Middlesboro High School hosted its second annual African American Alumni Career Fair on Friday, February 28, in honor of Black History Month.

The event brings together successful African American Middlesboro High School alumni from across the country to share their accomplishments with students. The alumni answered questions, shared their experiences in the workforce, and provided valuable insights into their fields. They also encouraged students to consider their occupations as potential career options after graduation.

The idea for the career fair was born when Dr. Roger Cleveland, MHS class of ’82, and owner of Millennium Learning Concepts, LLC, shared his vision with Buffy Dunnaville, MHS Class of ’88, and Partners for Rural Impact’s school-based program manager for the Gear Up program. Dunnaville then shared the concept with freshman math teacher and assistant football coach Nick Shoffner, MHS class of ‘15. Once the three MHS alumni began to collaborate, Dr. Cleveland’s vision for the event started gaining momentum.

It has quickly become a beloved tradition and a highlight for the alumni, students, and the Middlesboro School District, fostering connections, inspiration, and opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

Dr. Cleveland, an educator and advocate for equity and inclusion, consistently underscores the importance of exposing students to diverse success stories.

“Exposure is the best classroom,” Dr. Cleveland said. “When students see alumni who have overcome challenges and achieved their goals, it inspires them to reach higher and dream bigger.”

The African American Alumni taking part in this year’s career fair include:

Buffy Dannaville- Class of 1988

Dr. Roger Cleveland- Class of 1982

Loretta Garlington- Class of 1966

Mabel Ballenger Smith- Class of 1971

Ron Edwards- Class of 1975

Petie GIlebert- Class of 1977

Anthony “The Hammer” Williams- Class of 1978

Michael Williams- Class of 1979

Elizabeth Gilbert- Class of 1979

Kimberly Cole- Class of 1980

Richard Blackburn- Class of 1982

Byron Costner-Class of 1982
Nathaniel Taylor- Class of 1984

Nathan Taylor- Class of 1984

Albernita Cummings- Class of 1986

J.B. Simpson- Class of 1986

Floyd Patterson- Class of 1989

Eugene Seals- Class of 1990

Diran Young- Class of 1991

Jerome Costner- Class of 1992

Alyauna Davis- Class of 1995

Joshua Price- Class of 1999

James Patterson- Class of 2001

Reggie Brown- Class of 2002

Teresa Gilbert-Class of 2007

Carl Beaty- Class of 2008

Major Edwards- Class of 2015