Marcellus Barnes, Sr., left, presents student scholarships to choir members Jeremy Kimbrough and Brent Payne as Oliver Richmond, right, looks on Wednesday at the Avondale Recreation Center.More Info
To volunteer or to learn more about Unity Performing Arts Foundation call Barnes at 423-305-8335
Marcellus Barnes stepped into local recreation centers with a plan to positively influence at-risk youth who are gifted in the arts.
He knew students who did well in sports had chances to get beyond their environment and he wanted to provide the same opportunities for those who sing, dance, act and write poetry.
This year Barnes, the pastor of Grace Pointe Church, launched the Unity Performing Arts Foundation. He’s hosting a summer arts camp at Carver Youth and Family Development Center and awarded his first two college scholarships to students at Avondale Youth and Family Development Center this month.
“I laugh because I see these kids like me,” said Barnes, a 34-year-old husband and father of three. “Maybe they’re not going to be the next LeBron James or Stephen Curry, but they could be the next [gospel star] Kirk Franklin.”