Hall Group Fund

Willmon Poole was my grandfather and had a third grade education. He was a welder by trade but beyond welding he was an artist. He created these statues out of steel to give to his grandkids when they achieved success. I received one of those statues when I was sixteen. I had just won my first pageant, Miss Black Teenage Danville. I still have his statue but not the pageant trophy. It meant more to me than all the trophies I received thereafter. I knew his trophy came from a place love and support for his granddaughter. His was proud. He used to say to me, "You will do great things, I can see it in your eyes!". He also said, "You are just a hunk of coal but you will be a diamond someday". He inspired me and his words pushed me.