Afro LifeStyle 1-27-2024

B4 The Afro-American January 27, 2024 - February 2, 2024

We Empower Women celebrates Black women in executive leadership at annual brunch creeds, colors and professional backgrounds, together, creating an atmosphere but still found ways to unify and come where all felt welcome.

The Executive Women of Color This year’s celebration included an Winter Brunch was held inside of the opening from the Honorable Angela observation gallery at BWI Thurgood Alsobrooks, executive of Prince Marshall Airport on Jan. 13. The George’s County, and a keynote exclusive event, open only to members speech from Dr. Maya Rockeymoore of We Empower Women (WEW), Cummings. A panel discussion, convened women leaders from around featuring Adrienne ‘Gammy’ the area to network, celebrate current Banfield Norris, television anchor accomplishments and look to the Shawn Yancy and WEW founder and future.

CEO LaTara Harris, also took place.

The ladies represented a variety of

By AFRO Staff

Photos courtesy Binny Mwano

Dr. Maya Rockeymore Cummings serves as keynote speaker.

Each year We Empower Women, an advocacy and support organization for women in leadership, hosts an annual brunch to honor ladies who have taken the business world by storm.

Above: LaTara Harris hugs Secretary of the District of Columbia Kimberly Bassett (left).

Sharon Greene Middleton, Baltimore City Council vice chair, attends the 2024 We Empower Women Executive Brunch.

Below: Diana Leon Brown and Keiva Rodrigues snap a photo at the 2024 brunch.

Ria Freeman

Wanda Watts speaks to the crowd.

Caryn York

Women of all walks of life come together for the We Empower Women event, held at the BaltimoreWashington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Jan. 13. Shown here: Shawn Yancy, Diana Leon Brown, Vida Ali, Angela Alsobrooks, Virginia Ali, Keiva Rodrigues, Ronnette Meyers, LaTara Harris and Joy Moore.

Dr. Unique Morris Hughes, director of the District of Columbia Department of Employment Services, delivers remarks.

To purchase this digital photo page or photos contact editor@afro.com

D4 The Afro-American January 27, 2024 - February 2, 2024

Zion Baptist Church honors five leaders with Presidential Volunteers Service Awards

By Patricia McDougall

O

n Jan. 20 Zion Baptist Church in Washington D.C., under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Keith W. Byrd Sr., hosted the 2023-2024 Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) Honors Ceremony. Five members of the church were recipients of the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, including Rev. Dr. Keith W. Byrd Sr., Mr. Derrick Ruttledge, Marlene Tolson, Regina Ruttledge (posthumously) and Constance Laws (posthumously).“We are eternally grateful to the Zion Baptist Church, DC for hosting the awards program this year,” said Dr. Beverly Kee, executive director of Premiere Coalition Partners Association, a Maryland-based certifying organization for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award Program. “We had a very impressive list of honorees who are making a meaningful difference in their communities, and this venue was so fitting for such a prestigious event being an historical landmark.”

Kee presented the awards on behalf of the Points of President’s Volunteer Service Award Program. The recipients received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, a gold medallion, a presidential pin and a letter signed by the 46th president of the United States, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Established by executive order by George W. Bush, the prestigious honor has been awarded to a select few Americans. The award seeks to recognize more than 4,000 hours of extraordinary community service per year. There were many notable honorees recognized, however, this year their families were also recognized. They were as follows: Honorable Naomi Cox Andrews and her children of which three are presidential award honorees; Dr. Ronald Andrews, State Representative Rhetta Andrews Bowers, Rawle Andrews, Esq. and Rhonda Reece; Dr. William Dunn and family represented the Dunn Foundation. The Dupar Family was honored and a special pinning took place in honor of their late Grandmother, Lizzie Shannon Kee, who was a 2022 President’s Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree.

Maurette Brown Clark, renowned Stellar Award-winning gospel artist, ushers in the spirit after receiving her own award. Shown in back, from left to right: Dr. William Dunn, Ed.D, Dr. Willie Jolley and Rawle Andrews Jr. Esq., who served as master of ceremony.

Dee Taylor-Jolley (left) attends the event with the Honorable Naomi Cox Andrews, who received a gold medallion alongside her Presidential Award.

Dr. Beverly Kee, executive director of Premiere Coalition Partners Association, presents celebrity makeup artist Derrick Rutledge with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Col (Ret.) James E. Paige, a President’s Lifetime Achievement awardee, speaks with the crowd about his life and the choices he’s made over the years.

Rev. Dr. Keith W. Byrd Sr., pastor of Zion Baptist Church, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the community.

Dr. Ronald Andrews (left), Mr. Gregory K. Adams Sr., Dr. Jean Accius, Dr. Marvette Thomas, Dr. Clifford Morris and Manar Swelliam Morales, Esq. enjoy front row seats at the ceremony.

Shown here, Dr. Beverly Kee (left), executive director of Premiere Coalition Partners Association, with Charlyia Smith, Abrey Willams (child) Angela Dupar, Andrelle Williams, Mr. Darnell Dupar Sr., accepting a posthumous award for Lizzie Shannon Kee.

Singer Jayla Norwood, of the Duke Ellington School of Arts’ vocal music program in Washington, D.C., sings for the audience.

AFRO/Patricia McDougall