Vote for the Firestarter

I am Seven-Hazel, and today, I want to share with you why our candidate, The Reverend Dr. Anthony Witherspoon, is intergenerational.

Have you ever met someone who you think believes in you a little too much? They believe you can really do all things through Christ, who strengthens you. Not only do they believe you can do these things, to make sure you do it - or even perhaps to check on your progress - they sometimes do it with you.  In fact, their involvement begins to make you believe I can really do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Well, we all have met someone like that. In fact, he is the reason we are all here today. Someone who believes in us. Someone who cheers us on. Someone who puts a little fire in us along our journey. Most of all, the beauty of it is it doesn’t matter if you’re nine months old, nine years old, nineteen years old, 39 years old, 69 years old, or 99 years old – we have all felt this fire in our interactions with Dr. Witherspoon.

Today, I am a black belt in karate – thanks to a little fire from Dr. Witherspoon. I am a pretty good tumbler in gymnastics – thanks to a little fire from Dr. Witherspoon. I am the fastest female on my track team – thanks to a little fire from Dr. Witherspoon. I am a better basketball player – thanks to a little fire from Dr. Witherspoon. Moreover, I stand here today, willing and able to speak to you – thanks to a little fire from Dr. Witherspoon.

Fire for the Witherspoon for Bishop 2024 campaign is Fiscally sound, Intergenerational, Relational, and Experienced. However, Witherspoon is W-willing, I-inspirational, T-transparent, H-honest, E-empowering, R-resilient, S-saved, P-purposeful, O-optimistic, O-open, and N- nice. 

So, I encourage you to vote for someone and encourage others to vote for someone who is intergenerational and who invests in everybody. Dr. Witherspoon told me everyone has gifts to give, and I believe that.  I pray for Dr. Witherspoon and wish him well on his journey. Also, I thank God for knowing him and for the opportunity to be a witness and attest to his Fire.

14-year-old Seven-Hazel Boone of New Hope A.M.E. Zion Church in Salisbury, North Carolina, attended the Witherspoon for Bishop 2024 campaign event, The Fire Starter at Livingstone College. There, she shared these words.