Feb. 12 - Scholarship Banquet
The Wake Forest Black Law Students Association
(BLSA) will host its 31st Annual Scholarship Banquet
on Friday, Feb. 12, at the Milton Rhodes Center for the
Aits, beginning at 6 pm. The theme is "Fulfilling the
Dream," a response to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s
call-to-action years ago and "what we are doing to ful
fill his dream today, especially considering on-campus
movements, student protests and presidential elec
tions," says Ashlee Johnson (JD '16), event chair. The
event will begin with a cocktail reception followed by
dinner, the keynote address by Attorney Willie E. Gary
and presentation of awards. Gary, a partner at Gary,
Williams, Parenti and Watson, earned his reputation as
"The Giant Killer" by taking down some of America's
most well-known corporate giants on behalf of his
clients, his website says.
Feb. 17 - 'Winston-Salem's African American
Legacy'
At Carver School Road Library, 4915 Lansing
Drive, on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 4 pm., "Winston
Salem's African American Legacy" will be presented.
The presentation and discussion will be with Cheryl
Streeter Harry, author and director of African
American programming at Old Salem Museums &
Gardens. All ages are welcomed. For information call
336-703-2910.
Feb. 18 - Black Male Symposium
On Feb. 18 at 10 am. and 6 pjn? the Black Male
Symposium and theatrical performance will be held in
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pus of Winston-Salem State University.
The symposium will feature the play
"We Shall Overcome" by Forget Me
Not Productions, directed by Garrett
Davis and will be followed by a panel
discussion at 11:30 ajn. about the play Garrett
and other civil rights issties. (There will
be no panel discussion after the 6 pm. performance.)
Feb. 19-21 - 'We Shall Overcome' play
The play "We Shall Overcome," created by
acclaimed playwright Garrett Davis, will be staged at
Hanebrands Theatre for four performances Feb. 19-21
as part of the 2016 Gdavis Urban Theater Series. "We
Shall Overcome" delivers a profound message of find
ing hope, dignity and spiritual growth even during
times of adversity. The play explores the creation of
the Southern Non-Violent Coordinating Committee
(SNCC) which resulted from sit-ins organized by Ella
Baker, Baker was the Director of the Southern
Christian Leadership Council (SCLC) (played by
Latonya Simms from Mama's Girls), who was con
cerned that SCLC, led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. (played by Brian Cager) was out of touch
with younger African-Americans who wanted the civil
rights movement to make faster progress. For further
information, visit www.weshallovercome.me.
Feb. 21 - City Police, Fire Departments to
honor retired personnel, contest winners
On Sunday, Feb. 21, the Police and Fire depart
ments will honor their retired personnel and the win
ners of the Black History Month coloring and essay
contests during the third annual Public Safety Black
History Month Celebration. The celebration will be
held at 3 p.m. at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church,
4129 Northampton Drive. During the program, the
Police Department will honor retired Captain Terry
Jones and retired Sergeant Stephen Hairston for their
service. The Fire Department will honor retired
Captains Gary Brown and Aldine Cloud for their serv
ice, and Battalion Chief Shirese Moore, the first
female African - American in the department to hold
this rank. The public is invited to attend. For more
information call CityLink311.
. Feb. 22-'Thomas Day, Cabinet Maker'
Clemmons Branch Library, 3554 Clemmons -Road,
will present "Thomas Day, Cabinet Maker. Man in the
Middle" on Monday; Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. Filmmaker and
educator Laurel C. Sneed will present a lecture on
Thomas Day, remembered as the black craftsman who
ran the largest furniture business in the state during the
time of slavery. A skilled artisan and savvy business
man, Day's shop turned out striking beds, bureaus,
tables, sofas, and chairs that are just as highly coveted
today as they were over 150 years ago. This dynamic,
mediated presentation encourages audience participa
tion as they analyze historical evidence and explore
the mystery of one of our state's most extraordinary
and fascinating historical figures. Call 336-703-2920
for information and to sign up for the program, which
is a North Carolina Humanities Council Road
Scholars presentation.
Allan Younger keeps
entrepreneurial spirit alive
BY TODD LUCK
THE CHRONICLE
In 2009, Allan Younger
wanted advice for the con
sulting firm be'd just start
ed, so he turned to the
Small Business Center of
Forsyth Technical
Community College. Now
as director of that small
business center, he helps
entrepreneurs overcome
the hurdles to'success.
