2024 Cabell Brand Hope Award Winner: Mayor Sherman Lea
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TAP is pleased to announce that the 2024 Cabell Brand Hope Award was presented to Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr. on Tuesday, November 12th at the 59th Annual Meeting, held at the Dumas Center. We extend special congratulations to the Mayor as we recognize his profound contribution to serving the communities in Southwest Virginia, Roanoke City, and the state.
The Cabell Brand Hope Award is presented each year in honor of TAP’s founder, who was a tireless advocate for the well-being of his neighbors throughout the entire region. Mr. Brand generously gave his time and efforts to enhance the quality of life for individuals, families, and communities, and we are proud to honor his legacy by giving the Cabell Brand Hope Award to a community member who embodies the spirit of its namesake in Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr.
Mayor Lea has demonstrated his exemplary mettle as a leading civil servant. Not only as the current Mayor of Roanoke City, but throughout his career, Lea has represented and advocated for the underserved and unempowered women, men, and children in Southwest Virginia.
Lea served 36 years with the Virginia Department of Corrections, in Goochland, Danville and Pittsylvania Counties, respectively, as a Probation and Parole officer. This work paved the way for his role as the first African American to hold the position of Virginia’s Chief Probation and Parole Officer in 1984. Eight years later, he was promoted to Western Regional Director of Community Corrections. His understanding and advocacy for individuals who experienced incarceration gained him invitations from Governor Terry McAuliffe in 2014, and Governor Ralph Northam in 2017, to serve on consecutive Virginia Parole Boards.
Lea’s career as a statesman began with his election to the Roanoke City Council in 2004. In 2005, he formed the Domestic Violence Task Force, clearly setting an agenda for advocacy.
He has since served as the Vice Mayor from 2008 to 2010, and was elected Mayor of Roanoke City on May 3, 2016, a position he currently holds.
Mayor Lea has previously served as the Chairman of the Board for TAP, the Roanoke City School Board, and the State Board of Directors, Virginia CARES, Inc. His honors also include a 2010 William L. Hastie Award from the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ). After receiving news of this honor, Mayor Sherman P. Lea, Sr. responded:
“As a former TAP Board member and Mayor of the City of Roanoke, I am deeply humbled to have been nominated for the Cabell Brand Hope Award. It is an incredible honor to be this year’s recipient of an award that celebrates Cabell Brand’s relentless pursuit of social change and his commitment to working for the common good.”
Angela Penn, TAP President & CEO, says: “Mayor Lea is a true servant leader who cares about Roanoke’s citizens and the region. He has worked tirelessly to support innovative projects that improve the lives of citizens and contribute to Roanoke’s continued recognition as an All American City.”
Bring Holiday Cheer to Local Families
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As the holiday season approaches, Total Action for Progress (TAP) is asking local businesses, schools, civic groups, and community members to help make the holidays brighter for children enrolled in TAP’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs. TAP is requesting contributions for approximately 125 children across Southwest Virginia to ensure every child receives a special gift this season.
Each child will receive gifts totaling approximately $50, that may include age-appropriate toys and essential clothing items such as coats, hats, gloves, and shoes. TAP is currently looking for assistance with 16 classrooms, each with 8 to 15 children.
“This is an opportunity to truly make a difference for families who are already stretched thin financially,” said Ramona Wray, Interim Director of TAP Early Head Start and Head Start. “For many of these families, the cost of holiday gifts is simply out of reach. By providing a full class with gifts or offering financial support at any level, organizations and individuals relieve some of the financial burden on low-income families while ensuring that each child experiences the excitement of receiving holiday gifts.”
How You Can Help
Option 1 – Donate funds of any level to sponsor a full or partial class, allowing staff to handle the shopping.
Donations of any amount may be made online on the TAP donation webpage by selecting the designation category of “Education and Employment” and typing “Head Start Holiday Gifts” in the comment box below. As an alternative, checks with “Head Start Holiday Gifts” on the memo line may be mailed or delivered to TAP – HS Holiday Gifts at 302 2nd Street, SW, Roanoke,
Option 2 – Purchase gifts for a full or partial classroom.
Organizations or individuals interested in this option will be matched with a specific classroom of 8-15 children and supplied with details such as clothing sizes and toy preferences.
