SEEN IN
KINGSPORT KINGSPORT OFFICE OF CULTURAL ARTS
H.O.P.E. YOUTH ART DISPLAY
VICE MAYOR MIKE MCINTIRE PRESENTING PROCLAMATION TO MAKE MARCH 3RD “H.O.P.E. DAY” TO H.O.P.E. YOUTH AND VOLUNTEERS
H.O.P.E. Black History Month Award Program
QIANE HALE AND LINDA WADE
PHOTOGRAPHY AND STORY BY LOGAN BAILEY
Help Our Potential Evolve (H.O.P.E.) celebrated its 10-year anniversary on March 3rd during their Black History Month Award Program. The program hosted guest speaker, Dr. William H. Turner, who shared a message of strength and community togetherness. The program also awarded individuals who helped to make H.O.P.E. the successful non-profit that it is today. Dr. Turner received his B.S. in Sociology from the University of Kentucky and went on to receive his Master ’s and Doctorate in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Notre Dame University. Dr. Turner has focused his career on demographic studies, ethnographic studies, and programmatic interventions among people of color in the Appalachian Region. He is published extensively in national newspapers, academic journals, and books on the black experience in Appalachia.
TONI SWAVELY AND STELLA ROBINETTE (FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF H.O.P.E.)
The overarching message communicated by Dr. Turner was to not limit your capabilities by staying within your comfort zone. “Achieving your hopes depends on you going beyond your harbor bar ”, says Dr. Turner. Meaning, trust in your faith and your hope to leave the comfort of your “harbor ” and explore the greater oceans of opportunities. After Dr. Turner ’s speech, Vice Mayor Phillips presented H.O.P.E. with a proclamation from the City of Kingsport to make March 3rd officially recognized as “H.O.P.E. Day ”. Afterwards, H.O.P.E. awarded several community partners and volunteers with awards for their support of the organization over the years. The event also featured a reception sponsored by New Horizon Credit Union as well as musical selections from “Greater Life Praise Team” and “4 Him”.
SUE KOBAK ESQ., DR. ART VAN ZEE, JILL CARSON, AND ALEXIS CARSON
If you are interested in more information about H.O.P.E. or their Black History Award Program, please contact Stella Robinette at 423-276-6541.
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april 2018 | www.vipseenmag.com
4 HIM
CHAIBA BLOOMER (H.O.P.E. BOARD PRESIDENT)