Dorothy M. Gill-Smith

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Mrs. Gill-Smith is a graduate of Virginia Seminary and College. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies. Mrs. Smith has served as the District President of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society for twenty years. She has served approximately ten years on the Salisbury-Rowan Human Relations Council, the Board of Directors for Zion Hills Apartments, the American Correctional Association, and is a former Board Member of Rowan Helping Ministries. She is also a member of the Salisbury Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

 

James E. Johnson (deceased)

Mr. Johnson served the citizens of Burke and Caldwell Counties on the Blue Ridge Community Action, Inc. Board of Directors for 25 years. In addition, he delivered Meals on Wheels for fifteen years. He was formerly an advisor for the North Carolina State Employee’s Credit Union, a former 4-H Leader, former member of the National Teacher’s Association, and the Burke County NAACP. He was very involved and dedicated to his family, community and friends.

 

William Pete Kennedy

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Mr. Kennedy served as a public educator, coach, and guidance counselor for twenty-eight years. As an educator, he served as a delegate to numerous state and national conventions which passed by-laws and regulations governing the teaching profession. As the owner of William R. Kennedy Realty, he provided jobs for many employees and subcontractors. He was the past treasurer for the Board of Directors of the Salisbury-Rowan Realtors, along with many other notable accomplishments.

 

Charles M. Schlein

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Mr. Schlein is a speech/ language pathologist and has served on the Blue Ridge Community Action, Inc. Board of Directors for the past 25 years. He began his involvement with BRCA as an agency representative of the Health Advisory Committee for the Head Start Program. He is currently the Chair of the Planning Committee, a member of the Personnel Committee, and the Executive Committee. “Chuck” was instrumental in identifying the property where the Generations Child and Adult Care Programs are located, as well as the administrative offices of the program. He takes every opportunity to relay information about various programs in the community.grandchildren.

 

James Wright (deceased)

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Mr. Wright served on the Board of Directors for the Choanoke Area Development Association for many years. He began his career as a Vocational Agriculture Educator in 1951 and retired as one of the first African American Agriculture Extension Directors in North Carolina. His wisdom, compassion and love for people was the thrust in planning and developing excellent community development/ community action programs to help eliminate poverty and to contribute toward the progress of people becoming self-sufficient.

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Dorothy Nixon Allen-Freeman

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Mrs. Allen-Freeman began her work with Wake Opportunity as an outreach worker. After three years, she became its third Executive Director. Mrs. Allen-Freeman initiated programs such as Economic Development and other Housing Programs. She advocated from the State House to the White House to make life better for those least able to help themselves. She says her greatest honor during her career was the naming of the low-income elderly, handicapped apartments as the “Dorothy Allen Nixon Manor.”

 

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James A. Bailey (deceased)

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Mr. Bailey was the third executive director for Johnston-Lee Community Action. He was instrumental in computerizing the Fiscal Department. In 1979, Mr. Bailey was “Jaycee of the Year” and voted “Rescue Man of the Year.” He appeared in “Outstanding Young Men of America” and in 1975 showed up in “Outstanding Personalities of the South.” He was the former mayor of Clayton, NC.

 

Fred Cooper

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Mr. Cooper spearheaded an effort to submit an application to the North Carolina Fund while serving as President of the Choanoke Area Development Association that was initially rejected. He was not about to accept rejection with officials saying, “This four-county area was too difficult.” It was a personal telephone call to Gov. Terry Sanford and a New Year’s Eve meeting at the Governor’s mansion that led to the eventual funding of the agency.

 

Kenneth L. Cox (deceased)

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“As Executive Director of Blue Ridge Community Action, Inc., Ken Cox worked diligently to provide a better life for children through the child development programs which helped with nutritional, health and educational needs. He understood that by working together, much could be accomplished, whether it was housing needs, employment training or providing transportation to the elderly, disabled and handicapped. When the history of community action is finally written, a prominent place will be given to this man who will be missed, but forever loved by so many (excerpts from a statement provided by Congressman Richard Burr).

 

Elizabeth Fields

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Mrs. Fields received a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from the University of Chapel Hill. She has served as Executive Director of the Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency, Inc. since 2001. During her thirty year tenure, she has been responsible for establishing services within five counties -Davidson, Rowan, Stanly, Montgomery, and Moore. She has also provided guidance and stability to the Weatherization, Welfare to Work, WIA and Head Start/ Early Head Start programs.

 

Paul Keller (deceased)

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Mr. Keller held a Master’s Degree in Business from Harvard University. He was employed as the first Executive Director of Johnston County from 1966-1977. Mr. Keller created many programs: the Nutrition Program for the Elderly, the first out-of-county transportation program, first alcoholic recovery program, first home health nursing program.

 

Jo Ann Posey Larkins

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Mrs. Larkins came to work for Yadkin Valley Economic Development District, Inc. in 1967 as a secretary and bookkeeper. She later worked as Summer Head Start Director. For over thirty years, she was Director of the Neighborhood Youth Corp Program; a job she says was the most rewarding aspect of her career. While she was contemplating retirement, former Executive Director, Jimmie Hutchens, died and Mrs. Larkins was appointed as his successor. She recently celebrated her 40th anniversary year with YVEDDI. Her words of advice: “Never stop looking ahead to what you want to do next.”

 

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Leon Mann (deceased)

Mr. Mann served as Executive Director of Coastal Community Action, Inc. from 1966 until his death in 1996. He has been identified by many in Carteret County as the “consummate humanitarian; an individual who comes along once in a lifetime.” One of his biggest loves was the Family Planning Program which began in 1966 under his tutelage. He was instrumental in establishing the Bogue Field water system and the county’s first 911 Rescue Squad. Mr. Mann devoted his life to fighting for the underdog, the underprivileged, and the uneducated.

 

Leon J. Penny (deceased)

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Mr. Penny was named Executive Director in 1977 after the retirement of Paul Keller in Johnston County. He was a U.S. Army Colonel in World War II. He was a strong community leader and a pastor. He expanded the economic development program to build homes for low-income people. Mr. Penny was a true leader in the community, a strong man of conviction, and an avid believer in his Creator.

 

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John W. Taylor, Sr. (deceased)

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Mr. Taylor served as Executive Director of Choanoke Area Development Association from 1965-1973. Under his leadership, the agency experienced tremendous growth and opportunity. We remember him as a great leader at the agency and in the Weldon community.

 

E. Marie Watson

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Ms. Watson is the current Executive Director of Johnston-Lee-Harnett Community Action. She has expanded the agency through grants and collaborations totaling approximately $6 million. Under her leadership, numerous programs have been developed or expanded. Although she holds both state and regional offices of leadership, she is never too busy to personally help someone in need.

 

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Louise G. Wilson (deceased)

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She served as Executive Director of Experiment in Self-Reliance from 1968-1985. Mrs. Wilson was a former educator in the local schools and Winston-Salem State. In 1976, she was honored with three prestigious awards- Kiwanis Club Distinguished Service Award, the NAACP Humanitarian Award, and the Winston-Salem Chapter of the Council of Negro Women’s Award. She was a legendary advocate for the poor.