By Shawn Nowlin
For the 24th time, the Roanoke Branch NAACP Chapter held its Annual Citizen of the Year Awards. This year’s celebratory occasion took place on May 10 at the Tanglewood Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center, coinciding with the 72nd Silver Life Members Dinner.
After an hour-long reception, Mistress of Ceremony Sheila Herron addressed the roughly 400 people in attendance. Among the many present was Delegate Sam Rasoul, Vice Mayor Joe Cobb and United Way of Roanoke Valley Vice President Kianna Price-Marshall who performed a dynamic duet with vocalist Chris Kwaramba.
To no one’s surprise, local NAACP President Brenda Hale and her team delivered another well-handled night recognizing a host of noteworthy individuals.
The 2024 recipients were: Arts, Donna Bowie, artist; Business, Diane Speaks, She’s International Boutique President and CEO; Corporate, Dr. David Points, WFJX General Manager and News Director; Education, Dr. Mary Dana Hinton, Hollins University President; Education Youth, Simone Hamler, Northside High Class Valedictorian; Humanitarian, Lee Clark, Roanoke City Rescue Mission Executive Director; Media, Dan Casey, Roanoke Times Investigative Reporter; Medicine, Dr. Deneen Evans, Mosaic President and CEO; Religion, Rev. Serenus Churn, Pastor, High Street Baptist Church; and Lifetime Achievement, Rev. Dr. Nelson Harris, a social activist and author.
Because he couldn’t be present, Joe Cobb accepted Harris’ award on his behalf.
“There truly is no better feeling in the world than being able to educate a young person. It is an honor and privilege to be able to do this work. The memory of my mother is with me as she told me every day the importance of the NAACP. The people who make me a leader are the faculty, staff and administrators,” said Mary Hinton one of the many recipients who expressed heartfelt appreciation throughout the program.
Ever present was the spirit of the late Gloria Randolph King who passed October 8, 2023. As a dedicated educator and youth mentor, King served the chapter in various positions for many years – a fact that was elevated through an official resolution presented by longtime Delegate Sam Rasoul.
Another who reflected on Gloria King’s invaluable service was Rev. Churn who said, “Nine years ago, when I came to the city, I met a lady who let me know about Dr. Hale and the NAACP. Her name was Gloria Randolph-King who is dearly missed.”
Youth Council Member Simone Bryant, a William Fleming tenth-grader, introduced the distinguished guest speaker, Dr. Crasha Townsend. For more than 15 years, the Central Michigan and Grand Valley State University alum has served as a consultant in higher education and small business development.
Speaking from the heart, Townsend said, “This is a very special space and occasion. This year’s theme is ‘Honoring Our Past, and Continuing Our Journey.’ We all have a past, so let me tell you a little about myself. I am a first-generation college student who was raised in a two-parent home from a mid-size city in Michigan. I am from a place that is far more known for its crime than academics or fine arts.”
She added, “Growing up, my parents were quick to drop life lesson gems in the most extraordinary way. I learned how leadership can be demonstrated in a variety of ways. We all have a role to play in bettering our community.”
This year’s platinum and gold sponsors were Carilion Clinic, Kroger and TAP, Food Lion, Local 400 and Goodwill Industries, respectively. Hale says she is thankful for everyone who helped make the event possible and looks forward to next year’s gathering being even better.
