The Roanoke Valley Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. held “The Great Roanoke City Debate” on April 2, 2016 at the Dumas Center. This unique event was planned by local high school and middle school youth who developed the format, posed the questions and served as moderators.
The aim of the debate was to involve youth and provide them with a greater understanding of the local political process. In addition Roanoke Valley Chapter, students from Community High School and TAP’s Y.A.L.E. program were involved in this great event. It is believed that this was the first time in our local history that Roanoke Valley Youth have played such a significant role in a Roanoke City Mayoral/City Council debate.
Candidates who participated in the forum included Councilman Sherman P. Lea, Sr., Mayoral candidate and City Council candidates Freeda Cathcart, Michelle Dykstra, John Garland, E. Duane Howard, Trish White-Boyd and Councilwoman Anita J. Price.
Candidates were asked questions in the following categories: Economic Development, Education, Law Enforcement, Housing, Transportation, and Quality of Life. Each was also given the opportunity to provide an opening and closing statement and answer such questions as “What type of candidate will you look for to serve as “Roanoke’s top cop with the retirement of Police Chief Perkins? Also, “how do you feel SOLs affect the learning environment; and should students who have passed the class take them?” The growing incidences of officer-shootings of Black youth (predominately males) and racial “profiling” was also addressed.
Jack and Jill of America is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2-19, dedicated to nurturing future African-American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty. The Roanoke Valley Chapter was founded in 1951.
