The Roanoker January/February 2024 - 23

40 UNDER 40
LISA ARCHER, 35
Editor/Publisher, Edible Blue Ridge
" There's an overwhelming
feeling of possibility: If you
want to start something,
if there's something you
are passionate about, you
can do it here and you'll
find people to support you.
Everyone in Roanoke is
invested in this city, this
community. "
As Editor/Publisher of Edible Blue
Ridge (EBR), Lisa Archer weaves
engaging narratives spotlighting the
region's food and beverage scene.
EBR amplifies movers and shakers in
the industry and champions underrepresented
community organizations,
offering behind-the-scenes looks at
local food services. She and her husband
are joint owners of Fermented
Fire Hot Sauce, and are often found
at local vendor markets. Archer dedicates
time to community initiatives,
volunteering with Star City Reads
and Hollinsummer program; she
co-founded the Small Biz Meetup,
and actively supports RARR and the
Roanoke Foodshed Network, striving
for a fairer local food system. She
serves as a Board Member for the
Virginia Farmers Market Association
(VAFMA) and sponsors conferences
like the Common Grain Alliance and
the Virginia Association for Biological
Farming (VABF) summit. " Nothing
brings folks together like a good story
or a good meal, " she says. " Stories
and food forge communities and I
believe every community is stronger
when it is invested in and connected
to its local food systems. "
* MFA in Creative Writing, Hollins
University, 2019
* BS in Natural Resources, Cornell
University, 2010
* Holds various certifications,
including Level 2 Wine
Certification from the Wine and
Spirit Education Trust, Court of
Sommeliers Level 1 Certification
and Cicerone Certified Beer
Server
JESSICA BABINEAU, 37
Community Recreation Supervisor
and Aquatics Facility Operator, City of
Roanoke
" It's heartwarming to
see how much people
in this city care about
their community and its
residents ... there's a
consistent and passionate
collective effort to make
Roanoke an even better
place for all its inhabitants. "
In her role as Athletics Program
Supervisor, Jessica Babineau spearheaded
community engagement,
fostering a 35% rise in participation
across diverse age groups. Notably,
her brainchild, PLAYPride, witnessed
a remarkable 76% surge, breaking
barriers for marginalized groups in its
third season. Her tenure as Athletic
Director in Collier County Schools led
to a 30% team performance uptick
and the school's first championship in
seven years. She holds various certifications,
including CPR/AED/First Aid,
QMHP-T, FLDOE Health/PE K-12, AFO
and various coaching-related qualifications.
Beyond work, she actively
contributes to community causes,
serving on multiple boards, including
Restoration Abbey, Roanoke City Little
League and Blue Ridge Pride Sports,
and is involved in the VRPS Young
Professionals Network. " My passion
for including underserved and marginalized
groups ... acts as a catalyst for
positive change, breaking down barriers
and biases, fostering diversity and
inclusivity, and ultimately strengthening
our community's social fabric, "
she says.
* Graduated from Nova
Southeastern University, 2007
* Earned certificates in Sport and
Special Event Risk Management,
Texas A&M Engineering
Extension Service; and Michigan
Sport-Related Concussion
Training Certificate, University of
Michigan, 2020
JORDAN BELL, 32
Director of Programs, Apple Ridge Farm
" Gainsboro [neighborhood]
reminds us all of what a
community can be when
that community believes in
itself. Apple Ridge reminds
us of why we are doing the
work that we do-the future
of our children and our
world. "
A William Fleming High School graduate,
Jordan Bell's journey began as
an Instructional Assistant at Garden
City Elementary School. He also led
the Garden City Gents, imparting
professionalism and confidence to
young men. As a Youth Development
Counselor with the Boys and Girls
Club of Southwest VA, Bell facilitated
programs promoting student development
and provided guidance on life
skills and post-high school pathways.
He founded Gainsboro Revisited, conducting
historical tours, and serves
as President of BMOR, empowering
positive change within Roanoke's
Black community. He played a pivotal
role in organizing Roanoke City's
Juneteenth celebration and contributed
to the " End Racism Now " mural
in downtown Roanoke. " My passion
impacts the community through
my belief and dedication to being an
example for those coming after me, "
he says. He has been recognized with
prestigious awards, including the 2020
Neighborhood Outstanding Volunteer
Leadership Award from the City of
Roanoke. The " End Racism Now "
mural received the 2020 Neighborhood
Arts Award, and Bell was also honored
with the Community School's
Local Hero Award in 2019.
* Received the 2021 Evelyn
Bethel Award for Heritage
Education from the Roanoke
Valley Preservation Foundation's
annual Kegley Preservation
Awards in recognition of his
Gainsboro history tours
KEVIN BERRY, 36
Director of Marketing & Communications,
Rescue Mission of Roanoke
" This region has such
potential ... I love that
you can't point to just one
thing as the greatest. I love
the passion, action and
collaboration that Roanoke
exudes every day. "
Kevin Berry has been part of the nonprofit
sector for over eight years, contributing
over four years to the Rescue
Mission of Roanoke. While he initially
started as Marketing Manager, he
is now Director of Communications
and Marketing, which includes managing
the popular annual Drumstick
Dash. His commitment to amplifying
the Mission's impact involves
improving communication strategies.
He organizes community and guest
Town Halls, elevating team engagement
and expanding the Mission's
media reach, notably doubling social
media followers to almost 12,000.
Berry's civic engagement extends to
serving on the Roanoke City Planning
Commission, leveraging his understanding
of homelessness, housing
and poverty to advocate for community
needs. Berry actively contributes
to the Downtown Roanoke Kiwanis
Club, attends Belmont/Fallon Target
area meetings and participates in the
SE Action Forum. " I have the privilege
of giving a voice to those who feel
voiceless, " he says. " I hope my impact
is felt in the realization of the humanity
of those who are struggling in our
community. My passion is driven by
the grace that has been shown to me,
the humbling moments where I witness
the beauty of humanity in some
of the most unlikely of places. "
* Earned a bachelor's degree
in Political Science and
Government, University of
Lynchburg, 2009
* Graduate of Leadership Roanoke
Valley, 2021
TheRoanoker.com
January/february 2024 23
COURTESY OF LISA ARCHER / COURTESY OF JESSICA BABINEAU / COURTESY OF JORDAN BELL / COURTESY OF KEVIN BERRY

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