Family Awareness Day June 25
By Brandon Davis
Published in News on June 20, 2016 11:58 AM
Cutral Holmes began Inspiring Hope Group Inc. two years ago in order for young people to make better decisions for the future, and on Saturday, June 25, at H.V. Brown Park at 500 HV Brown Lane in Goldsboro, Holmes and other volunteers will host Family Awareness Day from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. to ensure the goal is met.
After the 45-year-old Holmes experienced his third stroke in 2014, it was time to make some changes -- in Wayne County.
"I just started trying, any chance I could get, (to) reach out to other jobs in the community to see if we could just bring people together," Holmes said. "And sort of develop something for the betterment, and hopefully other communities and towns can see that just because we are small doesn't mean we can't vibrate into something big."
Holmes says Inspiring Hope Group Inc. all started in 2014 when he and his group presented a dinner at Granite Day Park to families. The dinner led to a back-to-school event in 2015 at H.V. Brown Park, but Holmes says something nagged him.
"We got together this time and said, 'let's try to do something this time very meaningful'," he said.
Family Awareness Day will provide employment education for young people, and Holmes says Johnston Community College will offer resume training and dress-for-success education at the park. Holmes hopes FAD will reduce crime in Goldsboro and increase employment for Wayne County's youth.
But where you have young people, you must have entertainment.
DJ Lil' Joe and DJ black will provide the music for the day, and comedian Tara "Sistabigbone" could "go clean or go full blast," says Holmes, but he believes she will stay clean. Sharon Dixon will perform her African Dance Movement and Spoken Word, and A New Beginning Gospel Choir will give a biblical message to families.
"This gathering is for the community (for) everyone to come out, laugh, sing along, dance, just have a good time," Holmes said. "Because Memorial Day Weekend, Goldsboro is just like on fire. This is the place to be. Why can't it be like that 24/7? The only way to do that is to bring in different things, something for these kids and this community to do every weekend."