Five-term City Councilwoman Kathy Keefe Jensen all along had a feeling about this community’s bid for the 2023 All-America City award.
There are times when you just know.
“When we found out the theme,” Jensen says, “we knew it was our time.”
The theme was “Creating Thriving Community Through Youth Engagement,” as per the National Civic League that judges the competition. And this city on Saturday sent members of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council as part of the 27-member presentation delegation to Denver to make its pitch for why Fayetteville deserves All-America City recognition for a fourth time in history.
You give credit where and when credit is due.
And give credit to these young people from the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council who were simply splendid in telling the National Civic League panel about why calling Fayetteville home has meant so much to them in their young lives.
They were energetic.
They were enthusiastic.
They put their hearts into the presentation.
Just give a listen to Rebecca Trout, who is director of the All-America City award program, and what she had to say about Ramie Mack, Alan Fabricio Montes, Olivia Cody, Ainsely Elizabeth Taber, Troy Nance and Dakhari Davis.
“The city of Fayetteville was named a 2023 All-America City for both the strength of its civic capital — the formal and informal relationships, networks and capacities they use to make decisions and solve problems — and the three projects submitted as part of this year’s theme of youth engagement,” Trout was telling CityView on Monday after it was announced Fayetteville is an All-America City again along with its recognition in 2011, 2001 and 1985.
“The 11-member jury was impressed by Fayetteville’s ability to have tough conversations and come to an agreement on the repurposing of the Market House after an extensive community engagement process. The jury also noted the strength of Fayetteville’s youth empowerment programs; the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council and the Fayetteville NEXT Commission to provide an avenue for youth to develop leadership skills while implementing innovative service projects.”
You can give credit to Yamile Nazar, director of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission, and then-board Chairwoman Semone Pemberton for leading the way in efforts for repurposing the Market House that became such a polarizing downtown structure after May 30, 2020, when protesters called for its abolishment because of its controversial slave market history dating back to the mid-1800s.
“The Fayetteville-Cumberland Human Relations Commission was charged with engaging our community to determine how our community wanted to repurpose our historical Market House,” Nazar told the National Civic League jury panel. “Our community told us they wanted restructuring.”
Now the Market House will become an education point for telling the full story of the historic landmark for generations to come.
Leaders of tomorrow
But it was those young folks to include Olivia Cody who had the panel’s attention. Cody received the John Par Youth Leadership award from the league, which presents the award in the name of a former NCL president and recognizes outstanding civic engagement and leadership on the part of a young person in a community.
“Those members of FCYC are the future leaders of this community,” says freshman Councilman Mario Benavente, who was part of the Fayetteville delegation in Denver. “They have a sense of pride about Fayetteville and are committed to making it a place they want to stick around for. I look forward to their generation taking the reins, and the city will be better for it.”
Jodi Phelps is chief of staff for the city and coordinated the trip to Denver.
“Getting to know and spend time with the youth members of the delegation was truly an honor, and they represented Fayetteville with such incredible confidence and determination,” Phelps says.
“Their authentic commitment to service, innovation and willingness to tackle complex challenges is inspirational and gives me confidence for the future of our community. All the youths from each of the 20 communities represented were impressive, but Fayetteville’s team stood out for their connection to community, record of success and humility.”
There was excitement in 1985 when Fayetteville first was honored as an All-America City as a part of its revitalization efforts under civic leaders to include former Mayor Bill Hurley, Joan Allen, Terri Union, Bob Ray, Harry Shaw, Suzanne Cheek, John Smith, Bob Cogswell, Martha Duell, Rosalie Kelly, John Swope, John Malzone, John Corbett, Jimmy Little and Keith Allison.
And a reason for the latest designation, too.
“Being designated an All-America City is evidence Fayetteville continues to be a great collaborative, solution-orientated and forward-moving community,” Mayor Mitch Colvin says in a news release.
“We are being recognized as one of the premier local communities across the country who engage our youth as we continue to make Fayetteville a desirable place to live, work and recreate, not only today but well into the future.”
‘I’m proud of our youth’
We are a city, like many, with our issues -– from crime to include too many homicides, opioid addiction, how to address the homeless population to finding solutions for affordable housing among them, and a racial divide that separates too many of us from one another.
No matter our issues, we’re an All-America City again, and those folks from the National Civic League liked our presentation Saturday that was scripted for the most part by Mary Kate Burke, artistic director of Cape Fear Regional Theatre, and it was a perfect script for the mayor and council members Kathy Jensen, Mario Benavente and Brenda McNair; Fayetteville NEXT representatives Sarah Pfeffer and Kia McMillan; Fayetteville police officers Michael Bohannon, Gregory Johnson and Javeon Taylor; Maj. Gen. Brian Mennes and Capt. Andrew Finley of Fort Liberty; and those young people from the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council.
And not to forget little Cecilia Finley, who opened the presentation with “God Bless America” for the panel.
“I’m proud of our team and all our partners that participated,” says D.J. Haire, the longest-serving councilman now in his 11th term.
“It was a youth inclusive partnership, and I’m proud of our youth. And a big thank you to our military at Fort Liberty that supported and participated in our presentation.”
Mayor Pro Tem Johnny Dawkins concurs with Haire.
“Thrilled we have been recognized as an All-America City again,” Dawkins says. “Lots of work goes into this effort, and it is nice to be rewarded with this award.”
Epilogue
Imagine our city pride when we see “All-America City” flags and banners waving in the days to come.
“We are happy to designate Fayetteville as an All-America City,” Doug Linkhart, president of the National Civic League, says in a news release. “Through their application and presentation, they showed that they are among the best in America at engaging youth and other residents to address important challenges.”
As for Kathy Keefe Jensen, she takes pride in the All-America City recognition, but all the more pride in those young people of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Youth Council and how they represented their hometown in Colorado.
“It is very hard for me to put into words how I feel about this award,” Jensen says.
“To watch our FCYC talk about their city and answer questions from the judges with such pride. Never, ever did I think nine years ago when we revived the youth council that 27 of us would be going to Denver and talk of youth development and engagement. And bring home the All-America City award. When we found out the theme, we knew it was our time. When we finished our performance, there were not many dry eyes. We are definitely the ‘Can Do City.’ They truly have been my greatest accomplishment on council.”
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
