Anita’s Harmony’s First Annual Men’s Empowerment Luncheon held in Harpers Ferry, WV on Saturday, August 26, 2017 was a featured story in West Virginia’s The Journal.
Awards presented at men’s luncheon
HARPERS FERRY — On Aug. 26, 2017, Charles Town native, Anita [Stephenson] Walker, owner of Anita’s Harmony LLC, a faith and community focused business based out of Baltimore, Maryland, presented Anita’s Harmony first annnual “Men’s Empowerment Luncheon,” held at the Clarion Inn, in Harpers Ferry. Walker is steadfast on reinvesting and contributing to her childhood community. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a local outreach program that will be determined at a later date.
The theme was “Who’s the Man in the Mirror.” The purpose of the event was for men in the communities to come together to break bread, inspire and encourage one another. Walker stated, “There is a real challenge of motivating, educating, and empowering our males, whether they are newly minted young men or senior members of our society. The community needs God-fearing positive men to show the next generation of men how to become a positive role model for the future generation.”
Guest speakers were the Rev. Jeffrey Berry, of Wainwright Baptist Church and Elder Richard Rideoutt, of Kingdom Life Cathedral Ministries Inc. Both gave powerful speeches gearing their topic on the foundation of men moving from negativity to positivity, with its primary principle that male role models are needed to provide support and encouragement for all men, especially the young ones, to live a purposeful life and have opportunities to learn how to empower themselves and others. It all starts with self-respect and the benefits can grow forward.
Representatives from notable organizations were in attendance. George Rutherford, president of the Jefferson County NAACP; Philip Adams Sr., grand master of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of West Virginia; and Larry Togans, director of Bank of Charles Town as well as several members of their organizations came to support this empowerment movement for men to be the very best man he can be – by surrounding themselves with positive people so that they can be more positive at home and in society. Walker stated that she was extremely grateful for the support of these men who have served as role models for her when she lived in Charles Town.
At the start of the program, all of the men were given compact mirrors and told they would be asked at the conclusion of the luncheon who did they see when looking in the mirror – a man who’s broken or the potential president of the United States? After having time to ponder on that question, in a room cascaded with positive energy, a number of attendees provided their answers. Men from various backgrounds shared what man they saw when they looked in that compact mirror. Prince Hall Masonic member, Charles Kidrick, spoke passionately as he stated, “We must get back to the basics. We as men need to uplift one another.” Another attendee, Ervin Ward, of Martinsburg, stated, “I will continue to work on becoming a better man for myself and my family.” Walker stated, “It is a known fact that the people you have around you play an important part on how you carry yourself. Hearing and seeing negative actions tends to lead a person to do negative things. Just as being around positivity will tend to make a person want to be and do positive things. This event welcomed each man with open arms to provide support and accept advice on how to strengthen his own heart and soul.” At the end, all were in agreement they left feeling empowered to be better individuals on a personal level as well as for their community.
Source: journal-news.net
