Two Cookevillians To Be Honored At Annual IMPACT Awards

The Tenth Annual IMPACT Awards will honor two Cookeville residents Sunday for their contributions.

IMPACT member Brandon Russell said this year’s award-winners are Dr. Quinten Cancel and Scottie Roberts. He said Cancel was a urologist in Cookeville for years and served as the IMPACT Board President. He said Roberts has stamped himself as a vital piece of the Cookeville family through his hard work in helping others.

“With the African American community being so small in this area, I think we really want to do a good job of focusing and highlighting those who may not be seen every day by everyone and just really give people their flowers,” Russell said. “Just recognize what they’ve done for the community. Not only our community, but for Cookeville as a whole.”

Russell said it started with an idea of several IMPACT members who frequently ate breakfast together and brainstormed ways to show recognition to those who make a difference.

“Every year I see the honorees get up there, it inspires me a little bit more about what I can do better and continue just pushing the needle a little bit more in the community of really bringing diversity in the area, making sure we’re focusing on those around us, and making sure we’re taking care of our families as well,” Russell said.

The doors open at 5:00pm Sunday for the annual banquet. He said those interested in attending can buy tickets on the Cookeville IMPACT website

Russell said one of his favorite parts of the event is listening to the honorees give their acceptance speeches.

“In the past, we’ve had anywhere from teenagers to show up, to senior citizens to show up,” Russell said. “So, there’s a lot of different people from a lot of different age ranges there that get to see these people being honored and hear about their life, and understand that whatever you do, no matter what your jobs have been in the past, you can always make an impact moving forward.”