Marengo County – Black Belt Communities In Action

Marengo County Community Coalition

Blood Drive Held at the Demopolis Civic Center

Wallace Community College Surgical Tech Program

Sweetwater High School t Article host the first annual Meet the Bulldogs

Epiphany Highlights Blood Pressure Issues

UAB Epiphany recently held a Family Health and Fun day at New Birth Outreach Ministry in Demopolis, Alabama. The event was meant to entice people to get their blood pressure checked and gain insight on healthy ways to manage or lower blood pressure.

The UAB Epiphany project is a two- year research study that is funded by the American Heart Association. It is a lifestyle modification program and organizers are looking to enroll a total of 20 churches across the Black Belt region and enroll 460 participants who have elevated blood pressure. During the duration of the program, UAB Epiphany partners will enroll one church from each county within the Black Belt region.

Participants who qualify for this program are 19 years of age and older, self-identify as African American, have elevated blood pressure, and currently do not have any comorbidities. Should a person qualify for the program, there will be a two-year commitment. They will have a baseline of 6-, 12- and 24-months visit.

Through this program, participants get lifestyle modifications on how to become healthier, eating healthier foods, exercising, as well as learning how to cope with blood pressure. For more information on the UAB Epiphany program or to join the program, please call 1 (205) 996-2862.

STAYING INFORMED

The Black Belt Community Foundation Community Engagement Conversations Meeting & Dates

Marengo County………….. Ratliff Center……. Tuesday, July 25…… 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

306 1^st Avenue Demopolis, Alabama

Bullock County ……………..Bullock County Courthouse ……………..5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Greene County ………… Robert H. Young Community Center …… 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Eutaw, Alabama

These meetings will be held to inform the latest iteration of BBCF’s Strategic Plan.

The meetings will entail discussion on organizations experiences with BBCF, how the BBCF can help meet the needs in the county, new ideas about programs and services and open questions for leadership teams. Sessions will be hosted by Quire Consulting.

For more information, questions and dates not listed, please contact William McCullum with Quire Consulting at (205) 202-0877 or via email at will@quireconsulting.com

2023 Back-to-School sales tax holiday was July 21-23

The annual Back-to-School sales tax holiday began on July 21 from 12:01 a.m. and went to midnight on Sunday, July 23. This year marked the 18 year since the holiday was enacted in 2006. The shoppers had the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers, and clothing free of state sales tax. The three day sale was created to give shoppers a temporary break from taxes on school supplies for the school year.

Marengo County was among the numerous counties and municipalities that participated in the holiday. For a complete list of tax-exempt and taxable items for next year, go to https://www.revenue.alabama.gov/sales-use/sales-tax-holiday

Back to School Book Bag Give

Hornets On The Move

Hornets on the Move in Sumter County
The Sumter County ASU Alumni Chapter/NAA-ASU held the 3rd Annual Alabama State University Day on May 6 from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon at the Courthouse Square in Livingston, Alabama. There were many ASU participants along with other historical colleges and
universities alumni. The welcome and presentations were done by the Chapter president, Mr. Lucious Black, Jr., Opening Prayer by Dr. Liza Howard followed by the Alabama State Alma Mater lead by Mrs. Bernice W. Nixon and Mr. Ryan Campbell. Greetings were given by ASU
Trustee member, Judge Eddie Hardaway who also donated gift certificates and other monetary awards, Mayor Pro-tem Gerald Holloway and Mayor Willie Lake. A brief history and facts of Alabama State University were given by Mr. Wayne Washington, with presentations coming from ASU official, Dr. Freddie Williams, Jr.. Gift certificates, monetary awards and other door prizes were given to lucky ticket holders. Vice-President Eleanor James and President Lucious Black presented the scholarship awards. Delicious hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks were served and prepared by Mr. & Mrs. Lorenzo and Thelma Winston. Music was provided by Mr. Alfred Hale, Jr. The vendors that attended disseminated promotional items, brochures and pamphlets on substance abuse, mental health, vaccinations, voting and other topics. The Sumter County ASU Alumni Chapter would like to extend to all alumni to join the Chapter as it continues providing community activities and scholarships to deserving students. For more information and to join the Chapter, please contact the Chapter President, Mr. Lucious Black, Jr., Vice President, Eleanor James or any ASU Alumnus.
This 2023 ASU Day was dedicated in part to the late Mrs. Amy Issac, the former Chapter secretary.
Submitted by Mrs. Bernice W. Nixon, the Chapter writer and photographer.

Article On Man Band

Etiquette Class at Linden High School on April 20

Bernice Black History News Article Spring Fling Article

Main Street Demopolis.Article

HEALTH Care article

ON THE MOVE

The Marengo County Coalition meets the first Tuesday of each month through Zoom at 10:00 A.M.

If you are interested in joining the Marengo County Coalition, please call Bernice W. Nixon at 1(251)355-9846 or Kendrick Pugh at 1(251) 769-0627.

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“We are constantly striving to bring a positive change to Marengo County Youth and Adults with a strong focus on underage drinking and knowledge about others drugs and suicide.”

It is the mission of the Marengo County Children’s Policy Council to identify needs and resources to protect children and their families through the collaboration of individuals and agencies serving our county.

The Marengo County Children’s Policy Council’s Community in Action (CIA) Project is to reduce underage drinking in our community, resulting in notable improvements in our community in raising awareness of the problem and reducing 30-day use, and increasing the perception of harm for underage alcohol use. Our county has received a Partnership for Success (PFS) Grant to continue and extend these efforts throughout Marengo County.

CIA consists of key stakeholders in our community, those who know the dangers of underage drinking and have joined together to reduce and ultimately eliminate this problem in our community. It is our goal to create sustainable strategies, projects, and activities to deter underage alcohol use by increasing readily available resources for children and teens and increase parental disapproval. This task can be accomplished by bringing more key stakeholders in the community in alignment with the mission and efforts of the CIA. With this understanding, I, La Toya Witherspoon-Marengo County’s Coalition Coordinator, would like to formally invite you to join CIA. Bring your ideas, plans and resources to help make a stronger, more aligned stance against underage drinking– Let’s Say NO Together!

By joining with the coalition your efforts become aligned
with these CIA members:

Judge Vincent Deas Chairman	Mentral Ledbetter	Tiffany Smith
Kevin Bell	Patricia Moore	Agt. Jason Ward
Carol Dixon	Susanna Naisbett	Robert Ware
Officer Darren Glass	Natalie Quinney	Shenika Williams
Kim Gibson	Chief Tommie Reese	Rev. David Willis
Gina Johnston	Andy Renner	YOU

By joining with the coalition your efforts become aligned
with these CIA members:

Judge Vincent Deas Chairman	Mentral Ledbetter	Tiffany Smith
Kevin Bell	Patricia Moore	Agt. Jason Ward
Carol Dixon	Susanna Naisbett	Robert Ware
Officer Darren Glass	Natalie Quinney	Shenika Williams
Kim Gibson	Chief Tommie Reese	Rev. David Willis
Gina Johnston	Andy Renner	YOU