By Tia Glass
For the Salisbury Post
Hello community! The Black Achievers thank you for the community support we have been experiencing. The calendar is almost full, but there is still room for any adult achiever or business who would benefit from making a difference in a child’s life.
Here are some updates on our Saturday meetings.
Oct. 18
Roberto “Bully” White spoke to the Achievers about his boxing career and the directions he took to enter this profession.
“When I was young I liked to fight, so instead of fighting for negativity I decided to turn it into a positive profession, which pays very well,” said Roberto.
When the Achievers heard a heavyweight boxer could make thousands in one night, their interest was sparked and questions followed.
Roberto also told the group, “Money is great, but discipline brings the reward.”
Roberto spent some of his childhood living in East Spencer, so his visit was an honor, and he uplifted the youth of this community.
During Roberto’s presentation, a guest stopped by to give the Achievers some encouragement. “Stay committed,” said recording artist Aseelah Battles. She shared some childhood 4-H memories.
Anthony Barnhart asked Aseelah to sing for the group, and she crooned out a beautiful melody. Wow, a double whammy! We got autographed pictures and loads of photos.
Oct. 25 elections
Thank you Isha Holmes for holding the Black Achievers elections on Oct. 25 for the Junior Committee. The group eagerly participated in the process as they voted for their own electoral board. As the session ended, they discussed the presidential election and what it meant to each of them. According to their responses, the historical manner and liberating fever of this election branded the hearts of our next generation of politicians, doctors, entrepreneurs, voters and possible presidential candidates.
Congratulations to the 2008-2009 Black Achievers Junior Committee: Kentoya Abner, president; Michah Ford and Odell McBride, vice presidents; Ayanna Holmes, treasurer; and Ashley Hower, secretary. We are grateful to all those who ran for a seat and voted. As Shakespeare said, “Action is eloquence.”
Nov. 1
Shawn Blackwell, CEO of Premier Choice Group, spoke at the Nov. 1 meeting. He brought his entourage, which included his mother, Donna Blackwell.
Whoever said “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” based it on this mother-and-son duo. Donna Blackwell spent her career as an educator with the public schools and Salisbury Head Start. Her values and accomplishments helped sketch Shawn Blackwell into the man he is today.
His company, Premier Choice Group, is a successful advertising and marketing firm with a promising magazine. Shawn worked for Yellow Pages, realized he could do the same thing and did exactly that. You can find Shawn’s magazine, Premier Choice, all over Salisbury and surrounding areas.
Volunteer Latisha Feamster drew the Achievers into the world of advertisement. Each group had to make an ad for a restaurant. The activity helped the Achievers learn the power of teamwork as they searched the Internet for catch phrases and pictures, discussing the layouts and implementing action. They started with two groups, but just like the real world, a few people broke off and created their own ad. “These are the renegades,” said Shawn Blackwell, referring to Achievers Paris Mooney and Tevon Frost.
As Sandy Flower, director of J.F. Hurley YMCA would say, this was a teachable moment.
We ended with the judging of the ad posters. It was a hard call, but Ayanna Holmes’ group took first prize. Everyone did a fabulous job. Each Achiever received a gift certificate to Pockets and a relationship with another community leader.
Until next time, remember this advice from Martin Luther King Jr.: All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.
We reside in a great community and the greatest country, so let’s be beacons of light, our brother’s keeper, proving to the world “United We Stand.”
Although we have a long road to travel, the election of Barack Obama as president has opened deaf ears, softened hard hearts and wrinkled some brows, but most of all it’s shown the American citizens their voices are not passive. They do hold power and we really do count.