Words and Image by Jenny Lynn Davis
The Bridge Educational Philanthropy hosted its third annual Juneteenth Celebration of Excellence Luncheon at the Jasper Civic Center on Saturday, June 14.
The event commemorates a significant day in American history. Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19, marks the emancipation of the last enslaved African Americans in 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It also honors those who have made a significant impact on the local community.
This year’s luncheon honored three beloved local educators—Lady Evie Moore Palmer, Mrs. Christye Medlock, and Mr. Vincent Medlock Sr.—for their service to students in the Jasper City and Walker County school systems, as well as their broader impact on the community.
Evie Moore Palmer served as the At-Risk Coordinator for the Jasper City School System, where she worked closely with students who needed additional academic and personal support. She centered her teaching philosophy around the quote, “A child does not care how much you know until they know that you care.” After retiring, she continued her work in ministry and music, and currently serves as minister of music at Greater Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Jasper.
Vincent Medlock Sr. spent nearly 40 years in the local school systems. He began his teaching and coaching career at Dora High School before transferring to Walker High School, where he taught special education and served as department chair. He also launched the school’s track program and coached football and basketball. As an assistant basketball coach, he was part of a program that saw years of success. Even after retiring from teaching, he remained involved in high school athletics as a referee and official.
Christye Medlock also taught in the local school systems for nearly four decades. She spent 12 years at Curry High School before moving to Walker High School, where she taught for 26 years. She has worked with Girls Inc. of Central Alabama’s Walker County Center for over 20 years, including the past decade as the center director. She has also served on various community committees and initiatives supporting youth and education.
Attendees also heard from guest speaker Dr. A.B. Sutton Jr., founder of the Next Level Leadership Institute and a leader in educational equity and empowerment. Sutton spoke from Luke 5 on “The Making of World Changers,” using the story of Jesus calling his first disciples to draw parallels to the work of teachers, calling them “the backbone of society” and urging them not to grow discouraged in difficult times. “You may be teaching the next Supreme Court Justice or the one who holds the cure for cancer. Teach every person as though your life depends on it, because it does,” he said.
Sutton also challenged the audience to continue supporting educators, especially as modern pressures face public education. “Education is not just about information. It’s about inspiring people to see new possibilities,” he said.
Sponsors of this year’s luncheon include Josh Gates, Walker Women’s Specialists, Patriot Jacks Landworx, Jasper Main Street, Bevill State Community College, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, and the Walker Area Community Foundation.
The mission of The Bridge Educational Philanthropy is to identify, create, develop, and refine resources while making them readily accessible to the community. This goal is achieved through ongoing research and educational services. The organization partners with other nonprofit organizations and foundations to ensure students and families reach their academic, health, emotional, and socioeconomic goals. Additionally, The Bridge provides access to tutoring, test preparation, and wraparound services, including mentoring, resume development, college application assistance, and FAFSA support, at low or no cost to clients. WL
