METRO DISABILITY COALITION RECOGNIZES THOSE WHO GO ABOVE & BEYOND TO HELP OTHERS

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(Louisville, KY) The Metro Disability Coalition will hold our 23rd Annual Breaking Barriers Spotlight Awards on Friday, May 9th from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at the Rudd Heart & Lung Center located at 201 Abraham Flexner Way.

Prior to the ceremony, there will be a reception for special honorees, dignitaries and other special guests participating in the program. This year, Shannon Davis aka ‘Coach by Shine’ will serve as this year’s master of ceremony.   

We are excited to announce that this year’s guest speaker is Dr. Sherry Babbage Melisizwe.  The Louisville community knows her as Dr. Babbage and her main practice which was established in West Louisville.Educating the community on dental health and treatment. She graduated from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. Becoming a D.M.D in 1981. Making her one of the few African American female dentists in the Commonwealth of Kentucky at that time. Receiving countless awards for work in her profession and service to the community.  Dr. Babbage says the work she does is her ministry. We chose Dr. Babbage because she demonstrates professionalism and love for her community each and every day. 

The evening is a celebration for those who take time out of their day to assist others. Its concern for others is what makes the following special.  They take pride in giving back and they care about the well-being of all people in the community.  The following good neighbors and unsung heroes in their various fields range from service workers, educators to youth who go above and beyond the call of duty to assist those in need. Which includes many from Jefferson County Public Schools, (JCPS). We are excited to announce this year’s honorees.     

Here is a list of this year’s Breaking Barriers Spotlight Award honorees:

Marcellus Mayes

Lifetime Achievement Award

Don’Quel Ja’kur Andrews

Merit Award

Onyx Sands

Spotlight Award

Simmons College of Kentucky Men’s Basketball team

Community Service Award

Dominique Williams, TARC driver

Marvin Hawkins, TARC driver

James Allen, TARC driver

Kevin Richardson, Fitness & Wellness trainer

Kiara James, Pushing Forward

Certificate of Merit

Special thanks to Grace Smith and family.

Grace Smith

Rachel Smith

Marti Davis

Sharon McDade

Breaking Barriers Spotlight Student & Teacher Awards recipients: 

Teachers & Staff

Elementary School

Robyn Ballinger,

Chenoweth Elementary

Middle School

Shawana Brown,

Knight Middle School

High School

Vanessa “Lexie” Kemper,

Newcomer Academy & several other schools

Students

Elementary School

Micah Patterson, Schaffner Traditional Elementary

Clinney Tyler, Hawthorne Elementary

Middle School

Stuthi Dev, Noe Middle School

Levi Logsdon, Knight Middle School

High School

Bryan Lasley, Waggener High School

Brayden Tiernan, Fairdale High School

The VIPP Report: Moments that Matter with Huanmei Wang

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By Sherlene Shanklin

In today’s Moments that Matter, As we come to the close of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month we have learned a lot about culture, lifestyle and to learn more about our neighbors.  I spoke to a JCPS teacher who helps make a child’s transition a little smoother.

Let me to introduce you to Huanmei Wang.  She was born in China. Serving as an ESL teacher at Camp Taylor Elementary. 
She says “I help ESL student to learn English. ESL stands for English as a second language.”

Ms. Wang as students call her explains her role and importance.  She says many of the students have never been to school until they get to her.
Wang says “This program is designed especially for those who like speak a language other than English at home. A lot of students come from foreign countries and a lot of people are even refugees.”

She’s a support system for many. She tells a story of a young child born in the U.S. that went back to her country so her grandmother could care for her while her parents worked. Upon her return, Ms. Wang was an link to home. She says “That person came, she wouldn’t talk to anybody else except for me because maybe I talk maybe in her language. They say this student cant talk.  Yes, she can just with me. I think I am a support for her. A person she can come too.”

Today, that young lady is a sophomore in college.  Ms. Wang meets each student where they are working to get them caught up with their peers. 
So when did Ms. Wang know she wanted to be a teacher? “That’s very funny (laughing) I  had a dream actually. Wang you are a kindergarten teacher in that local school. I said oh really you know. I think I was meant to be a teacher.”
She literally followed her dreams.  She beams so much pride and a sense of accomplishment when they learn.  “When you see a student say something you teach you feel really excited aww we got it. We got it.”

Ms. Wang wanted to give fellow educators some advice on non-verbal communication. She says to try and greet them with a smile.  It will go a long way.  She goes on to say “God created everybody in different purposes maybe was made for that purpose.  If kids like you, they will be willing to learn.”         

►Contact Moments that Matter’s Sherlene Shanklin at sshanklin@whas11.com or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. 

To see the story click the link > https://www.whas11.com/article/news/community/moments-that-matter/jcps-esl-teacher-helps-students-cross-language-barrier/417-bdca5638-a73e-4c24-a278-6b4b66478253

The VIPP Report: Owner of Superchefs challenges community to feed a JCPS student

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CHEF DARNELL FERGUSON TAKING ON THE FOOD CHALLENGE ONE CITY AT A TIME

Darnell Superchef Ferguson(Louisville, KY) Darnell “Superchef” Ferguson learned that hunger doesn’t take a day off.  He had the opportunity to talk to the team of “Blessings in a Backpack” and they shared with him the staggering number of elementary children that need assistance when it comes to food, particularly on weekends within Jefferson County.

They serve 4,700 children at 43 schools in the Louisville Metro Area.  That’s impressive but that’s only 7% of the 64,000 who qualify.

Superchef is ready to take on the challenge and he will be calling on the community to help.  It takes approximately $100 to feed one child during a 38-week school year which does not include the summer break.

Darnell says “Can you imagine sitting at home on the weekend and not having enough food and you are counting down the time until you can get breakfast on Monday morning?  It’s hard and sad to imagine.  I know we as a community can make a difference in the lives of these children and I’m willing to lead the way.  We are not going to have a start date because these children needed food yesterday.”

To setup an interview with Darnell “Super Chef” Ferguson or if you would like to know how you can help with his challenge to help us feed one school at time, please contact us at please contact VIPP Communications at 502-295-0435 or by email at info@vippcommunications.com.

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Super Chefs located at 1702 Bardstown Road.  To reserve your lunch delivery service, you can call 502-409-8103 or by going to www.eatsuperchefs.com/.

VIPP Communications is a full service public relations, event management and production firm headquartered in Louisville, KY with clients and/or projects all over the U.S. We can create, maintain and sustain your brand.  Our clientele range from small businesses, non-profits, corporate leaders, entertainment to current and retired professional athletes.  Contact one of our team members to see if we can assist you at info at vippcommunications dot com.