The Rev. Al Sharpton, a prominent civil rights activist, will come to a Daytona Beach church where he will lead services and speak about several issues, including the recent rally in Jena, La. The former presidential candidate is expected to be here Oct. 29, 30 and 31 for the Fall Revival at Greater Friendship Baptist Church, 539 George W. Engram Blvd.

GREENSBORO — More than 5,000 students, faculty and alumni packed the gymnasium at North Carolina A&T State University on Monday night to hear a speech by the Rev. Al Sharpton.

“He’s a very dynamic speaker and he just, he gets the crowd going and he’s always motivational,” Junior Lee Purvis said before the speech.

Sharpton spoke about the importance of young people voting and standing up for causes like the Jena 6.

The Rev. Al Sharpton spoke about the importance of young people voting and standing up for causes like the Jena 6.

“Now I know some of you will say, ‘well I went to Jena.’ Well you can’t win a fight in one round. People that fought in Greensboro fought and continued to fight until they changed things,” Sharpton told the crowd.

Sharpton says the most important thing young people can do is figure out how they want to make a difference.

“They must learn first and foremost who they are and who they want to be and commit their lives to that,” he said. “Too many people waste their lives and never figure out what they’re going to do with their lives. If they start by defining themselves then everything follows that.”

And with all the “Aggie Pride” around campus for homecoming week, students are on their way to shaping their future.

“It gives them, in many cases for the first time in their lives, a sense of belonging to something. A sense of comradery and I think that’s good and it prepares them for corporate life, for entrepreneurial life whatever. Because if you learn to be a part and proud of what you’re part of it can follow you all your life,” Sharpton told News 14 Carolina.

His speech was part of a week long celebration of A&T’s homecoming.