All gifts should be unwrapped and delivered to TAP no later than December 16, 2024.
To learn more about this option, contact Crystal Fernatt, Supervisor of Monitoring and Compliance, at (540) 309-5016 or crystal.fernatt@nulltapintohope.org.
Why Your Sponsorship Matters
Families served by TAP’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs have incomes which are below the poverty line and often face challenges to meet basic needs such as rent, utilities, and food. Holiday expenses create an unmanageable financial burden many cannot afford.
“By stepping in to sponsor these gifts, you’re not just giving toys or clothing. You are also giving hope to families in your community,” said Fernatt. “These gifts bring joy to children and ease financial stress, ensuring that every family can celebrate the holidays with dignity.”
Audre Lorde once called us to “consciously study how to be tender with each other until it becomes a habit.” There is, on this front, still much work to do.
Modern life has granted us an astoundingly high standard of living, from smart washing machines to virtual teleconferencing in real time with people halfway across the globe using a computer small enough to fit in our pockets. However, we clearly haven’t figured out how to end domestic violence, which continues to terrorize individuals and families in the privacy of homes all across the nation.
Almost one half of all women and 2 of every 5 men have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime.1
An average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States — more than 16 million women and men annually.2
Every minutethere is an individual living through a moment of fear, possibly terror, pain, and trauma, with the person they once and perhaps still love. It feels invisible, but there are always signs.
We know those moments are often preceded by patterns of controlling behavior and psychological abuse. Abusers will do anything, like isolate their partners, shift blame onto economic circumstances, or claim it was only alcohol or drugs that made them violent. They will control bank accounts, forbid their partners from working, gaslight, and even claim to have acted in self-defense to avoid accountability. However, the pattern is almost always there—whether we are looking for it or not.
“last time he swung the bat, laying flat I wondered, what a way to spend a dime, what a way to spend the time… scared all the time, one more reason why the world is dangerous.”
It may not be love—but even in today’s society, this level of violence is alarmingly common.
1 in 4 women, and 1 in 7 men (over 18) in the US have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime3
Each year, about 2.3 million people are raped or physically assaulted by a current or former partner.4
Flannery O’Connor wrote, “The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.” It feels almost impossible to see the numbers as anything close to normal. But despite the clear prevalence of domestic and intimate partner violence, we do not, in fact, have to accept that violence as inevitable. We can—and must—decide what environments we allow our children to be raised within. It matters because the scars of those moments impact a person for an entire lifetime if left untreated.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Among the smells of pumpkins and familiar spice blends, fresh hay bales, and the autumnal arboreal fireworks, we know the splendor of the season can mask untold horrors all around us. It’s a bittersweet time of year.
While, teenagers and children around us are suffering from and witnessing the violence of abusers.
Annually an estimated 3.3 million and 10 million children are exposed to adult domestic violence.51 in 4 female and 1 in 5 male survivors first experienced DV as a child.
As we celebrate survivors, we mourn as well.
Domestic violence may be the leading cause of Child abuse fatalities in the US.7
1/3 of female murders are perpetrated by intimate partners. A gun increases the risk by 500%.8
85% of children’s (under 13) gun deaths occur in the home, 1/3 of those deaths are connected to Domestic Violence.9
Between 2015 and 2022, nearly 2 in 3 child and teen victims of mass shootings died in domestic violence incidents.10
The Impact of Violence
Locally in Virginia11, and Roanoke12, aggravated assaults due to domestic violence are rising. TAP-DVS continues to see record numbers of requests for service year after year since 2020. As the violence, rises, however, so does our commitment to act. We remember, again, the words of Audre Lorde:
“I write for those (women) who do not speak, for those who do not have a voice because they were so terrified, because we are taught to respect fear more than ourselves. We’ve been taught that silence would save us, but it won’t.”
Domestic violence is famously able to leverage other forms of discrimination to hide—with terrible consequences. Women of color and primarily African American womenexperience Domestic Violence in the greatest numbers a cross the races.
