BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – Raleigh County NAACP President Barbara Charles has been the voice for the voiceless in West Virginia for over decades. Back in the 60’s she was a part of the civil rights movement. Charles has been a member of the NAACP and majorettes since the age of 14.
“I find it to be a very challenging role to come into. To be able to see that we can make some changes for some of the things that have occurred. I came here as a person of change and I remember pastor would always say to us in God’s own time,” said Charles.
Vice President of Raleigh County NAACP and Beckley native James H. Cox is the first person to receive the Living Legend award. Cox has been apart of NAACP for over a decade and says he serves for the community and the youth.
“I think all kids are special. I think young black kids have to understand in our community, in this area that we are in, is that they are not defined by what they run into or who they encounter. They are defined by their soul, who God created them to be,” said Cox.
Charles spends her condolences to West Virginia native and American mathematician Katherine Johnson who pass away on February 24th, 2020. Katherine Johnson helped send the first Americans into space.
