Kinston native gives back

Choosing not to forget the community where he grew up, William King returns to a Kinston neighborhood at least once a year to encourage local youth.

King, a 1989 graduate of Kinston High School, currently lives in Cary with his wife, Dina. In 2006, King along with two former Kinston residents - Elijah Chapman and Napolean Bryant - decided to give back to a community that helped show them how to succeed in life.

St. John's Village at Highland Avenue provides a setting for building stronger communities every October. More than 100 people turned out Saturday for the annual Kinston Youth Initiative neighborhood block party at the village.

"We heard three years ago that things were getting bad in the community where we grew up," King said. "We decided to come back to show people there is a way to make it out of poverty."

Several members from St. John's Baptist Church also attended the event Saturday. Dr. W. J. Best, pastor of St. John's, showed his support for the community.

"This is my first year here," he said. "We are having a little fun today."

Two lifelong residents of the neighborhood thanked King and his friends for coming back to help uplift the community's spirits.

"It's good to see William, Elijah and Napolean," Joseph Thompson of Kinston said. "I knew them when they were growing up."

Thompson said King and his friends provide the community with positive role models to follow.

"You don't have to turn to drugs and be bad just because you live in the projects," Thompson said.

James Fonville Sr. moved to Kinston in 1947. He also attended the youth initiative event Saturday.

"The older kids are able to show the younger kids that they can have a better future," Fonville said.

The afternoon was filled with music, games, a voter registration drive and food for everyone to enjoy. St John's Village resident Wanda Hardy thanked King for his efforts.

"This is a blessing for us," she said. "The community gets together for a good cause."

More than 50 children attended the event including 9-year-old Isaiah Brooks. Isaiah attended the party last year and currently attends Teachers Memorial Elementary School.

"It's been a fun day," he said.

Several children said they enjoyed touring a Kinston Fire-Rescue truck, which was parked at St. John's Village for the event. Fire-Rescue Capt. R. E. Culbreth said it was a great idea for the community to get involved and provide hope for local youth.

Chris Lavender can be reached at (252) 559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.