4 out of 10 non-Hispanic Black women, American Indian, or Alaskan Native women, and ½ of multi-racial non-Hispanic women experienced DV in their lifetimes. This rate is 30 to 50% higher than White non-Hispanic, Hispanic, and Asian women.13
In a recent paper published in the Lancet compiling CDC data from 1999-2020, African American women were six times more likely to be murdered than White women, and 51% of those homicides were DV related.14
Of further concern is the vulnerability of our LGBTQ community. Research shows LGBTQ, adults and youth experience DV assaults, and sexual abuse at higher rates than their CIS gendered peers.Specifically, 44% of lesbian women and 61% of bisexual women experience DV at higher rates.15 *
How This Ends
We continue to strive to be informed and vigilant for ourselves, for our own loved ones, and our neighbors, our coworkers, the people we see each and every day as we go about our lives.
The numbers show us the violence is all around us. Someone you wave hello to today will have been directly affected by domestic violence in the course of their lives. Let’s make sure they know we do not accept that level of violence as normal. Let’s make sure they feel safe asking for our help. Let’s let them know we are working to make a world in which domestic and intimate partner violence don’t have a place—where instead, we find healing and tenderness thriving everywhere we look. It starts today.
This month we acknowledge the courage, and fortitude of Domestic Violence survivors everywhere: those who made it to the phone, walked through TAP’s door, called a friend, or found help any other way. We honor all of you, and we remember our silent survivors, as well. Let us gently remind you we are here. You are not alone.
If you want to get involved in ending domestic violence, your voice and your courage are urgently needed—and can start making a difference today. If you don’t know where to start, please consider learning about how we: END DV victim blaming, and educate yourself on ways to help as a bystander, witness, or confidant. Volunteering, donating to your local advocacy agencies, collecting household goods for families who are fleeing domestic violence and starting over are also ways to help. There is so much we can do, and it starts with being informed.
READ MORE, LEARN MORE:
The more you know about the signs and dynamics of domestic violence, the better you are at seeing the warning signs early—in your life, and in others’ lives. The following resources are a brief survey of some of the relevant trends, facts, and provide a picture of what’s happening in our country. It is, however, just a starting place.
JM Ford & Associates supports TAP through transitions
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Jeff Ford is President and Senior Account Executive of JM Ford & Associates. He describes his firm as “Insurance innovators.” The phrase applies to how the company handles plan design, carrier mix, and specialty services. Primary focus is on employer group benefits, Medicare, and individual health insurance needs. “There is so much information and misinformation out there about insurance,” Jeff explains. “We help clients work through the minutia.”
The firm supports employer groups ranging in size from 2-2,000 employees. “We do every core benefit – health, dental, vision, life, disability, long-term care – anything that touches an employer benefit plan we have access to or do,” he explains. Forty percent of his business is Medicare. “Ten thousand Boomers are aging into Medicare every day,” he says. Insurance carriers pay JM Ford & Associates directly. This means most clients don’t pay the firm a fee for services. The exception is consulting contracts.
“We make sure we are appointed with every carrier that does business in Virginia,” Jeff explains. Firm agents customize solutions for a particular client’s needs.
Jeff is a big believer in giving back to the community. JM Ford & Associates is an Inspire Level investor with TAP. They’re also a corporate sponsor for the Children’s Trust. The firm supports Taubman Museum, Good Samaritan Hospice, and Attic Productions too. Jeff doesn’t like promoting himself or his company. He says he’s willing to share his story to encourage others to step up. “I’m a small agency, but hopefully it gets other small businesses to realize they should be helping out too.”
Supporting TAP
“When I first started working with TAP, they faced an issue of not having enough people on their plan” Jeff recalls. That was 13 years ago. He found a plan offering more flexible eligibility. Then he built up enrollment. A TAP health reimbursement account now keeps benefit and premium costs down.
“A lot of what is perceived that we do is we market and shop and RFP the different plans, but really where an agency is supposed to earn their money is all the behind-the-scenes service,” Jeff explains. “Health insurance can be very time intensive. One of my key jobs is during renewals, fighting the rate hikes and getting the best plans we can get our hands on.”
