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The Afro-American, November 11, 2017 - November 17, 2017
Craig Muckle, Wynona Redmond, Edgar Brookins, honoree, Candice Nicole Mackel, Millennial Award honoree, Alex Hill, Millennial Award honoree, Joanne Williams, Legacy Award honoree, Antonice Jackson, president, BPRS-DC and Deborah Hyman
Brittany Lewis, Miss Black America 2017
The National Black Public Relations Society’s Washington, D.C. Chapter hosted an event Oct. 21 that celebrated the life and legacy of Ofield Dukes. The Inaugural Ofield Dukes Excellence in Public Relations Reception and Awards was held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Northwest D.C. More than 100 Public Relations and Communications professionals attended to William “Larry” Lucas speaking give tribute to Dukes, about Ofield Dukes who died on Dec 7, 2011.
Antonice Jackson, President, BPRS’ presents the Inaugural Blue Heart Award to Edgar Brookins, D.C. AFRO general manager
Rochelle Ford, Rev. Dr. Unnia Pettus, Lavonia Perryman, Roxie Victorian and her mother, and Johnetta Hardy
Rochelle Ford(left) and Rev. Dr. Unnia Pettus present Ofield Dukes scholarship to Ricky Davis, student at Howard University
Ronald Baker presents the Legacy Award to Joanne Williams
Michael Dutton, Ciara Brooks and Antonice Jackson
Photos by Ronald Baker – Solid Image Photo
Ms. Veteran America 2017 Catherine Bach, keynote speaker, showing off award for outstanding service Cassandra Taylor, talent competition
Rebekah Lloyd, 1st runner up, Callandra Monday, 2nd runner up and Lindsay Gutierrez, Ms. Veteran America 2017 Callandra Mondy, Show Stopper Award and Nicole Margaret Ellingwood Malachowski, 1st USAF Female Pilot with The Thunderbirds
Actor Lamman Rucker and Army Veteran Marissa Strock, emcees
Chelsea Evans, winner of the G.I. Jane Competition; Sgt. First Class Akia Sieben (back , left)
Denyse Gordon Watts, Lindsay Gutierrez and Jas Booth, founder and president, Final Salute
Ricardo Watts, Denyse Gordon Watts, Ms. Veteran America Emeritus, Lamman Rucker, Jan Booth and Jammel Booth
Photos by Rob Roberts
Grace, poise, beauty and service are the exemplary qualities that ladies exhibited when they participated in the Ms. Veteran America Competition on Oct. 8 at the Liaison Capitol Hill in Northwest, Washington D.C. The Woman Beyond the Uniform was clearly demonstrated when
more than 20 women veterans strutted across the stage in the categories of G.I. Jane, talent and evening wear. When the dust of the combat boots had settled, Lindsay Gutierrez was crowned Ms. Veteran America 2017. Proceeds from the event will go toward housing for homeless women veterans and their children.
Judges: Gladys Hughes, former Ms. Veteran America, Chief Jessica Myers, Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Michele Jones, Dr. Karen Walker and Kimberly Michelle Miller
The final 10
Ms. Veteran America 2016, Molly Mae Potter does her final walk.