Our mission

Breon Clark , of New Smyrna Beach,  graduated from New Smyrna Beach High School in 2016. During his childhood, Breon attended the Alonzo "Babe" James Community Center.  Mr. Clark, was one of the first persons to be part of  Summer Camp Internship Program, and the first recipient to receive the Friends of Babe James, INC. College Scholarship awards.

During High School, Breon was a multi-sport athlete in track, football, and weightlifting. Breon finished 2nd in the state weightlifting championships and was selected by the Daytona News Journal and Orlando Sentinel to the All Area Weightlifting Team. 

Breon entered University of Central FLorida in 2016 and graduated in 2020, at the College of Health Professions and Sciences, and is majoring in health sciences pre-clinical. During his undergraduate career, he served as the Community Service Director of the LEAD Scholars Academy, a UCF Cares Ambassador, Education and Literacy Director of Volunteer UCF, Diversity and Outreach Coordinator in Student Government Association, and participated in undergraduate research for neurological linguistics as a part of the Transportation Research Group (TRG). His strong will to be a voice for student concerns led Mr. Clark to run for student body Vice President as a sophomore and he currently serves as a member of the President’s Leadership Council. As a product of his efforts, Breon has been accepted and will attend UCF’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program as a recipient of the Professional Doctoral Diversity Fellowship.  

Friends of Babe James awarded a scholarship of two-thousand dollars to Timia Merrick, of Oak Hill, as the 2020 Scholarship Recipient, who graduated in 2021 at New Smyrna Beach HS with Honors. As an active member in her school, she was part of the Interact Club which volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club, along with raising  money for Southeast Humane Society, and participating in beach clean-up days. Timia played Varsity Basketball along with Flag Football for NBSHS.   

Timia is  very involved with her Church, Bible Way Church of God and Christ, Oak Hill, FL, and enjoyed activities there such as the Youth Choir and Praise Team. Now that she is an adult, she will continue her journey with Adult Praise and Worship, and guide the upcoming youth who attend the church.

Beginning her College Freshman year early at the University of Central Florida - Orlando, Timia completed her UCF summer courses with an A average in the Nursing Program and looks forward to the benefits of the medical industry as a way to help people. 

Faith Fletcher was the Friends of Babe James, Inc. 2020 Scholarship Recipient, that would help pay for expensing towards her nursing degree. During the summer months, Faith maintained a position at Starbucks as Barista to help pay for college. Faith has been performing well in her classes at Daytona State College and she qualified 2021 renewal of the Friends of Babe James, Inc. Scholarship.