“I appreciate TAP every day for what they do,” Jeff says. “Every time I think I know what all their departments do, I find out there are more departments doing more stuff than I knew about. Their reach touches the entire Valley in one way or another, and I can’t speak highly enough about that. The executive team and upper management breathe and bleed TAP.” Angela Penn is the third TAP President & CEO he’s supported. Jeff stays in touch with former agency leaders Annette Lewis and Ted Edlich. “I value TAP not just because they’re a client, but because of what they do.” JM Ford & Associates celebrated it’s 20-year anniversary in May. Clients Jeff brought with him from his prior employer are still with him today. “The value I place on my clients is second to none,” he says. “That’s why we try to do everything humanly possible for them, because I wouldn’t be in business without them.”
Woods Rogers: Providing Solutions
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Woods Rogers has a long history with TAP. Michael J. Hertz, a principal with the firm, just came off a nine-year term serving on TAP’s Board of Directors. Thomas M. Winn III, the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Co-Chair, has served as counsel to TAP for a number of years. He’s focused primarily on helping the HR department with employment law issues.
“It’s an easy decision to support TAP,” says Mike. “Many people don’t realize that TAP has its hand in so many things.” He cites legal aid, elder care, HeadStart, a relationship with Habitat for Humanity, and other areas TAP administers, initially founded, or participates in as examples. “They’re just a giant driver of good.”
“We’ve been around a long time,” says Tom. “Our firm was founded in 1893 in Roanoke. We like to support the communities we serve, so we have active programs in all the communities where we have offices. But, if you’re going to support the Roanoke Valley, what better organization to support than TAP? TAP is a very easy choice when you’re trying to invest in the community because that’s what TAP’s all about.”
Over the years, Woods Rogers has grown its geographical reach. This included an historic merger in 2022 with Vandeventer Black in Norfolk. With this, government contracting and maritime law were added as practice groups and existing practice groups were strengthened. The merger created Virginia’s fifth largest law firm. It’s one that spans the entire Commonwealth. The firm has offices in Norfolk, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Richmond, and Roanoke.
The pair’s longevity with Woods Rogers says a lot about the culture. Tom joined the firm in 1993 as an attorney, after working there during college. Mike has been there since 2006. Both started their law practice with Woods Rogers and have stayed there since. “We care about our people, take care of our people,” says Mike. That includes non-lawyer staff. “It’s a collaborative, congenial atmosphere,” added Tom.
Services include the full range of business and professional legal issue support. Attorneys consult with each other across offices. This teamwork provides deep talent for solving challenges. “We really try to make the client problem or issue our own,” says Mike. He explains how much each attorney cares about the people they work with, whether that’s clients or firm team members. Tom cites responsiveness and customer service as practice hallmarks.
“In the years that I’ve worked with TAP, I’ve found the leadership to be excellent,” explains Tom. “There are so many tendrils into community needs that probably most people don’t know about. What a wonderful organization led by really caring, competent people. Our firm is in the business of helping our clients find solutions to problems. By supporting TAP, we’re doing something additional to help members of our community we likely wouldn’t be encountering professionally. We’re helping parts of the community that greatly need help but typically would be outside the scope of services we provide as a law firm.”
Tom’s history with Angela Penn, TAP’s President & CEO, goes back over twenty years. They participated in Leadership Roanoke Valley together. “I certainly thought the world of her back then and my respect for her as a person and as a leader has only grown since that time,” he says.
The firm has been a TAP investor for four years at the Inspire Level. As Mike stepped off the board at the end of 2023, fellow Woods Rogers partner Zach Agee stepped on to continue the firm’s leadership support. “Woods Rogers has been a staunch supporter of TAP over the years,” says Angela Penn. “It’s been tremendous to have the support of Tom, Mike, and now Zach, as well as other members of the firm along the way as we strive, together, to transform lives.”
Overcoming All Obstacles: Nyah Williams’ Story
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Single parenthood is a challenge. The struggles of being the only source of support for your child, financially, physically, and emotionally is a full-time job in itself. Nyah Williams has experienced this with the added difficulty of living in public housing with no vehicle.
Nyah experienced a troubled youth. She suffered from depression as a teenager, and got into trouble at school and home, and even lost contact with her family after living in group homes for 6 months. She decided to try living on her own at 18, even though she had virtually no support system in place. “I tried to grow up too fast,” she said.
Nyah always knew she wanted to work in healthcare. She was inspired to do so after witnessing her grandmother’s treatment at a nursing home. She saw the lack of care in these facilities and wanted to do better, not just for her own grandmother, but for other people’s loved ones as well. Since then, she has worked as a CNA and has experience in labor and delivery.
