The Roanoke NAACP Youth Council made an awesome presence at the “4th Annual Impactors of Excellence Awards program” on Sunday, Feb. 26, at Loudon Avenue Christian Church, where Rev. Anthony Holmes is the new pastor.
Each youth member demonstrated Excellence as they served as Mistress of Ceremonies, presenters of the honorees, devotion leaders, commemorators and ushers.
The NAACP chant was led by Ruth Payne and Shavon Wilcher, who also served as co-hosts for the program. It was ALL about the youth and they made an IMPACT that day.
The 2017 Impactors were awesome in their appreciation of the honor and just amazed that the youth planned and implemented this program to honor them. The honorees included the Honorable Mayor Sherman Lea, Sr., Gregory Addison, Gwendolyn Basham, Bernadette Jones-Brown, Antonio Hash, Sheila Herron, Monique Ingram, Ed Thompson and Willard Terry, Jr. Each one gave a mini sermon including words of encouragement and praise to God for all they have been able to do to impact the youth.
The Youth Council is comprised of over 50 members close to 30 in attendance and they were overjoyed at the offering and the uplifting remarks. The excited, but well composed youth were extremely delighted about recognizing and honoring individuals in the Roanoke Valley who have made a positive impact in their lives and those of today’s youth.
They are especially grateful to the college students, former President Blake Barnes and Kianna Bell who were in attendance.
Honoree Bernadette Brown-Jones directed U-Praize, the Jefferson Center Youth Performance Band with Deron Lark as pianist in an outstanding Black History Tribute. To contribute to the entertainment, Victorious Praise, under the direction of Bernadette Brown, provided several soul stirring selections to a standing ovation.
First Vice President Phazhon Nash spearheaded the program with his committee members: President Kenai Hunt, Kendra Corpening, Matthew Lewis Bell, Kaila Brown, and Ruth Payne. Youth leadership was evident in every aspect of the program and gave their best.
All are extremely grateful for the generous offering received and donations are being accepted with proceeds to help the Youth Council send members to the 108th Annual NAACP National Convention in Baltimore, MD; as well as other training meetings.
Advisors Gloria Randolph-King and Mrs. Lorena Wilson and Branch President Brenda Hale were all overwhelmed at the youth’s performance and overjoyed with the outcome. The community has truly been impacted by these youth.
