Supporter Spotlight: Gentry Locke
Gentry Locke is a strong supporter of TAP youth programs. Earlier this year, they invited students from our African American Culture and Contemporary Issues (AACCI) class to visit their Roanoke office on Juneteenth.
During this visit, the students, along with teacher Antonio Stovall, shared stories about how the program changed their lives. “It was incredibly inspiring and very uplifting,” says Monica Monday, chair of Gentry Locke’s Executive Board.
Attendees were also given a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work there. After the visit, one student expressed interest in being an attorney. “We’re now talking with him about doing an internship at Gentry Locke,” Monica says.
Another visit several years ago involved a mock trial. Students “got to decide the case and then we had a debrief about the legal issues, the factual issues, what it’s like to be a lawyer,” explains Monica.
The attorneys also plan to collaborate with AACCI in the future on a “speakers and snacks” program. They will regularly visit the classroom to speak to students about different topics and hand out snacks. “What we’re doing right now is we’re working on ways to stay connected with these students, but we’re always looking for other opportunities to partner with TAP,” says Monica. “We really value our partnership with TAP and we appreciate everything they do for the community.”