Levi Belton to be honored as Person of the Year at Black History banquet

Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Levi Belton

Levy "Pops" Belton will be honored as the Person of the Year by the Mountain Home Community Black History Committee during its 19th annual Black History Banquet this Friday, Feb. 15.

The event will be held at War Memorial Hall in Mountain Home, 515 E. 2nd South St. Cocktails will begin at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7:15 p.m.

The cost to attend is $30 per person. RSVP by calling 587-3227.

The theme for this year's event is "Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of Multiculturalism."

The featured speaker at the event, which celebrates Black History Month and the contributions of local African-Americans in the community, will be Rosalund Jenkins, Executive Director of the Washington State Commission on African-American Affairs.

The event also will feature presentation of the Martin Luther King, Jr., award and the Thurgood Marshall award, for service to the community and the committee. The winners of those awards are not announced in advance.

Belton was born in Camden, S.C. After graduating from Jackson High School, he attended Benedict College. He began his military career in April 1961 and earned many awards and decorations during his career before retiring at Mountain Home AFB in March 1985 as a Master Sergeant.

Afterward, he worked within the federal government for 18 years with the Operations Support Squadron and Civil Engineer Squadron on Mountain Home AFB.

Belton is currently a member of Andrew Horton Military Lodge #8 (PHA) in Mountain Home. He has achieved the rank of Grand Inspector General with Lewis F. Cottrell Consistory #339 of the Nevada Jurisdiction. He is active in the local area by providing instructions, guidance, and ensures members of the Masonic Order are "proving a helping hand and brotherly love within the membership and community," according to a committee spokesperson. He also assists in bringing new programs to the area to help build the membership.

He has been a strong supporter of the Black History committee and its many activities, including serving on the the Juneteenth committee. "He provides information to the community and works to insure the committees are successful in their endeavors by ensuring maximum participation is accomplished and the committees are successful in their endeavors," the spokesperson said.

"He is a well-respected member of the community and the Mountain Home City government. He assists in many areas and serves on the Planning and Zoning committee. He has assisted citizens in voter registration and provided transportation for many first time voters. He also is very active with the Senior Citizen program in the community and assists in weekly programs at the Senior Center."

He is a certified sport's official in football, basketball, volleyball and softball. "His knowledge and experience is being utilized in this area from little league to college level," the committee said in announcing his award.

Along with officiating he coaches, and gives instructional clinics for all sports and provides instructions and clinic information with hands-on instruction when needed to the schools administrator, players and other officials.

"He constantly helps those looking for employment by assisting them with their applications and giving recommendations when needed, which has made it possible for many to find position in minimum time."

He primary attends the Love Abiding and Liberty churches in Mountain Home.

Jenkins, the featured speaker at the banquet was appointed as Executive Director of the Washington State Commission on African American Affairs by Governor Gregoire in June 2005. Prior to joining the Commission, she served as Marketing Director in the Employment Security Department.

While at Employment Security, Rosalund gained a reputation for innovation in public outreach and social marketing and earned multiple Governor's Quality awards. Her role as a special assistant to governors Gardner and Lowry including researching and writing various documents on the budget and on executive policy proposals to the Washington legislature.

Earlier in her state career, she was a public information officer for the Democratic Caucus of the Washington State House of Representatives, covering transportation, local government, and social and health issues.

She began her career as an announcer on a soul radio station and also worked as a reporter and photographer for a black newspaper before moving to Olympia in 1985 to join state service.

Since 1994, Rosalund has offered part-time consulting services to non-profits, churches, and government agencies serving ethnic communities. That work included grant writing, policy research, development of policy recommendations, and community engagement. Much of her consulting in the mid-1990s was done in partnership with the commission she now serves as director, including researching and writing various reports on affirmative action and the performance of African-American youth in public schools.

She is the only child of African-American parents who met while both were serving as non-commissioned officers in the U.S. Air Force. She is single and lives in West Olympia, Wash.

The banquet also will feature honoring those students who have won the Black History committee's Poster/Art and Essay contest, part of the committee's educational program efforts.

Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place for the poster/art and essays categories.

For further information about the banquet call 587-3227.

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  • CONGRATULATION !!!! Glad to know that you are still there holding it down.

    Jan & Rob Mays

    -- Posted by BIGJAN on Tue, Feb 26, 2008, at 8:17 PM
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