The Saving Our Youth Organization will host its 2nd Annual Scholarship Banquet at 6 p.m. Saturday at “Good Times On 29” at 5791 Highway 29 South.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from any Saving Our Youth board member or Alvin Sankey, Glenda Fayson, Catherine Jordan, Debra Frazier or Minister DeWitt Knox or on the web at www.savingouryouthchanginglives.info.

Lashonda Spikner Martin, founder and CEO of Saving Our Youth Organization, said the keynote speaker for the banquet will be Dr. Tamara LaShay Fleming, national recording artist, licensed professional counselor and founder of “I Am Whole Women’s Empowerment” and “One Voice Ministries” in Dothan.

The theme for the scholarship banquet is “Bridging the Gap Between Youth and Adults in 2019.”

“Our Pillar of the Community Honorees are Shelia Jackson, Mary Griffin, Jamie McClain and Isabell Boyd,” Martin said. “Shelia Jackson is a recording artist and the tourism and public relations director for the City of Troy,” Martin said. Mary Griffin is the Upward Bound coordinator. She has dedicated most of her life to helping change the lives of youth.

“Jamie McClain is the founder of SAFE, Securing A Future for Everyone, a non-profit organization that shapes and molds teenagers into promising adults. Isabell Boyd has been in politics for over 20 years. She is currently serving Brundidge as mayor and is the first African American woman hold that position in Brundidge.

“All of our Honorees are women of God that take their platforms seriously and love people.”

Others on the program will be Minister T.K Ware of Montgomery, Prophetess Katrina Harris Hardison of Eufaula, Pastors Isaiah and Justine Richardson Jr., Pastors of Spirit and Truth International Ministries in Clanton, Elder Felicia Jackson of Faith Alive Church in Montgomery and City Troy Councilwoman Wanda Moultry District 5.

“Entertainment will be provided by ‘Songbird’ Nina Kinsey-Goshea of Troy and Jeff McClure, Jr. will be the musician for the evening. 

Saving Our Youth Organization was founded in June of 2017 by Lashonda Spikner Martin her husband Clyde Martin III

“Our goal is to save the lives of children one child at a time,” Martin said. “We allow God to lead the way. We hold carnivals, adoption of families for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We have scholarships available through our college summits. This year we awarded $2,500 in scholarships to local high school seniors that met the criteria. We will do whatever it takes to save the children of Pike County and other communities as well.”