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The Rockbridge NAACP is attempting to convey a welcoming message of inclusivity for people of all backgrounds in the Rockbridge, Lexington and Buena Vista community. Local chapter President the Rev. Reginal A. Early points out that this hopeful message may be seen via a new billboard on Interstate 81 south at mile-marker 202 with the words, “Hand in hand, moving forward together,” accompanied by a picture of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and an American flag.
This message is in keeping, Early noted, with the chapter’s continuing mission, “to support diversity, inclusion and equality for all members of our community – for residents, for the students, faculty and staff of the colleges, for visitors and newcomers. In a time when so often people feel their differences, simply put, we mean everyone.”
In other initiatives, Early emphasized the chapter’s ongoing work with the three public school systems of Rockbridge, Buena Vista and Lexington to recruit people of color to their teaching and administrative staffs. “There’s a common understanding with our educators,” he said, “that the best preparation we can give our young people going out into the world is for them to experience the world’s diversity right here at home.”
In keeping with that goal, the chapter continues to fund educational opportunities through the Ted DeLaney fund, which offers grants for young people in grades K-12 and for higher education, and the Irma Thompson initiative, which supports the recruitment of teachers and school administrators. In the past year, the Irma Thompson fund welcomed Lylburn Downing teacher Maria Nava, and in 2022, coach Martin Cox of Rockbridge County High School and Robert McCoy of Parry McCluer High School. Since 2021, the DeLaney fund has supported five college and trade school students, and over 40 young people in educational summer programs.
The chapter’s health committee supports health and wellness initiatives, such as promotion of Carilion Clinic’s Community Health Assessment, which is conducted every three years. The committee worked with Carilion to distribute the survey to local communities of color. The survey is designed to identify the needs and health issues of residents throughout the area and leads to the establishment and funding of programs and services to address those needs.
Other health-related chapter activities in the past year included encouragement of outdoor activities, a potluck social at the historic Green Pastures Recreation Area in Longdale, and continued efforts to connect services to our community and our community to existing services.
In other chapter outreach, the legal redress committee works with Washington and Lee University Law School students to investigate and address legal issues including civil rights violations of those who have been incarcerated. The economic development committee is focusing on affordable housing issues and the visibility of local indigenous and Black history as an economic driver for the tourism economy. The chapter continues to support economic initiatives in the cities and the county.
The chapter’s annual Freedom Fund banquet serves to highlight the accomplishments and contributions of Black members of the community. In 2023, the banquet was held at the James E. Thompson Community Center in Glasgow, to celebrate the center’s expanding role in community education and the arts, and the notable work of Roberta Lyle. Funds from the banquet go to support a wide range of yearlong activities, including Juneteenth, the MLK Community Parade, voter registration, attending Legislative Day at the state capitol, and support of National NAACP goals, as well as the chapter’s local educational, economic and community outreach goals.
“It’s encouraging to see how many initiatives are coming from and supported by our general membership,” said Early. “We encourage members of the Rockbridge, Lexington and Buena Vista community to join us at our monthly meetings and in the work of building a stronger, more open and truly welcoming society.”
For more information or to contact the Rockbridge NAACP, visit https://rockbridgenaacp. com/.
