Josh had the opportunity to sit down with Rachel Covington and Austin Bunn and discuss Leadership Southside.  A program offered by the Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce to help develop leadership skills and other skills to deal with conflict resolution, networking, and other avenues for individuals to evolve their leadership journey.

Growing up in Danville for me was challenging but a great teaching tool. I grew up on the Northside of Danville, around the Washington Street and Claiborne Street area. My mom worked for a company call Richmond Cedar Works and my dad worked for a moving company Merchants Delivery to help make my life a little smoother. I didn’t have a lot as the kids today but I had lots of love to go with what I had. There were days they were working hard to try and provide for me and my family that I had opportunities to spend with my grandparents. I have to admit I was spoiled rotten by them and to this day by all…lol. I learned a lot just by spending time with them and listening to every piece of advice I could that would make me better. My grandparents and parents would drag me to church for Sunday school, Bible Study and Sunday Service. I do believe to this day this strong religious calling on my life is to some of their credit. On some days after school or church you could find me on the church steps in the community talking to others or listening as people talk to me, I really was an old soul.

To bring this up to now, the teaching tool is this I am currently a Pastor, teacher, coach, mentor and life coach. I have a strong love and desire for everyone that I come in contact with to make them have awareness: do not despise small beginnings and you can be anything you want to be (especially my youth). I love my community and promise to give back every service that was given to me. I have been blessed in many capacities to give back to my community. There have been opportunities afforded to me to work as hospital chaplain, on youth NAACP board, Boys and Girls Club, funeral homes, school system and housing boards, just to name a few. This is my way of giving back to my community and to build that strong unity and love dynamic that is need to help our city and region continue to prosper.

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Mr. Garry Pritchett, Native of Danville/Pittsylvania County

Dan River High Class of 1977

Averett University Class of 1981

Lettered in four sports for multiple years in High school: Basketball, Football, Baseball and Track & Field

He assisted to establish a running club at Averett which lead to the establishment of a track team in 1978.

Dan River Most Valuable Player” award recipient in basketball 1977

Two time MVP in Track and Field, 1975 and 1976 at DRHS

Named DRHS Most Outstanding Male Athlete” in 1977

Garry qualified for the VA State Track and Field Championship for two years and as a junior, he won the 1976 VA State Long Jump Championship.

He was inducted into the Dan River HS Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.

Garry attended Averett University where he was a standout athlete, and member of the student government. He was a 3 year resident advisor and active in multiple campus organizations. He was student leader and was inducted into the Averett Athletic Hall of Fame for Basketball, Track & Field and service to the university. He remains active with Averett and is always willing to volunteer when asked to support.

Garry has been very active in the local community. He has worked in human services with youth and families for over 30 years. He has worked with The First Tee of Danville for 14 years and served as the director for 8 years. He was also inducted into the Danville Bowling Association Hall of Fame for his bowling success along with his 15 years of service as a Junior Bowling Coach and Board Member for the Danville Bowling Association.

Garry continues to be active in the Danville community. He is currently with Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services as a Prevention Program Manager working with youth, facilitating parenting programs in the community and in the local corrections facilities and directing a program for pregnant moms and new moms with children birth to 5. He is also active with RASAP the Regional Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention.

When time has allowed, Garry has volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, God’s Store House and the United Way. He is active with his church Bible Way and has been active with supporting events that serve youth and adults in the community through public housing, Boys & Girls Club and Parks and Recreation.