At the annual Black Tie Banquet of 100 Black Men of Valdosta on May 15, Johnny P. Ball, III gave Community Service awards

• to Helen Jackson, a guidance counselor at Valdosta High School,
• to Percy Chastang, a youth development coordinator at the South Health District, also involved in Poetic Magic,
• and to Pastor Angela Manning of New Life Ministries.

Kwame Holder played the saxophone and the food was by Antoine’s Flavor of New Orleans.

Here is MC Donald Williams introducing the evening:

The 100 Black Men theme of mentoring is ( “What They See Is What They’ll Be”) or, as President Roy Copeland says,

“There is an inextricable nexus between our youth and our men.”

This theme was echoed by the keynote speaker, Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, as quoted in the VDT:

“Rather than focus on those who should but don’t, I’m going to focus on those who do. I’m going to talk tonight about the men, like all the men in this room, who do. I’ve come to Valdosta to celebrate our men.”

As you can see in the video, the VDT’s version is a loose paraphrase:

Here’s a playlist for the event. More videos may be added later.

Roy Copeland and jsq:

Gretchen and the hats:

Pictures and videos by John S. Quarterman and Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange, Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 15 May 2010.

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