Walk-In Closet business owner, Ms. Cher Smoot-Johnson, shares fun with 2026’s Bessemer prom students during Send-off Celebration
Armani Curry, Tamisha McKissick, Heaven Duncan, Brandon Brown, and Spencer Childers were among the 2026 prom recipients honored by Bessemer business owners.
For the past ten years, Bessemer’s Walk-In Closet owner Ms. Cher Smoot-Johnson has partnered with other local businesses to help ensure that prom season becomes a memorable and uplifting experience for selected high school students. Each year, students are chosen to receive full prom support, including tuxedos, gowns, shoes, hair and makeup services, accessories, and even a post-prom gift card.
“We usually choose four students each year to bless during prom season, but this year it ended up being five. We provide everything from the tuxedo, gowns, shoes, hair and makeup amongst other accessories to provide for our kids, as we also give a twenty-five dollars gift card to each after prom. We are Big Bessemer, and the inspiration behind this was that I was born and raised in Bessemer, and I was thinking of ways to give back to the community, and God put this way on my heart,” Smoot-Johnson said.
She also credited councilman Jarvis Collier and other community contributors for supporting the initiative.
Bessemer City High Family Consumer Science instructor Ms. Ahinoham Israel praised the effort, saying it gives students meaningful experiences during an important milestone.
“This speaks to exactly what our kids who are so deserving of having the best memories within their most significant moments means. My student Spencer Childers is so humble, and I wanted to make sure he had the opportunity to have the best prom experience,” Israel said.
Student Spencer Childers also shared his appreciation.
“I wasn’t necessarily geared to attend prom, but thanks to Ms. Israel and Ms. Smoot-Johnson I’m glad this opportunity presented itself,” Childers said. He added that he plans to attend Lawson State Community College and continue his studies to give back to others.
The prom theme was “Harlem Nights,” inspired by the classic film starring Redd Foxx, Eddie Murphy, Della Reese, and Richard Pryor. Students attended in elegant, vintage-style attire reflecting the theme, with limousine service provided by Chambers Funeral Home and support from other local businesses.
The event highlighted both student achievement and strong community involvement in celebrating graduating seniors across Bessemer.