Before becoming pregnant, Nyah spent a lot of time with her friends, partying and blowing off steam. She says that everything shifted into focus after she got pregnant with her son, and knew his father was not going to be in the picture. “I had to do a full detox of my life,” said Nyah.
She was lucky to have secured her place in communal living, and was able to obtain childcare through social services. After the birth of her son, she rebuilt relationships with her mother and siblings. When talking about her family, Nyah said, “This is who’s here for you.” Her mother was also a single mom and had already given up so much to raise her and her siblings. Nyah didn’t want to rely on her mother any more than she had to. “It made me want to go harder for my son,” she said. Nyah still struggled with depression, but wanted to do right by her child.
Nyah was ready to go back to work, but needed pay that she and her son could live on, and better flexibility to care for her him. She’d heard about TAP’s CCMA program from a friend and enrolled.
The challenges didn’t end there. She still had no vehicle, so she was spending much of her money to buy Ubers to and from class. She was missing class to take care of her child and there was even a day when she had to bring him to class with her. While her son’s childcare teacher was flexible with Nyah, the coursework was still difficult, and she considered giving up many times. But she had the best motivation to stay her course.
“God gave me my son at the right time,” Nyah said, talking about how everything played out. Nyah sees all of the struggles she’s faced as opportunity to rise to the challenge, even when it seemed impossible. When asked what her advice would be to someone in a similar situation, Nyah said, “Keep pushing. Follow through to see the end. No matter what.”
Despite juggling school, transportation, and child care, Nyah’s hard work paid off. She graduated the CCMA program and now makes the most of any graduate of the program living in Virginia. She is even starting therapy to improve her mental health.
She still faces some similar struggles. However, now she has new goals and better ways to reach them. Moving forward, Nyah is saving money to get her own vehicle and move out of public housing. She still values her independence and wants to “Be more self-sufficient, happy, and stable.”
Nyah is a testament to resilience and determination, and especially the strength of love for one’s child. She overcame so much to get to where she is, and everyone at TAP, especially the CCMA Instructor, Diana Talmadge, is proud of her. Her transformation shows the importance of TAP’s programs to people like Nyah, who have strength and resolve to reach their goals in the face of any challenge.
Get Started With TAP!
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Getting help can be tough, but with TAP it doesn’t have to be. We’ve worked in the Roanoke Valley and beyond for almost 60 years to provide aid to those in need. Below you’ll find the tools and resources to get the support you deserve.
LEARN ABOUT OUR SERVICES
We know that each situation and family are unique. That’s why we’ll begin with finding the areas where we can support you:
EDUCATION Today’s youth are tomorrow’s future. Our education programs serve kids of all ages—from babies to teenagers—and give them the tools to grow into capable adults.
EMPLOYMENT TRAINING A good job is a crucial step to lasting stability. We provide training in some of the most lucrative and in-demand jobs.
FAMILY SERVICES TAP works to meet the unique needs of every family. We offer support to domestic violence survivors, veterans, people exiting jail or prison, and more.
FINANCIAL SERVICES Whether you want to open a business, buy a home, or file your taxes, we recognize that financial aid and planning are important for success.
HOUSING Upkeep on a home can be costly. If your house needs insulation or repairs, our housing programs are available to support your needs.
WHAT’S NEXT
Step 1: Contact TAP Online: Fill out the Contact Us form on our website and we’ll get in touch to begin connecting you with the support you need.
Phone: Give us a call at (540) 777-HOPE and our dedicated team will be ready to listen and provide guidance. If we aren’t available, please leave a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
In Person: For those who feel more comfortable meeting face-to-face, you can visit our office to discuss your needs.
Step 2: Discuss Your Situation When you contact TAP, our team of intake specialists will reach out to you as soon as they are able. They’ll ask you questions about your situation and needs. This process can be frustrating for some people. We ask questions about your job status, income, and other factors that you might not feel are necessary. This information is important for us to collect so we can determine which programs you qualify for and give you as much support as possible.
Step 3: Make a Plan After learning about your situation, we’ll work with you to create a personalized plan of action. Whether it’s enrolling in job training or filing your taxes, we’ll connect you to as many resources as possible to make sure you’re successful.
