geoffrey watts – doing ‘God’s work’
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photo by steed media service |
NEI Award Winner, Bank of America
Geoffrey “Doctor Groove” Watts uses his God-given talents to serve his community. An accomplished poet and activist, Watts recently won Bank of America’s Local Hero Award. As part of the financial institution’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, five people from each of the company’s 45 markets are crowned their respective city’s champions of community service.
Watts, a proud father, received the award for his work with local youth and ex-felons. He frequents various prisons, schools and youth homes, sharing his poetry as a means to inspire. “I have two strong passions,” Watts says of what drives his service work. “[I work] to see ex-felons gain jobs and I work for black males to be able to rise, and rise up to the occasion.”
Watts received $5,000 from BOA to donate to the nonprofit organization of his choice. Having done his research, the self-proclaimed “Administrator of the God force,” chose Drue Lee Hines’ PRADAGI Foundation. “I’ve found that you have to continually give,” he says of why he was more than willing to divvy out the money. “You can’t expect any proceeds if you sow no seeds.”
An accomplished author, Watts has 10 books of poetry to his credit and three audio CDs available online. Though he is an accomplished artist, Watts says he’s also determined to serve his people. “When I’m doing the work I know that these [good deeds] are going to pay off,” he says. “There will be some blessing [in serving God].” – gavin philip godfrey
To nominate your own local hero, visit www.bankofamerica.com.
