Two NFL Players Highlight Elem. School BHM Program

PORTSMOUTH
Two NFL players recently highlighted a student program at Douglass Park Elementary School in Portsmouth on positive behavior, anti-bullying, and being successful in life. The program was presented twice and hosted by local Community Activist Kimberly Wimbish, Executive Board Member Portsmouth NAACP and Chairperson for WIN (Women In the NAACP). The NFL special invited guests were Lynden Trail of the Washington Redskins and Deon King of the Indianapolis Colts.

The event came about after Wimbish contacted the school principal asking about any upcoming Black History Month programs to be held at the school. Through conversation with the Principal, Mrs. Dusti Johnson Brinker, the plan came together to host two uplifting assemblies, with Wimbish inviting Trail and King to join her on the panel.

Wimbish said she realized the importance of involving the men to help grab the attention of the youth by having two athletes from the local area showing the students the importance of serving and giving back to their community.

Two weeks ago the players joined Wimbish as they hosted over 750 people in honor of National Heart Month at the Heartbeat Gala bringing awareness of heart disease to the Hampton Roads area. They presented two Norfolk State University students affected by heart disease with the Sara C. Rodgers Education Scholarship fund. Wimbish said it has been her goal for the last couple of years to get local players to give back to the youth in Hampton Roads during their off season time with events like these.

Each assembly lasted 45 minutes with discussion and Q&A after each.