Albany Technical College is announcing the upcoming TEAAMS Monthly Empowerment Session & Graduate Recognition Ceremony on April 18, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the Logistics Education Center. LaVenice Grace, Principal of Turner Elementary School will speak at the event. This session is part of the college's Teaching, Empowering African American Males to Succeed (TEAAMS) initiative. It is designed to provide African American males with fundamental skills to help them succeed and persist through internal and external challenges.

Each month, the TEAAMS project hosts a Monthly Empowerment Session, ATC Faculty and Community.

Leaders are invited to speak to the students. " It’s important to recognize the achievements of our students. The TEAAMS members have worked hard, and their efforts will not go unnoticed. Mr. Grace will join us as we celebrate our Spring Semester Graduates," remarked Quanta Bell, the TEAAMS Project Director.

About the Speaker

LaVenice "Vince" Grace

LaVenice "Vince" Grace is a native of Albany, Georgia where he received his formal education in the Dougherty County School System. Being the product of a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide him with the necessary life tools and skills he needed to be successful, he always knew in the back of his mind that somehow becoming an educator could be his way to assist people due to the fact that it is educators who impact the minds of young adolescences. Therefore, he decided to study to become one of those beacons that spark the flame in the lives of students for them to excel to higher heights and become productive citizens in their perspective communities.

During the Fall of 1994, LaVenice enrolled at Albany State University where he continued to study and earned a total of three degrees. His first degree was received in 1999 which was a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. During the Spring of 2003, he completed his Master of Education degree in School Counseling. His third degree received was in the Fall of 2007, an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. LaVenice is presently enrolled at Nova Southeastern University where is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

LaVenice actively attends Mt. Zion Baptist Church where Dr. Daniel Simmons is his pastor. He has been involved with several community service organizations such as The Mt. Zion Praise Team, Girls Incorporated Board of Trustees, The Anchorage Board, The Albany YMCA Board, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated, and King Solomon Lodge #14 Prince Hall Mason.

LaVenice is presently in his 6th year as Principal of the “Premier” Turner Elementary School located here in Albany, Georgia. He is married to a beautiful young lady LaToya Williams Grace whom he shares a twenty-six (26) year old son with that is a presently a graduating senior at Albany State University.