“Raleigh native to be honored on MLK Day” (From The Triangle Tribune)
January 14, 2011
ATLANTA - "You don't have to be 'book smart' to give," said Jonathan Wall, a native of Raleigh who attends Morehouse College in Atlanta. Wall learned that lesson in high school through reading "Strength to Love" by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
"I read something from him about how you don't need to know some scientific theory in order to give and in order to empower others," Wall continued. "It hit me hard because I think a lot of people would give if they thought that their giving meant something to somebody."
Wall is one of four people being recognized as 2011 Allstate Give Back Day Heroes for making a difference through giving back to the African-American community. The others are Rosazlia Grillier, Chicago, Ill.; Glenda Cook, Detroit, Mich.; and Leonard Johnson, St. Louis, Mo.
...The Raleigh native started giving back while a student at Knightdale High by setting up a community leadership scholarship program to help his peers afford college. His philanthropy continued after he moved to Atlanta to attend Morehouse. One day he volunteered to judge an elementary/junior high school math and debate competition, but only three African-American students were among the 40 competing.
Disturbed by the low number, Wall wrote a Facebook wall post called "Something's Gotta Give," that "put out a challenge for parents and the community to become more involved." He said his sociology professor saw the post and asked him to submit it to the Georgia Sociological Association, and later as an editorial to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper. He did, and it was published.
When former civil rights activist and Morehouse alumnus Lonnie King read the post, he asked Wall to join him in efforts to start the Peachtree Hope Charter School. Wall recalls King telling him: "You put out a challenge. Now, you have to accept it yourself..."
In communities across the country, more than 2,000 volunteers joined Allstate Insurance Company agents and employees in tribute to the heroic public service of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Give Back Day reminds people to start the year by giving back and to volunteer in their community every day.
Allstate hosted service projects in 14 communities, partnering with non-profits to address social needs on a local level. Volunteers in Chicago held a book drive for elementary students in Chicago Public Schools. In Texas, Allstate partnered with Rebuilding Together to clean and repair homes of low-income residents. Allstate New Jersey teamed up with Junior Achievement of New Jersey to help beautify an elementary school. And, in Denver, Allstate agents and employees read books to patients at local children’s hospitals.