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Vol. XXXVII No. 21 WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. THURSDAY, January 20, 201!
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Local man determined to find help
for aging guide dog
BY LAYLA FARMER
THE CHRONICLE
Twelve years ago. on a sunny Saturday morning in
December, Winston-Salem resident Michael Nelson awoke
to 'total darkness.
Nelson. 50, a former preschool teacher, says he had been
having difficulty with his vision for about two weeks before
Newman
that morning, and had visited the hos
pital the day before to have his eyes
checked, but the sudden blindness
came as a shock to both Nelson and the
doctors who were treating him.
Nelson was later diagnosed with a
rare autoimmune disease known as
polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). Alter
spending months in different- hospitals
and enduring countless surgeries, tests
and treatments. Nelson was told that
nothing more could be done to restore
his vision. Despite the disheartening
truth of his prognosis. Nelson said he maintained an opti
mistic outlook .
"I am a Christian. 1 was standing on faith. 1 never really
experienced panic or fear throughout this whole experi
ence," said the Winston-Salem Bible College alumnus, "I
believed that whether I gained my eyesight back or not. God
would provide for me."
For Nelson, that provision came in the form of an exu
berant yellow lab named Molly. She was the third guide dog
that Nelson had received. The first two proved unfit for the
job. but Nelson says he and the one-year old pup bonded
instantly.
"Molly is extraordinary, just an incredible guide dog."
he declared. "I never envisioned a dog could be so devoted
to you. and to your welfare."
See Nelson on A2
Photo by Lay la Farmer
Tye Tribbi'tt addresses the audience.
M. 1 ? i j
Photo by Mortal Farmer
Michael Nelson has had his guide dog, Molly, for nine years.
Tribbett: Resist Temptation
Gospel star alludes to affair that nearly destroyed his marriage
BY LAY1.A FARMER
THE CHRONICLE
Grammy-nominated Gospel
Artist Tye Tribbett spoke and per
formed before a packed house of
more than 800 last Friday at
Greater Cleveland Avenue
Christian Church.
Tribbett's visit served as the
kickoff for "Friday Night Fire." a
new series for young adults at the
church. The series, which will fea
ture events several times a year, is
designed to encourage the
younger generation to embrace the teachings
of the church, said Byron Battle, who has
served as the college pastor at Greater
Cleveland for the last six years.
Battle
"It's really about changing lives and put
ting young Vlults on the right path." he
explained. "...We target Friday
nights just to give our youth and
young adults something (positive)
to do."
The 33 year-old Tribbett is
known for his dynamic energy and
down to earth nature. With his for
mer choir. Greater Anointing.
Tribbett saw Billboard success with
singles like "Victory." "No Way"
and "Everything." Tribbett disband
ed the choir last year, after his mar
riage was threatened by a highly-publicized
affair that he had with one of its members.
His solo album, "Fresh." released late
See Tribbett on A5
Hope for
Former
Inmates?
Report calls on
lawmakers aiul others to
help ease the transition
BY LAYLA FARMER
THE CHRONIC I I
Ex-offenders in North
Carol inu may have a better
chance of finding gainful
employment, if lawmakers
heed the recommendations of
the North Carolina
Legislature's 16-member
Joint Selection Committee
on Ex-Offender
Reintegration into society.
After
two years
0 f
exploring
the issues
surround
1 n g
recidi
vism and
the rein
tegration
of e X -
offenders
Shan
into society, the Committee
outlined 17 recommenda
tions to improve recidivism
and reentry outcomes across
the state in a Jan. 13 meeting
in Raleigh.
Jeff Shaw of the NC
Justice Center said the rec
ommendations. which have
not been released in their
entirety to the public, center
around two main themes:
"reducing barriers to
employment" such as crimi
nal background checks early
in the employment process,
and moving toward "provid
ing organized services with
evidence-based standards."
such as pre-release counsel
ing for offenders.
Shaw . who-, has worked
with ex-offenders in some
capacity for much of his life,
believes the recommenda
tions are a step in the right
direction. Finding gainful
employment is a huge stum
bling block for ex-offenders
who are trying to turn their
lives around, he said.
"Realistically (eliminat
ing job candidates with crim
inal histories) places a lot of
our friends and family mem
See Report on A 10
Graham to help local teens graduate
Photo by Todd l uc k
S I e d in a n
Graham gives a
presentation
last week to
leaders of the
local school sys
tem.
BY TODD LUCK
THE CHRONICLE
The Winston-Salem Urban League
thinks that alternative schools can increase
their graduation rates by utilizing a leader
ship training program developed by
Stedman Graham, a respected educational
consultant.
The newly-developed Urban League
Youth Leadership Institute will soon start a
pilot program with 20 students at Griffith
Academy, an alternative school for students
with serious disciplinary problems.
Students stay at Griffith from 45 days to a
year before going back to a traditional
school. The new program, which is funded
by a state education grant, will continue to
See (iraham on A 10
DON'T
PASS
THE BUCK
BUY LOCAL
I
The Dream Lives
Artwork by Ferencc Oliver
The Akron Beacon Journal
Check out the
special Dr.
Martin lather
King Jr. insert
in this week's
newspaper to
read all about
what the city
had to offer on
MLK l)ay \