Kinston Teens launches community message board

Kinston Teens has launched a digital message board in Kinston to share community events, important news and resources with passerbys on a major thoroughfare.

The message board, located at a vacant lot that Kinston Teens purchased in 2018 on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, is a state-of-the-art LED digital sign that the organization will be able to upload messages, images and videos to be broadcasted to the community.

“Kinston Teens prides itself in our ability to reach and engage members of our community in fun ways, whether that’s through an in-person event or on social media,” said Chris Suggs, founder and CEO of the organization. “The COVID-19 pandemic along with Kinston’s struggles with hurricanes show us how important it is for Kinston citizens to be able to receive accurate and accessible information, and we believe that this community message board will be another avenue for us to do that.”

The digital sign is a $23,000 investment that the Kinston Teens organization is making to enhance its community outreach and engagement. The project was funded through the organization’s fundraising efforts and a $5,000 gift from the class reunion of Kinston High School’s Graduating Class of 1984.

Now through the November election, the organization plans to share updates regarding early voting, polling locations and pertinent information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. After the election, community groups and nonprofits will be able to submit news and events to be advertised.

Kinston Teens is a nonprofit youth-led organization with a mission of empowering young people through service, leadership and civic engagement. Since 2014, the organization has led a number of community development initiatives in the Kinston area.