Step 4: Navigate Our Services Our staff will help you get the services you need to improve your situation. We’ll be there with you for every step. TAP is more than just a group; we’re here to support and empower you. If you or your family need help, know you’re not alone. TAP is here to make a positive change in your life and the community. It all starts with a call or an email. We’re excited to begin this journey with you.
Pinnacle Financial Partners: A Community Focused Bank
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Pinnacle Financial Partners is all about community
Pinnacle Financial Partners is a unique bank. “When Pinnacle was created, the purpose behind it was to have a financial institution that would be diametrically opposed to the big bank mentality,” explains William Dixon, Pinnacle Commercial Financial Advisor. The firm takes a different approach to hiring. It doesn’t outright accept job applications, but instead leans heavily on the expertise of human resources and Pinnacle associates to invite potential hires to join the team. Individuals are recommended who fit the culture, exemplify Pinnacle’s core values, and are self-motivated producers with at least ten years of banking experience.
The firm also chooses to not advertise. But it does invest heavily in community service programs. These beneficiaries are chosen by Pinnacle associates and their leaders, all of whom value and support the mission and activities of the community.
The firm was founded in 2000. American Banker has recognized Pinnacle as one of America’s Best Banks to Work For eleven years in a row. In 2023, it earned the No. 4 spot. Fortune ranked Pinnacle No. 11 on their most recent 100 Best Companies to Work For list. It’s been on that list every year since it became eligible in 2017.
The regional bank spans the Southeast corner of the United States, employing more than 3,500 people. Virginia and Maryland are the northern most branch locations. Corporate headquarters are in Nashville, Tennessee. Currently, Jacksonville, Florida is the southern-most location in the service region.
Helping customers learn about money
Realizing the importance of educating its valued clients, Pinnacle launched Business and Consumer Mastermind initiatives. Each provides a safe space for learning. Covered topics include anything from financial basics to more explicit business planning. Led by a Pinnacle associate, each weekly session is about an hour long and spans over six weeks. Sessions take place either at a Pinnacle or offsite location, based on what’s most convenient for those enrolled.
The Consumer Mastermind program has two tracks: 1.0 covers everything from money mindsets to home buying. Consumer Mastermind 2.0 gets into the details of insurance, investing, tax considerations, retirement and estate planning, and data security. There is no cost to register or participate. Small groups of ten or less are preferred to give everyone the opportunity to participate.
William’s history with TAP extends decades. He served on the Inner-City Athletics Board when Ted Edlich was TAP president. Inner-City Athletics provided sporting activities to help get at risk kids off the streets. “I’ve been involved with TAP over the years, supporting TAP financially as well as volunteering. So, it was a real joy when I was asked by then Executive Director, Annette Lewis, to serve on the TAP Board,” says William. He joined the Board in 2023 and serves on the Generosity Connections Commission Committee and Finance Committee. Pinnacle has been a TAP Empower Investor for the past four years.
“I’m very community focused,” William explains. “I wanted to make a difference by touching those who are underserved. The best way we can achieve that is to partner with someone like TAP, who has made it their mission. Providing economic equity, if you will. Our vision and TAP’s vision correlates. As our communities prosper, we want the individuals in the community to prosper as well. In other words, leave no one behind.” Pinnacle partners with TAP for affordable housing assistance, grant investing, first time home buyer down payment assistance, and financial education. “TAP has long been a great partner with Pinnacle and we have all the intentions of sustaining and growing throughout the years, together,” says William.
TAP Helps the Whole Family: Miz’s Story
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Miz Lexima is a successful, smart, and driven woman. Working as an oncology and infusion nurse, she is almost done with her master’s degree in nursing through James Madison University and is planning to become a nurse practitioner after graduation. And as if that wasn’t enough, she also runs a business to create medical-grade wigs. How did Miz start on this track? She worked with TAP.
After graduating from high school, Miz wasn’t sure what she was going to do. Then her older sister recommended TAP’s Certified Nurse Aide program. It seemed like a good fit for Miz—she had always been inspired by nurses. “And TAP had a good reputation,” she says, so she joined the program.
