(L to R) Ingrid Barber, CEO of Alleghany Highlands Community Services; Lamona West, Chair of Juneteenth Planning Commission; Tripp Curry, Director of Ceremonies at MenNefer; and Julie Carroll, caterer and owner of The Friendly Fork in Covington.

Inaugural Black Excellence Ball Raises Nearly $2,000 for Juneteenth and Jada Callender Memorial Scholarship By Ashley Prior and Jennifer Bailey Staff Writers   Low Moor, VA (Feb. 28, 2026) – This evening, the Journal joined several guests at the Inaugural Black Excellence Ball, which was held at the MenNefer in Low Moor from 6:00 p.m.—9:00 p.m. The MenNefer, located at 108 Mennefer Lane in Low Moor, was built in 1875 and is currently the home for luxurious wedding ceremonies, last year's (and this year's) Alleghany High School prom, and last night's Black Excellence Ball. This wonderful event was presented by the Juneteenth Planning Committee and sponsored by the Town of Clifton Forge, Williams DeLoatche Personal Injury Attorneys, and Highlands Community Bank. Among those who attended were Ingrid Barber, Executive Director of Alleghany Highlands Community Services; Lamona West, Chair of the Juneteenth Planning Committee; Tripp Curry, Director of Ceremonies at MenNefer; and Julie Carroll, Owner of The Friendly Fork and the night's caterers; music by DJ Hootie Mack, and dozens of eager and excited guests. The doors opened at 5:00 p.m., with dinner served around 6:00 p.m. Among the festivities included moving tributes, several speeches, and a time for throwing on one's dancing shoes and grooving the night away! The inaugural Black Excellence Ball was a huge success, bringing in $1771 after expenses, with the monies divided evenly between the Juneteenth festivities coming this summer and the Jada Callender Memorial Scholarship, founded by Alleghany Highlands Community Services. As for this writer (Jennifer), I was fortunate enough to work with Jada many years ago when a family member was struggling with depression. To say that Jada impacted his life in a profound and monumental way would be an understatement. What a ball of light she was, and what an amazing legacy she left behind. Photos will soon be made available on the Alleghany Journal Facebook page.

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