Bill Cosby Speaks in Prattville
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Controversial comedian Bill Cosby was in Prattville today to raise awareness for education in Alabama’s black belt region.
He was at the Marriott Hotel in Prattville to shed light on the black belt, one of the poorest areas in the state. It’s an area where there is high unemployment and poor access to education.
Actor and Comedian Bill Cosby is teaming up with the Black Belt Community Foundation to push for better education and more resources for students in Alabama’s black belt region.
“These children that we’re going to visit tomorrow can be polished, they can be fixed,” he said.
Cosby has been an education advocate for decades and event goers say he will help bring awareness to a serious issue.
“We’re in an isolated area, very impoverished,” said BAMA Kids Director Sheryl Threadgill Matthews. “A lot of our children just don’t get exposed to the things.”
Cosby spoke to a crowd in Prattville Thursday evening, talking about personal experiences and often cracking jokes.
“Mothers are like lawyers,” he said. “They ask you a question and they already know the answer.”
“He has been an icon for us as children, what he stands for and what he represents and we need our children to understand that.,” said Judge Marvin Wiggins.
Seven year old Michaela Chapple was able to meet Cosby before his speech.
“He always makes people laugh,” she said.
In recent months, Cosby has been embattled in controversy, with women alleging that the funnyman sexually assaulted them. But many say it doesn’t overshadow his philanthropic work.
“That is another personal matter with him,” Threadgill-Matthews said. “But Mr. Cosby, he’s always been very prominent and very involved.”
“We realize what has happened or what has been alleged but we’re just happy that Mr. Cosby thinks of us and wants to come and help us,” said Carlton Merriweather, President of the Panhellenic Council of Central Alabama.
Cosby will be in Demopolis and Selma Friday, where he plans to cross the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge with some high school students.
