Kimberely Scott of WJBF News Channel 6 in Augusta will be the guest speaker at the annual Lincoln County NAACP Banquet set for Saturday, February 28, at 7 p.m. at The Lincoln Center on May Avenue.

The theme for the evening is "A Change has Come."

Scott joined WJBF News Channel 6 in November of 2003 as a general assignment reporter.

In addition to her reporting duties, she co-anchors the 5 and 5:30 p.m. news for WJBF and anchors Fox 54 News at 10, Monday through Friday.

A native of Ohio, Scott made her way to Augusta via Atlanta, where she attended Clark Atlanta University, majoring in communications.

While in Atlanta, she also worked as a DJ at WTJH, and with a team of producers, served as a co-host of a teen talk show called "The Cutting Edge," which aired on the city's cable access channel.

It was not long before Scott decided to head to corporate America, taking a job in Georgia-Pacific's corporate communications division. Soon afterwards, she began working in the broadcast division of media conglomerate Cox Enterprises.

During her years in Atlanta, she served her community as a high school mentor and as an active member of the Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc.

After completing an internship at WSB Channel 2 in Atlanta, she made the journey to Augusta.

In addition to her career as a news anchor at Channel 6 and Fox 54, Scott enjoys speaking to civic groups and other organizations, including student organizations at Paine College. She also serves on a variety of local panels, speaking out about AIDS awareness and careers in journalism.

She is currently a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and serves on the board of directors for Augusta's Imperial Theatre.

In 1996, the Georgia Association of Broadcasters presented Scott with a GABBY, designating her as the "Best On-Air Personality" in Georgia.

In her leisure moments, she enjoys cooking, traveling, experiencing new cultures, and shopping.

In addition to Scott, the NAACP banquet will feature music provided by renowned saxophonist Grady Allen of Augusta and pianist Donnell Har- ris, a senior at LCHS.

Cedric Johnson, senior vice president and community development officer for First Bank of Augusta, is set to serve as the emcee for the occasion.

Others taking part in the program include Rev. George Edwards, pastor of Thankful Baptist Church; Cooper Cliatt, the District 3 representative on the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners.

Lincoln County Sheriff Gerald Lawson; Lincolnton City Councilman Henry Brown; Rev. G.L. Avery, pastor of White Rock Baptist Church in Rayle; Rev. Willie J. White, pastor of Newberry Missionary Baptist Church.

Anne Gunby, a member of First Baptist Church; Kenneth Elam, president of the Lincoln County Branch of the NAACP; Carrie Parker, a member of Mulberry C.M.E. Church; and Rev. Walton Clayton, pastor of Pleasant Grove C.M.E. Church.

Also during the evening, gift cards will be presented to those students from LCES, LCMS, and LCHS, who wrote the best essays concerning what they learned serving their community on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, January 19. Eleven adults and 40 students picked up trash all over the county to "Make It a Day On, Not a Day Off." The presentations will be made by Kenneth Elam.

Tickets to the banquet, which cost $15 each, may be purchased at the door.

The public is cordially invited to attend.

For more information, contact Emma Smith at 706-359-7345 or Helen Cavitt at 706-359-5543.

Founded February 12, 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots- based civil rights organization. Its more than half-million members and supporters throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization initiatives and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.