On Monday, the Raleigh County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) awarded Beckley Common Councilwoman for Ward V Janine Bullock with the 2021 Living Legend Award.
The award was presented to Bullock virtually during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, hosted by Raleigh NAACP President Barbara Charles.
Each year, the Living Legend Award is given to an individual who serves their community. After a long career with the federal prison, Bullock is now serving Beckley during her second term as representative for Ward V.
During the event, Bullock asked for listeners to remember the advice of John Lewis, an American statesman who represented Georgia’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“In the words of the honorable John Lewis, it’s all about ‘good trouble’,” said Bullock. “Good trouble- sit-ins, boycotts, marches, protesting and nonviolence, but never, never be silenced.”
Bullock encouraged Ward 5, the city’s most racially diverse ward, to make “good trouble” and concluded by saying that Dr. King is smiling at what has already been accomplished.
“Trouble doesn’t always last. We will be with Jesus Christ for the rest of our days.”
Bullock was honored to receive this year’s award and detailed a few areas within the community where she hopes to make improvements including developing a plan for a new Stratton Elementary School, establish The Dream Center with Vicki Webb, and collect the history of the Hunter Cemetery.