The Ben D, Johnson Educational Center was awarded a $9,648.08 grant to fund Legacy Youth Development. This program will offer work readiness training program for youth. On front row from left are the Rev. Kelvin Porter, Vice Chairman of the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation, Inc.; Dallas Russell, Executive Director of Ben D. Johnson Educational Center; and the Rev. Leo J. Walker, Sr. Chairman of the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation, Inc. In back is Mildred Dean Joseph, Budget and Grants Committee Chairperson.
Ben D. Johnson Educational Center was awarded $9,648 in grant funds from the Natchitoches Community Improvement Foundation, Inc. The grant to Ben D. Johnson Educational Center will be used to offer a work readiness training program for young people ages 16-24 who are out of work and out of school.
Community Programs of the City of Natchitoches was awarded a $1,000 grant. Funds will offer an affordable art camp for youth ages 6-12. AA Camp is a partnership between the City of Natchitoches and Northwestern State University. From left are the Rev. Kelvin Porter, De’Andrea Sanders, Youth Program Coordinator, the Rev. Leo J. Walker Sr. and Mildred Dean Joseph.
The Legacy Youth Workforce Development program will begin in March of 2019 and will offer job placement and support services as a component of the greater BDJ Center.
The Ben Johnson Educational Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in honor of the late Ben D. Johnson whose holdings represented one of the largest minority-owned enterprises in the state.
Natchitoches Jr. High-Frankie Ray Jackson School Journalism Club was awarded a $9,351.92 grant to purchase equipment. From left are Mildred Dean Joseph, the Rev. Leo J. Walker Sr., Lakesha Walker, Project Manager, the Rev. Kelvin Porter, Kristie Irchirl, Principal and Akilah Issac, Club Advisor.
