Hundreds of people attended IEA's (Inspire, Encourage, Achieve) Camp Bright Star Closing Ceremony luncheon which was held at the MCM Elegante. The luncheon included performances by the 50 campers who participated in the program. An award was presented to Marion Colbert, the mother of 22 children (20 are still living), who are now successful nurses, doctors, pastors and other professionals. The guest speaker was Kemba Smith, (shown here in the gray jacket)the only child of middle-class parents who became the poster child for mandatory drug sentencing laws. While attending Hampton University, Smith got involved with a drug dealer. As a result, she was sentenced to 24.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to cocaine trafficking and conspiracy even though the prosecutor admitted she never handled or sold drugs. She spent nearly seven years in prison before she was pardoned by former President Bill Clinton and released. Her parents and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund had successfully lobbied on her behalf. Now, the 37-year-old mother and wife (she recently married a man who graduated from Lamar University) travels around the country warning young people to stay in school and make healthy choices.
No comments:
Post a Comment