WELDON — Eight special Valley residents sat on the stage at The Centre at Halifax Community College for a celebration of Black History Month.  They were the chosen African-American heroes at the second annual honor.

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HCC President Ervin V. Griffin Sr. said they were chosen because, “They have charted new courses or burnt new trails through the wilderness of fear and prejudice so that others could follow in relative comfort. For us, each of these persons has indeed achieved greatness. That is why we at Halifax Community College honor them as our own African-American Heroes.”

Those receiving the special honor on Tuesday were Nathaniel Ausby, assistant manager of plant operations at Halifax Regional Medical Center; Vernon J. Bryant, District 6A Judicial district manager of Community Corrections and Roanoke Rapids Schools District School board chairman; Roy Edmonds, owner and head trainer of Jasard's Boxing Club; James Mills, mayor of Scotland Neck; Ayesha Neal-Harry, lead teacher at Murfreesboro Head Start; the Rev. Robert E. Sessoms, church pastor at Roanoke Salem Missionary Baptist Church; and Jacqueline Taylor, director of the Halifax County Board of Elections.

Two local youths were included in the group as “African-American Student Heroes” for overcoming many obstacles to pursue their college education. Receiving that special honor was HCC Associate in Arts student Spinosa Gee and HCC Advertising and Graphic Design student Lagolia Price.

All of the heroes were chosen by a nominating committee from forms sent throughout the community and advertised on campus and the college Web site.

While all of the heroes honored on Tuesday will be profiled throughout the next week in the Daily Herald, two contrasting heroes seemed to set the tone of the program. There were eloquent speakers, including Mills, Bryant and the Sessoms — these two really seemed to touch the audience.

Taylor is a woman of tiny stature but great heart, who could barely be seen behind the podium as she gave her acceptance speech. Roy Edmonds is a huge man and a former professional boxer who could not have been missed, nearly dwarfing the lectern as he spoke.

Taylor came from the White Oak Community in Enfield and graduated from Eastman High School before attending North Carolina Central University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in history. She returned to Halifax County and worked as a social worker for the Department of Social Services before becoming the director of the Halifax County Board of Elections in 2000.

She spoke to the audience in a quiet but firm tone about not just being an African-American woman, but as a woman who puts family first in her life. “As a person and particularly as a woman, we often times do so much, for so little. We often don't recognize the sacrifices and the hard work or the affects that we have on other people's lives, so it is good at some point in time, for someone to say, 'hello, you're my hero'” Taylor said.

“We're all disciples and we're on a daily journey,” Taylor said, “So what we should do is live our lives so we can affect someone in a positive way everyday.”

In stark contrast, Edmonds, who accepted his award proudly, became overcome with emotion as he tried to express his feelings to the audience. Several times he simply stopped talking, unable to continue as tears streamed down his huge face, bringing many audience members to their feet as they shouted encouragement from their seats.

Edmonds owns Jasard’s Boxing Club in Weldon, where he dedicates his life to teaching youth and adults the ideals and importance of dedication, preparation, hard work and discipline. He said he works hard to promote a healthy and moral lifestyle and to instill traits such as confidence and self-discipline in the Valley’s youth.

“I was born in North Carolina but I grew up in New York,” Edmonds managed before choking up. “I worked with the kids in New York and I worked with me. It was a positive thing for me and even though I didn’t accomplish all of the goals that I set out to, it made me who I am today.”

Edmonds told the audience about being one of the first responders at ground zero after the attacks on the World Trade Center and about taking his young boxers to Paris to compete on a world level. “I try to work with the young men and women. I try to make them a better person and to let them know that they can be anything they want to be as long as they try to work hard at it,” he said. The crowd rose and gave him a standing ovation.

After Griffin presented his closing remarks, congratulating all of the 2009 African-American Heroes, Dr. Stanley Edwards, president of the Halifax Community College Board of Directors told the heroes, “We are all better because of what you have faced. You have changed the lives of many because of what you have done in this community.”

A reception and luncheon followed where friends, family members, teachers, faculty and community leaders met with the day’s heroes. Black History Month continues at The Centre through the end of February with the Mary Ellen Jones Art exhibit through the end of the month. Historically Black College and University Day is on today at 11 a.m. and Quilts of the Underground Railroad, along with the Portia Hawes exhibit tomorrow at 11 a.m.