Conference Speakers

A native of Goldsboro, NC, a graduate of Goldsboro High and North Carolina A&T- Kay-Tee keeps our mid-days moving with her upbeat and enthusiastic personality.

Jarran Kentrel Reed, an American football defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL), was born on December 16, 1992. He attended Alabama for his collegiate football career, and the Seahawks selected him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He also spent one season each with the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs.

By night and most of the day, Averil Williams is a musician, composer, arranger, and music producer, but Monday thru Friday, Averil is the Program Director and On-Air Talent of WFMC (730AM/105.7FM Goldsboro) and WWMC (1010AM/92.9FM Kinston). He hosts the Gospel morning show “New Day” from 6a-9a on WFMC and WWMC. On Sunday mornings you will find Averil at LifeWay COGIC (LaGrange) at 9 am and New Stoney Hill United Holy Church (Goldsboro) at 11 am where he serves as Music Director/Minister of Music.

Throughout the years Averil has worked and performed with many artists such as Patrice Rushen, Kanye West, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, and Outkast. He also served as an Assistant Arranger for several Grammy Awards Telecasts as well as several BET productions. Averil scored the music for several film and television projects including the highly acclaimed documentary, Black Beach/White Beach, where racial tensions reach a boiling point in Myrtle Beach when two motorcycle
festivals — one primarily black, one predominantly white — converge over Memorial Day weekend in this historically segregated town. It won Best Documentary at the Charlotte Black Film Festival.

He received his Bachelor of Arts (Jazz Studies/Piano) from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Master in Music (Composition) from California State University-Los Angeles. Averil has served as a Board Member on the Board Of Directors for the Arts Council of Wayne County as well as Habitat for Humanity. Currently, Averil is a very proud and active member, serving as Polemarch of the Goldsboro Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Having a servant’s heart is Averil’s daily goal. Looking to serve first instead of receiving is always the best way to live!