Roanoke Organization honors young kids with blazers

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ROANOKE (WSLS10) One local program is working to help African American male youth thrive anywhere, including here in the Star City.

Members from the Renaissance Academy held a banquet Friday night and honored their students, who are on their way to becoming successful young men.

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Children in the academy said they want to be portrayed in a positive light and help other young men who could stray off the path and get in trouble.

The director said he hopes his students in the long run will become productive citizens.

Harold Hancock has been in the Renaissance Academy for three years and is planning to go to college.

"Instead of me having the ambition of being in the street all day and basically being another kid from Roanoke, I'm trying to be ambitious to play the drum or studying in my books," Hancock said.

The program was started by Jerel Rhodes from Roanoke.

He said after completing his education, he felt the need to give back and help the community by helping the next generation succeed.

"This is what this is about, building certain leaders, this is about community and them going back into the community and giving back, Rhodes said.

The academy, even caught the attention of community and city leaders like Mayor David Bowers, who said the academy can show young men how to be law abiding citizens.

"This academy is what is remarkable about teaching so many young people here in roanoke and helping them grow up, so we're very proud of this group," Bowers said.