JD Vance’s mother speaks at Johnston County gala to benefit sober living nonprofit

SELMA, N.C. (WNCN) — The mother of Vice President JD Vance was the keynote speaker at a gala in Johnston County over the weekend to support a sober living nonprofit, event organizers said.

Read more Man accused of kidnapping 12-year-old girl in Harnett County arrested, sheriff says

Beverly Vance Aikins spoke at the at the New Roots Gala on Saturday night in Selma, according to event organizers.

In partnership with Johnston, Harnett, Hoke, and Vance counties, according to event organizers, the gala supported sober living nonprofit Recovery Alive Homes.

“Beverly Vance Aikins is a recovery advocate, speaker, and mentor whose life story is one of remarkable redemption and resilience,” event organizers said in a statement. Known for her honesty, warmth, and deep compassion, Beverly now uses her journey to inspire hope in others walking their own path toward healing.

“For many years, Beverly struggled with addiction to prescription pain medication, which later led to harder substances,” the statement continues. “Her story is one understood by many American families — pain, coping, and a slow slide into dependency that felt impossible to escape. But with faith, community, and the determination to live differently, Beverly entered recovery and rebuilt her life one courageous step at a time.

“Today, Beverly speaks to recovery groups, churches, women’s ministries, treatment centers, and community organizations across the country. Her message is clear: no one is too far gone, and every life is worth restoring.”

Read more Man found dead from gunshot wound on Lane Street in Durham, police say

As noted by event organizers, Aikins is the mother of Vice President Vance, who first achieved fame for his 2016 memoir “Hillbilly Elegy”. The memoir was adapted into a 2020 film of the same name, in which Aikins was portrayed by Amy Adams.

“Their story has become known to millions, but Beverly’s voice is her own,” event organizers said in their statement. “She speaks not from a place of politics or spotlight, but from the real and human places of struggle, forgiveness, rebuilding relationships, and learning to live with hope again.”

According to event organizers, the messages of Aikins’ speech are to remind audiences that recovery is possible at any age, healing takes courage and community, family stories can be rewritten, and God can breath life into places that felt lost.

“With humility, humor, and a heart that understands what brokenness feels like, Beverly Vance Aikins stands as a living testament to grace, restoration, and second chances,” event organizers said in their statement. “This is more than a story — it’s proof that new roots can grow from even the hardest ground.”

Read more Tree lands on home that caught fire on Guess Road in Durham, department says

In her own statement, Aikins said, You are never too lost to be found.”