From her start with TAP in the CNA program, Miz felt like she was in the right place—she felt a connection with TAP staff from the beginning and was excited to see Black women in roles of authority. Feeling comfortable at TAP, she also began to look at other programs. She enrolled her kids in TAP’s Head Start program and later served as the vice president of the TAP Head Start Parent Policy Council. Through this role, Miz developed a range of skills, like networking and building a professional reputation. She spent time in a few of TAP’s education and employment programs and gained educational and professional experience, which led to her getting an associate degree in nursing from Virginia Western, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from James Madison University.
Miz found that TAP had programs which could help her while she was parenting, working, and pursuing her education at the same time. TAP’s Job Training programs gave Miz an extra support system when she needed it. Looking back, she recalls “I had an end point of nursing,” and that the staff at TAP “helped me find the way there.” And especially early on, TAP programs were able to give support in ways that made a difference. When her laptop died right before the end of her semester, Miz was able to consult with TAP staff. TAP was able to use some job training funding to quickly replace the broken laptop since it was crucial to her education and training work. Miz put in the hard work, and TAP was able to make sure small barriers couldn’t keep her from reaching the finish line.
For Miz, working as a nurse is deeply rooted in her personal goals, and her desire to be a leader in the community. The opportunities she has taken advantage of are as much about the sense of growth as they are the qualification at the end of the journey. “I want to be a leader in my community through nursing,” Miz explains. At TAP, she could pursue her full portfolio of personal and professional goals without needing to prioritize one over the other.
With the final stretch of her nursing goals in sight, she is looking forward to establishing herself as not just a Nurse Practitioner but also as a community leader through her work, and to innovating as an entrepreneur with a strong foundation of medical knowledge powering her future business endeavors. Looking back, Miz knows she is on the right path. “Nursing is tough,” she acknowledges. “But life’s been good.”
Spilman Makes Giving Back a Priority
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This year marks the 160th anniversary of Spilman Thomas & Battle’s founding. The Roanoke office was opened in 2007 to improve and expand services to clients in Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region. At that time, the firm focused on wealth management, banking & finance, bankruptcy & creditors’ rights, consumer finance, tax law, and bond/public finance. Since then, the firm has expanded and deepened practices in local government law, labor and employment law, and general litigation. Firm offices across the country connect through a secure technology platform. Attorneys collaborate daily with colleagues on a variety of matters.
Spilman has been a TAP Empower Level Sponsor for the past four years. “We deeply believe in TAP’s mission to help lift our community out of poverty,” says Bryce J. Hunter, an attorney with the Roanoke office of Spilman Thomas & Battle. “It’s a cause that is very near and dear to the heart of many of us at Spilman. We are pleased and grateful that we are able to support TAP.”
The firm has a rich and diverse tradition of giving back. “Our community and professional stewardship is at the core of who we are,” says Lori D. Thompson, Member in Charge of Spilman’s Roanoke Office. Activities include pro bono legal services, volunteering in local schools, adoption services, and elder care. “We encourage each individual to contribute their time and resources to a cause they are personally passionate about,” she explains.
“We recognize the value of housing affordability and availability to organizations, like TAP, and governmental authorities as a means to maintain workforce mobility, job opportunities, and positive impact on families and communities,” Lori continues. This includes representing lenders, investors, developers, and local governmental authorities with affordable housing and community development matters. Spilman also provides counsel on real estate, tax, financing, and government affairs solutions.
The firm advises on low-income housing tax credit projects, public-private partnerships, governmental financing and economic development initiatives and tax allocation district formation and financing. Regionally, the firm has worked with the Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission (RVARC), the Covington Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and the Bedford Redevelopment and Housing Authority. It has collaborated with the City of Lexington and Botetourt County on zoning reforms to improve housing availability and affordability. Additionally, a Spilman attorney is Co-Chair of the Housing Law Practice Group for the Local Government Attorneys.
Spilman recently received the Empowering Women Award from Virginia Lawyers Weekly. The award is designed to showcase tangible and innovative efforts by law firms to advance women attorneys in the workplace and community.
Saving a Family Farm
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A New Beginning
In 2009, Ben Flinchum left his Montana life to manage Cold Creek Cattle & Hay. His grandfather had bought the Craig County farm in 1951. Ben’s dad and his siblings had no interest in farming. Now, at 36 years old, he has undertaken the task of repairing and updating a property spanning over 200 acres.
