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The Afro-American, September 24, 2016 - September 30, 2016
The Royal Priesthood Choir, Alfred Street Baptist Church in Va.
Tonya Veasey, Donnie Simpson, Dionne Warwick, Lifetime Achievement Honoree and Maya Rockeymoore Cummings
Maureen Bunyan, WJLA Ch7, greets attendees in the Exhibit Hall
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation held its 46th Annual Legislative Conference from Sept. 14-18. The conference included several sessions on different issues affecting the Black community such as police brutality, prison reform, education, STEM jobs, housing policies and much more. The conference also featured widely attended events such as the National Town Hall, Prayer Breakfast and the Phoenix Awards dinner. Photos by Rob Roberts
President Obama gives his last keynote address at the Phoenix Dinner
Comedian Trevor Noah and singer Kelly Rowland, dinner emcees
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary R. Clinton
The CBC founders Phoenix Award to Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.)
Tonya Veasey, chair, CBC Spouses and Alma Rangel
Greetings by Byron Willis, Union Pacific
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale, senior pastor, Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Ga.
Tasha Cobbs gives the musical selection Talib M. Shareef gives the invocation A. Shuanise Washington, president and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Youth Entrepreneur Institute in the Exhibit Hall
Annual Legislative Conference Cochairs: Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) and Rep. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) Phoenix Award presented to the family members of the Emanuel (AME) Church Nine
Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-N.Y.) (far right) and family with Rev. Jesse Jackson
Ronald and Donald Baker with Rep. John Louis (D-Md.)
Roland Martin Rev. Xavier L. Thompson, Lori George Billingsley and Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Mich.)
Sen. Cory Booker(D-N.J.) and Rep. G.K. Butterfield (-N.C.)
Actress Malinda Williams, emcee, actor Chadwick Boseman, Trendsetter awardee, and actors Cicely Tyson and Richard Roundtree, Lifetime Achievement awardees
The Rev. Jesse Jackson and Ingrid Saunders Jones
Chef Huda, winner of the Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen gives a cooking demonstration for attendees in the Exhibit Hall.
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The Afro-American, September 24, 2016 - September 30, 2016 This year was the 20th Anniversary for the Baltimore County African American Cultural Festival, which was held on Sept. 17 at Towson Patriot Plaza in
Towson, Md. Del. Adrienne A. Jones is the founder of the festival. Scholarships were given out to the following Baltimore county students: Galen Handy Jr., Kelli Barfield, Felicia Hart, Michelle Okiyi and Nzinga Hampton. Viet Nam War Era veterans were honored with certificates and 50th anniversary year commemorative Phillip Leighton, Lou pin. Ann Leighton, Olivia
Veterans of MD. National Guard 231st Truck Battalion: Joseph Beasley, Sgt. Nathaniel Pope and Alfred Brown. The flag was used to represent the African American volunteers who fought in the French Army during WWI.
and Ava Leighton
Vivian Green
Michele Bowman
Betty Stokes, Orlando Scott Sr., Bob Coston, Art Ames, Tinell Brat and Manny Lock Cheryl Hinton pours the “Libation” in honor of our ancestors
Abu “The Flute Maker” Jabril
Patapsco River Chapter Links, standing: Anita Turks- Hunter, Marlene Downs, seated Gretchen Styles and Alice Cox
Pauline Sharp, LeFerral Buster and Olivia Sharp-Buster
Toni Conway and Cookie Conway-Colbert
Baltimore County Executive, Kevin Kamentez and Speaker Pro Tem Adrienne Jones
Baltimore County Scholarship winners Kelly Barfield, Galen Handy Jr., Felicia Hart, Michelle Okiyi and Nzinga Hampton Photos by Anderson Ward
F
amily members and guests gathered at the Forum Caterers on Primrose Avenue in Baltimore on Sept. 17 to join in the celebration for the 95th birthday of Ruth King Pratt. Even though her birthday was August 2, she postponed the celebration until her son, Deacon Karl King I, was able to travel after surgery. Guests included former teachers, administrative staff, former students from elementary schools,
neighbors, church members, cousins, grands and great grands. A large representation of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members were present to honor one of their oldest members who joined the chapter in 1945 and eventually served as one of its president. She received honor and recognition on the national,
regional and local levels of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Most of Pratt’s extensive career has been centered around education on all levels—from her beginning—teaching in the Baltimore City School System, principal, chief education officer to superintendent of BCPS, to
Ruth King Pratt with her son Karl Madison King
Family members of Ruth Pratt
Laura Phillips Byrd, Helen McDonald, Dr. Charlene Boston and Lynda Brown
James Grove, Cornelius Ruffin, Mattie Christopher and Jacqueline Ruffin
Demonstration instructor at Coppin State, and adjunct faculty at Morgan State University. Born in Honea Path, SC to William T. Jones and Perry Magnolia Mattison, Pratt had a brother who is deceased. She is the mother of one son, Karl King I, (wife Noreen) and three grandchildren; Lauryn and twins Karl II
and Koreen. A long standing active member of Sharon Baptist Church since 1956, Pratt serves as a deacon in the church. Numerous excellence awards and certificates have been presented to Pratt for her volunteer service in the church and the Community.
Flora G. Johnson, Joseph Smith, Marlon Starks and Eleanor Everett
Members of the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority with Ruth Pratt
Monica Watkins, president, Baltimore Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority with birthday honoree, Ruth K. Pratt
Rev. Alfred C.D. Vaughn Sr. ,Pastor, Sharon Baptist Church and wife Lillian
Jentry McDonald, Cassandra McDonald, Wynonia Stewart- Brown, Felicia Johnson and Rev. William Johnson
Pamela Crawford, Rosalyn Crosby, Ruth Pratt, Stephanie Carr, Renee West and Donna Cypress
To purchase this digital photo page contact Takiea Hinton: thinton@afro.com or 410.554.8277.
Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine