens,” and said unfortunately most of the crime takes place in the northwest quadrant of Roanoke.
“Black on Black crime does exist even though Roanoke as a whole has a 46-year low in overall crime…. we are in this together,” the mayor conveyed and “we won’t stop until crime is as low as the other quadrants of Roanoke. Black lives matter too…and so do Blue (police officers) lives…all lives matter.”
The mayor lamented as he announced his intentions to attend a memorial for slain toddler Aryah Leigh Lipford. As a teacher at Western Virginia Community College, he left the audience with a saying, by Irish statesman Edmund Burke, he often quotes to his students, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” In closing he said “we can’t do anything unless good law-abiding people join the effort to provide safe schools, parks and streets in every part of Roanoke.”
In his own personable way, 11th House District Virginia Delegate Sam Rasoul was there to show support and was very accessible to the people–dutifully addressing concerns while mingling through the crowd. During brief comments from the stage he lifted the event as a very positive initiative for the community, gave praise to the organizers, employers, educators and the community at large for rising to the demand.
The event was broadcasted live on FocusRadio.com by D.J. Tommy P. Towards the end was a musical tribute to little Aryah Leigh Lipford that was layered with bellowing calls to stop the violence in the City of Roanoke. As the evening winded down many among the hundreds that reportedly attended were still networking (and reveling) at this amazing and historic event like none other on 11th Street.
