The Roanoker May/June 2024 - 102

Best of 2024 * the winners
from a teacher unless the teacher learns
something from the student. It really
becomes an exchange. It's almost like
being a sociologist, in the sense that
you learn about the human spirit, and
I learned about students coming from
certain situations; I used to celebrate
students in that they went through hardships
and trauma but
still had the ability to
love and laugh and be
kind and gentle spirits. "
After Parker passed
away from cancer 15
years ago, Nichols
found he needed a new
approach to that class,
as he and Parker had
complemented each
other's teaching styles.
He and the students
both missed her, and
the discussions they
held in part to her contributions
and encouragement.
As Nichols
tried to plan for class,
he " woke up and was
divinely inspired - I
took some of her sentences
to inspire them,
and some words I'd say
to affirm them, and put
them together. That's
how the beginning
of these affirmations
started. "
Born out of Nichols'
deep commitment to
empowering his students, the affirmation
become a cornerstone of his work.
" Affirmation is about more than just
words, " Nichols says. " It's about instilling
a sense of confidence, resilience
and self-worth in our youth, empowering
them to navigate life's challenges
with grace and determination. "
The Royalty Affirmation was adopted
by Roanoke City Council in 2023 and has
garnered attention as a tool for youth
empowerment and gun violence prevention.
When Nichols first joined the Youth
102 MAY/JUNE 2024
& Gang violence coordinator team, he
saw the opportunity for the affirmation
to be used as a tool to " help prevent
kids from going in the wrong direction
or not believing the best about who they
are. " It took about a year to implement;
the idea created a ripple effect, offering
a chance for others to share their stoon,
and they said they wouldn't have
been able to survive prison 'without the
words you've given me about myself,' "
he says.
Even in retirement, Nichols continues
to make a lasting impact. Whether
through mentoring programs, community
outreach or simply lending a
listening ear to those
in need, he remains a
steadfast advocate for
positive change. As
the co-founder of The
Dwelling Place Family
Ministry and founder
of The Encouragement
Group, he continues the
mission of unwavering
guidance and encouragement
to individuals
and families across the
community.
" Retirement isn't the
end of my journey; it's a
new chapter filled with
opportunities to continue
serving and making
a difference, " Nichols
says.
Self-described as a
" pocket pastor " - one
who pastors those who
may not be part of a fellowship
- he says he's
that person you can
get spiritual counseling
from, without any
kind of title behind your
name. " It's like you
ries, not only about those who made
good choices in the face of bad ones,
but those who have experienced loss
due to gun violence and the difference
it could've made had they believed the
affirmation of themselves and taken a
different route.
Youth and gang violence can be a lifelong
journey for some, and while the
affirmation is a small preventative measure
to make sure youth affirm themselves,
it can make a big impact. " I've
had students who came out of prishave
me in your back pocket! "
His advice for those aspiring to affect
change and impact the Roanoke community
as he has? " Whatever you do,
please be authentic, " he says. " Can I
believe you? Can I trust you? Can I connect
with you? And can I feel safe with
you? It's very important if you want to
be a community leader, that people believe
you, that you're believable, and
that they can trust you. That you find
a way to connect with them on some
level and that they feel safe with you. "
TheRoanoker.com
AARON SPICER
http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker May/June 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker May/June 2024