The Forsyth Tech
Small Business Center is
one of 58 state-funded cen
ters across North Carolina
that provides services to
small businesses and those
thinking about starting one.
The center is located at
525@Vine in the
Innovation Quarter housed
in 25,000 square "feet
devoted to Forsyth Tech's
various business and indus
trial services.
The center holds more
than 15 education sessions
and about 40 appointments
for business counseling a
month.
Younger, who counsels
small business owners 1
himself, said that the center '
provides advice and guid
ance for what can often be
a very daunting process of
opening and maintaining a
business.
"One of my biggest
goals ever since I started
this job in 2013 was to help
people increase their confi
dence that they can be suc
cessful," he said.
Younger said that he
had several sessions him
self when he was starting
up his own management
consulting business, -
GRACE Consulting. He ?
said it was very beneficial
to him and opened his eyes
to things like what he, as a
business owner, would
need to keep records of for
taxes.
He said he was inspired
to go into business by his
father, who worked for
IBM for more than 30
years. He said there's no ,
innovation I
quarter*
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~~ Photo by Todd Luck
Forsyth Tech Small Business Center Director Allan Younger used the center
before he became its director.
shortage or Atrican
Americans working in
business or starting their
own small businesses.
"I think a lot of it is
because a lot of African
Americans grew up either
in families, or knowing
people who owned their
own small businesses," he
said.
Younger also teaches
business courses at
Winston-Salem Stat?
University. He says many
of his students come into
class already thinking
about starting their own
businesses. Younger said
about 40 percent of those
served by the center are
minorities. Among the cen
ter's many community
partnerships is one with the
City's Minority and
Women Business
Enterprise Program to hold
events there.
Younger, who grew up
in Silver Spring, Maryland,
has a degree in economics
from the University of
North Carolina at Chapel
Hill and a Masters in
Business Administration
from Winston-Salem State
University.
He worked in the mort
gage industry for years at
companies like General
Electric and Republic
Mortgage Insurance
Company. After being laid
off during the recession, he
decided to start his own
consulting firm. In 2010,
he started giving educa-.
tional presentations for the
Small Business Center, and
in 2013 he became its
director.
As director of the Small
Business Center, he over
sees two employees who
coordinate the education
ana counseling sessions
there. The Center has about
15 volunteer counselors
and about 30 presenters for
its workshops. It also has
two satellite offices: one in
The Enterprise Center and
the other in Walnut Cove.
He said aside from
advice, guidance and edu
cation, the center also has
meeting spaces, computers
and Internet access for its
clients. It also shares infor
mation with local business
es online through its
Linkedln group.
To see events and regis
ter for counseling or edu
cational sessions at the
Smalt Business Center go
to:http://ww\vforsythtech ?
du! services
businesses! small-business
center.
Feb. 23 - Potato Chip taste test
Find out about the African-American who invent
ed the potato chip, then take part in
a Potato Chip Taste Test at the Kemersville Branch
Library, 130 East Mountain St.
Thesday, Feb. 23, at 4 pjn. Let the staff know of
any food allergies before participating. This is for
youth in grades 6-12. Call the library to register at
336-703-2930.
Feb. 24 - 'Intro to African American
Genealogy'
On Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 10:30 a.m. at the
Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center, 1110
East Seventh St., ."Intro to African American
Genealogy" will be presented. Historical factors can
make researching African-American ancestors diffi
cult. This program will cover the basics of getting
started with genealogy with a special focus on
research tips and resources for African-American f
genealogy. For information call 336- 703-2930.
Did you know ...
That in 1935, Benjamin Thornton created a device
that was the predecessor of today's answering
machine?
. - 1 ? ?" ? 1
N.G. GOP statement
honors black history -
SPECIAL TO THE
CHRONICLE
RALEIGH - "This
month we celebrate the
achievements; legacy and
contributions African
Americans have made
throughout history to
strengthen our country,"
said N.C. GOP Chairman
Hasan Harnett in a state
ment.
"We also reflect on the
significant impact they've
had on the Republican
Party, especially here in
North Carolina. As we
commemorate Black
History Month, we remem
ber the great works of those
who came before us but
also look towards a future
where economic and edu
cational opportunity is
abundant for all North
Carolinians - something
our Republican leadership
fights for each and every
day."
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