MEN OF COURAGE 2018 and Special Guests
(Standing Left to Right)
City Councilman John T. Chapman –
Alexandria, Virginia;
Pastor Charles Hall
– St. John Baptist Church (2017);
Brother Chris Harris,
President,
NAACP - Alex, VA Chapter;
Everett (Boobie) Mitchell
(2015);
Anthony Suggs, Sr.,
Program Host
- MEN OF COURAGE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS;
Randolph (Randy) Stephens
(2018),
Bill Cleveland
(2015);
Dawud Rawlings
(2018);
Reverend Michael Nedd,
Victory Temple Missionary Baptist Church
;
and
Pastor Johnnie L. Abram, Pastor,
Harvest Assembly Baptist Church
(2018)
Not Pictured
:
William E. (Bill) Campbell
(2018)
and
Keynote Speaker -
Pastor James Gibson,
First Baptist Church - Chesterbrook - McLean, Virginia
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SIXTH ANNUAL MEN OF COURAGE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
--
AWARDS PROGRAM
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A Great Success at VICTORY TEMPLE
Missionary Baptist Church –
Alexandria, Virginia
Article & Photos by Reba N. Burruss-Barnes -
REBAssociates INTL
[Alexandria, VA]
Congratulations to
Anthony Suggs, Sr.
and his wife,
Regina,
for successfully presenting the
SIXTH ANNUAL MEN OF COURAGE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS PROGRAM
recently presented at
VICTORY TEMPLE Missionary Baptist Church
located
at 2762 Duke Street in Alexandria, Virginia, where
Reverend Dr. Tom A. Bailey
serves as Senior Pastor.
Anthony Suggs, Sr., Founder,
MEN OF COURAGE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS PROGRAM
, shared his
Inspiration
and
Vision
to develop his awards program:
“
This vision came to me six years ago as I reflected on all the positive role models that we're placed in my life who helped keep me on the straight and narrow path. The men who gave so much of their time (coaches, mentors, etc.) I started this program because I wanted to show the men of Alexandria, Virginia that we appreciate their hard work and time they have given to invest
into our children and community. That's why I do what I do.”
Who are the Men of Courage?
Men who have shown the divine order of putting family first.
They speak positive messages, guide youth and provide heartfelt action and dedication to
the community. “Men of Courage” always lead by example and they will leave a legacy of
love, courage and service.
The Men of Courage Program was inspired by the 2011 film entitled “Courageous,” written by Alex and Stephen Kendrick and produced by Michael Catt, Stephen Kendrick and Jim McBride.
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be though dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Joshua 1:9
Family and Community Excitement along with a grand mix of manly pride filled the air as each gentleman was introduced to share their own personal achievement story. Mr. Suggs called each man to the podium and after their personal testimony, he presented a beautiful plaque as a trophy and a Standing Ovation as well as an introduction of their proud family.
Mr. Suggs shared a secret of how he chose the men to receive the Men of Courage Lifetime Achievement Award. Once his radar was set he would quietly make an observation of the man during their contributions as a Mentor, Coach, Community Leader and, yes, as a Pastor, too. No one knew who was being “observed” until the list of awardees was presented.
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Several speakers shared wonderful words of support and admiration:
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Minister Cynthia Nedd,
Associate Minister,
VTMBC,
shared
a
Letter to the Men of Courage
“If I Have Called You…”
-
a thought-provoking message that encouraged the joy, challenges & meaning of the day.
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Brother Chris Harris
,
President,
NAACP -
Alexandria, Virginia Chapter, and a member of the Departmental Club, shared words of support for the wonderful work done by Anthony Suggs, Sr.
in selecting and presenting the MEN OF COURAGE program.
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Keynote Speaker
Pastor James Gibson,
First Baptist Church - Chesterbrook - McLean, Virginia, shared the memorable phrase and an acronym for A.M.E.: “
Appreciation, Modeling, & Encouragement”.
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The audience members proudly applauded the men chosen to receive the
2018 MEN OF COURAGE Awards
from
“Cousin Anthony”
as he is fondly
called by his community of family and friends. The four award recipients were:
William E. (Bill) Campbell, Randolph (Randy) Stephens, Dawud Rawlings
and
Pastor Johnnie L. Abram,
Pastor,
Harvest Assembly BC
- Alexandria, Virginia.
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William E. (Bill) Campbell
Community Volunteer & Sports Coach and a Member of the Alexandria City School Board
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Randolph
(Randy)
Stephens
Community Activist and Historian
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Dawud Rawlings
Works for School Board and
Young Gentlemen’s Chess Club
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Pastor
Johnnie L.
Abram
Harvest Assembly
Baptist Church
Alexandria, Virginia
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Please click
MEN OF COURAGE
-
to see the full bios and printed program. Thanks!
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The closing selection was so fitting for the occasion as
Mr. Tony Craddock, Jr.,
Musician and Recording Artist,
performed
“Living Water”
on the Saxophone.
He humbly encouraged the audience by saying…
“
When you are weary, take a sip of the Living Water!”
as he quoted
Pastor James Gibson, and the newly shared acronym for the
MEN OF COURAGE program:
A.M.E.:
“Appreciation, Modeling, & Encouragement.”
or Text to
44144coldfront
to learn of his CD Recordings and Performances.
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Anthony Suggs, Sr.
welcomed Special Guest:
City Councilman
John T. Chapman
City of Alexandria, Virginia
Other Special Guests and Program Sponsors acknowledged were:
John Porter,
President/CEO of ACT for Alexandria
Members of the
Alexandria Chapter of the NAACP
Bill Campbell, School Board Member
Aaron “Pee Wee” Banks, All State Glass
Pastor Charles Hall, St. John’s Baptist Church
Myron Contee,
Chaplain, Alexandria Detention Center
Booker T. Wilkins,
ALL AMERICAN BARBER SHOP
Frank Fannon, Mortgage Banker,
SUN TRUST MORTGAGE
Mama Reacer’s Catering Service
Nathan Carter
Rev. Tom A. Bailey, Senior Pastor
VICTORY TEMPLE Missionary Baptist Church
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SPECIAL THANKS for the Musical Selections provided by:
Tony Craddock, Jr.,
Saxophonist/Recording Artist
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Tony Craddock, Jr. & Cold Front's music
connects the weather with inspirational messages to uplift people, just as a cold front lifts warm air. Tony's first two albums
Convection
(2013) and
Christmas in the Air
(2011) are featured on Pandora Radio, and have been aired on 45 radio stations
in the United States, United Kingdom, and Spain.
His next album is set for release in Spring 2018 (produced by Ken Navarro).
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Please click the photo for
the PRESS RELEASE
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Call Anthony & Regina Suggs
to suggest a nomination of a
MAN OF COURAGE
for next year!
(703) 801 - 8191
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"Cousin Anthony" welcomes your suggestions for future nominations as a
Man of Courage
from the Alexandria, Virginia Community. You may contact Mr. Anthony Suggs, Sr.
by writing to the
ANTHONY SUGGS, Sr.
(facebook page) or via
Anthony Suggs, Sr. is a proud Family Man, Mentor, Speaker and is married
to his lovely wife Regina. He is author of
DA BEAST WITHIN: STILL THE CHAMP.
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For more information, please contact:
REBAssociates
RESOURCE NETWORK INTERNATIONAL
Reba N. Burruss-Barnes
, Publicist
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