Alton Murray is a church boy from Yemassee, S.C. who enjoys
educating and giving back to the community. After working a few jobs after
completing his bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Winthrop University and
master’s degree in Organizational Management with a Healthcare Administration
concentration, he finally landed a job working at the Catawba Care Coalition as
a Prevention Specialist. It was the opportunity to combine his interest in
education and giving back.
Catawba Care Coalition is a non-profit organization whose
mission is to promote optimal health by providing medical care and support services
for people living with HIV/AIDS and by educating the community to prevent the
spread of HIV.
The cause is important to him because he has friends who are
living with the virus as well as family members who have died from related
complications. Murray participates in the Charlotte AIDS Walk. So it was quite
fitting, that he would have an interest in this position. He was referred to
the position by his mentor, Telluss Good.
Murray recalled the moment he received the call with an
offer for the Prevention Specialist position.
He just came back for a run. He got back into his place in
Charlotte, N.C. and said, “Lord, I want it.”
He received the call ten minutes later.
“I absolutely love it [the job] because it is an opportunity
to educate,” Murray said. “And dismiss the stereotypes of HIV/AIDS.”
Murray’s main goal in this position is to reach out to the
community especially within the black churches.
The reality is people are having sex; therefore, safe sex
education is necessary.
“Sex isn’t really talked about in the community,” he said. “Something
needs to take place within the community.”
When Murray is not at work, he is either preparing to apply
for University of Chapel Hill’s doctoral program in Public Health, volunteering
with his chapter’s Kappa Leaguers, or coordinating Adopt-A-Highway events with
this fraternity (Kappa Alpha Psi) then he is serving as a mentor to three young
men.
One of his mentees was a student at Shaw University, but was
bullied and treated differently.
Murray encouraged him to “channel the bad stuff,” and do
something greater. He is now a student at Paul Mitchell Institute studying
make-up.
One of his other mentees attends Johnson & Wales
University and the other will be graduating from Rock Hill High School that
volunteer at Catawba Care Coalition.
Passion to Educate
Murray has a passion for educating the black race as whole.
“I want us to reach our full potential,” Murray said. “And
dismiss the judgment.”
He explained that there is a bit of a division in America
and the need to really be our brother’s and sister’s keeper.
The division was evident by the George Zimmerman vs. the
State of Florida verdict, Murray said. Zimmerman was found not guilty of the
murder of Trayvon Martin.
Murray explained that he respected everyone’s opinions
[about the verdict], but it showed the division.
Hope for a cure
As a Prevention Specialist, Murray hopes that researchers
will find a cure for the HIV/AIDS virus.
“Statistics are still high,” he said.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s
statistics called the “HIV in the United States: At a Glance,” said more than
1.1 million people are living with the HIV infection and blacks “face the most
severe burden of HIV.”
Where is the Respect
Murray explained that he doesn’t see a lot of respect
anymore in the community.
The common mannerisms of “Yes Sir” or “No Sir” are becoming
so belittle in today’s society.
“It [respect] is taught in the homes,” Murray said. “If it
is present, then you must live it.”
Murray believes that it is slowly getting better, but one
must learn how to respect themselves.
“People will treat you, how you present yourself,” he said.
Empowered by his
parents
Murray finds empowerment through his parents. His mother works
as a teacher. His father is known as the Mr. Fix It Guy in Yemassee who owns a
restaurant that is only open during the town’s major festivals.
Murray’s mother grew up in a household of seven brothers and
sisters. She got pregnant at a young age. While she was pregnant, she was
enrolled at the College of Charleston obtaining her bachelor’s degree. She didn’t
let it stop her.
Murray’s father has a similar story. He was reading at ninth
grade level, but he was able to go to community college.
He looks at how much his parents prevailed, and realized the
situations or triumphs he faced are not that major.
“It really motivates me,” Murray said.
Ambition to educate,
be successful and give back
His ambition to educate is evident in his role as a
Prevention Specialist. He is able to educate individuals about safe sex, STDS,
and HIV/AIDS.
Murray wants to be successful and positive in all that he
does.
“It’s time out for the foolishness,” Murray said.
Murray’s ambition to give back started because of his belief
that he didn’t get to where he is on his own.
“I believe if I help you, you will help me eventually,”
Murray said.
