(KNOXVILLE, TN) The Beta Theta Boule’ Foundation, Inc., hosted its 3rdAnnual Father’s Day Luncheon Celebration at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Knoxville. About 300 fathers, families and their guests dined on a buffet-style meal that featured prime rib to music performed by pianist Jaylen McCoy who is a junior at Hardin Valley High School.
Television and radio personality Hallerin Hill led the program with assistance from Harold Hicks, Johnnie Cannon and Russell Harris.
The 2018 Fatherhood Excellence Award was presented to Logan Hill, Pastor Joseph Tolbert, and Anthony Ingram for their varied innovative youth and community outreach activities. Three 2018 graduates from area high schools, were awarded scholarships.
Logan Hill established Project HOPE (Helping Our People Earn and Learn) a community gardening program for youth that teaches science, technology, engineering, math and financial literacy through practical applications. With help from fellow members of Men In Christ/Men In Community Hill turned a half-acre lot of city-owned property into a motivational teaching tool for neighborhood children. The five students in the program earn a stipend and each have a senior citizen with whom they will share their harvests.
As manager of Project HOPE, Hill has partnered with the Agriculture Divisions of TSU and UT, First Tennessee Bank, TVA Retirees Assc., and retired teachers in Blount County. Hill is a native of Alcoa, TN, and a retired food scientist. He is a TSU honors graduate, and has a Master’s Degree in Biochemistry/Food Science from Iowa State University.
Pastor Joseph Tolbert entered ministry officially in 1997, as a Deacon and Youth Advisor. Throughout his ministry Tolbert has created innovative ways to spiritually connect with youth and young adults. As Senior Pastor of Foster Chapel Baptist Church since 2005, many new and small group ministries have been established to include; Bereavement, College Outreach, and Drama. Foundation 101 (a signature ministry) mentors males from diverse communities and backgrounds, and encourages parent participation. Tolbert revitalized the Children’s Ministry, Youth Choir, and Couples,
When a local utility company was hiring, a few years ago, Tolbert recognized potential applicants could not apply for being absent from their present jobs. So he set up Saturday interviews at the church to facilitate the recruiting process.
Anthony Ingram earned Eagle with Palms ranking in 1977, and continued by making scouting his career. Ingram is presently District Director Chehote Council of the Greater Smoky Mountain Council of Boy Scouts of America. The Chehote district encompasses the inner-city and Empowerment Zones of Knox county.
Under Ingram’s leadership enrollment in his district has increased 698% from 2007-2017. The Chehote Council works closely with Knoxville’s Community Development Corp. to offer scouting to youth residing in public housing. The Chehote Council’s partners include Wesley House, Boys and Girls Clubs, Save Our Sons, Thrive Lonsdale, Greater Schools Partnership, and City of Knoxville Parks & Rec. among others. Ingram’s mastery of the Spanish language has enabled him to also work with the Latino Task Force, Centro Hispano, Asian Festival, Bridge Refuge Services, and more.
Terisha Rishana Grant was awarded the Zaevion Dobson Scholarship for her academic record, leadership skills and her commitment to faith and family. She graduated from Farragut High with a 3.71 GPA, and plans to attend the University of Tenn, Chatt to persue Accounting and Business Management. Her parents are Teresa Scruggs and Richard Grant.
Scholarship recipient Joey Leon Smith was captain of both the football and track teams during his years at Fulton High and managed to finish with a 3.82 GPA. Joey plans to study Geology. He and his twin sister Jalisha plan to attend MTSU. Their parents are Delisha Croom and Joey Smith.
Johnathan Lee Cole, Jr is a Halls High grad with a 3.57 GPA. He moved here from Jackson, TN last fall. Johnathan plans to study Electrical Engineering at Pellissippi State then at Tennessee Tech. His parents are Johnathan and Erica Cole.