Helping Empower Agriculture
“The farm was not in good repair,” says Ben. “My grandfather had been doing most of it on his own in his 80s.” Ben tells stories of young cows swimming in the creek to get out. He’d have to visit neighbors’ properties to get the escaped cattle.
Fencing repairs became crucial, but Ben couldn’t afford it upfront. “One of the biggest problems with being young and getting into agriculture is getting enough money to do all the improvements,” Ben says. “If I could only afford to do half [the fencing], they’re still going to get out on the other part.” That’s where TAP came in.
Ben secured a $100,000, five-year, low interest loan from TAP’s Business Seed program. This helped Ben keep the farm going and make vital repairs. He fixed the fencing, and bought new hay equipment and more cows. Ben also built a safe space to vaccinate and tag cattle. The Seed funds allow regular soil testing and treatment, setting up the farm for future prosperity.
TAP created Business Seed Capital, Inc. in 1998. It provides microenterprise loans to businesses that don’t meet standard bank loan criteria. Curtis Thomson, TAP’s vice president of financial services and director of Business Seed Capital, Inc., explains, “This loan fund and at least five additional loan pools are all designated for business growth. It’s all under the financial services umbrella, which is just another resource that TAP has to give individuals and families another opportunity for economic advancement.”
Embracing Tomorrow’s Potential
Ben owns both Cold Creek Saw Mill & Forestry in New Castle and the farm splits his time between them. The sawmill offers direct-to-consumer rough-cut lumber used mostly for barns and fences. The farm sells beef to individuals, calves to farmers, and hay to horse owners.
“One thing that we hear a lot in agricultural circles is that young folks aren’t interested in farming anymore,” says Ben. “Statistics show the average age of farmers going up. One thing I’d like to say to that is there are a lot of young folks interested in agriculture, but they don’t come from a farming background. It’s an incredibly daunting task to [start a farm].” Ben says TAP programs are a valuable resource for those interested in farming. In his case, TAP is helping him continue his family’s legacy. The infusion of cash allowed Ben to make the farm safer for everyone and helped him establish processes for future sustainability. “There’s a song I like to reference by George Strait called The World Less Traveled,” says Ben. “It’s about when you go against the grain and dare to dream. Agriculture is all about dreaming and taking risks. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. I think it’s very important to recognize the strength and determination agricultural folks possess. Agriculture is the strength our country was built on.”
Bank of Botetourt Is All about Community
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Bank of Botetourt is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Established in 1899, theBank has grown to thirteen offices in four counties throughout the region. A new office in Rocky Mount, slated to open in the fall of 2024, is under construction. Bank of Botetourt offers competitive business and personal banking services and operates a mortgage division, Virginia Mountain Mortgage, and a financial services division, Botetourt Wealth Management.
“We decided to become a supporter of TAP through conversations with Annette [Lewis, former TAP President & CEO],” explains Mary Ann Miller, FVP Marketing Strategy & Business Development Officer for Bank of Botetourt. The TAP Board voted Mary Ann in as a member this February. “I am honored to serve on the Board and look forward to collaborating to position TAP for future success.”
“We have been working with TAP through the Early Head Start program in Buena Vista,” explains Mary Ann. The Bank sent volunteers every week, starting last fall, and is now doing so monthly. Through that partnership and experience, we learned the needs and wanted to increase our commitment. At first, volunteers helped where staff needed support in the classrooms. Now we have added financial education and reading to the children. Each month, two volunteers provide approximately six hours which helps TAP with grant funding applications. “We wanted to expand some of our outreach within the Rockbridge community and this was a need that TAP had for assistance and as an existing partner it was ideal for us both.”
In 2023, the Bank moved up from a Courage Investor to an Empower Investor in TAP’s Bringing Hope Home annual campaign. “The Bank is proud to partner with TAP through both sponsorship and volunteerism at its Early Head Start program each month. We take this opportunity to help them better understand basic banking fundamentals and currency. The Bank looks forward to continuing our relationship with TAP through this program and beyond as we continue to grow,” shared Bank President and COO, Michelle Austin.
