March 21, 2015 - March 27, 2015, The Afro-American
The Country Club at Woodmore in Mitchellville, Md. was the venue for the annual 105 Voices of History HBCU National Choir Concert where the audience was treated to musical offerings of classical, spiritual, gospel, jazz, broadway and Motown sounds. The Howard University Concert Band along with students from Alabama A&M University, Delaware State University, Central State University, The Lincoln University, Morgan State University, North Caroline A&T State University and Tennessee State University provided soloists. Sponsors included Northrup Grumman Corporation, Aetna, Geico, IAM Solutions and Men’s Wearhouse. Key supporters included The Links, Old Dominion Chapter (VA); Woodmore House Assisted Living; Sidney Strickland and Gloria Johnson, Esq. Toni Roy orchestrated the concert.
Howard University concert band in performance
Debbie Harrison, consul assistant; Paulette Zonicle, consul general; The Bahamas and Sabrina Hare, Couture Cakes by Sabrina
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Dr. Dianne Whitfield-Lock, art collector and Misty Brown, Art entrepreneur
Toni Roy with Dr. Alotta Taylor Chinenya Onuk Wugha, student at Lincoln University
Three Mo’ Tenors; soloist LaVonte Heard, Central State University and soloist George Edwards, Alabama State University
Top soloists from participating HBCU choirs
William Jones, tenor, Terrance Tarver, tenor and emcee/Howard University Ph.D student and Edmond Charles, pianist
Sponsors with student performers Deborah Lewis-Thornton and Elizabeth Foster, The Links
Tanya Penny Woods and Sharon Collins Photos by Rob Roberts
By Shari L. McCoy The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge and the Georgiana Thomas Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, PHA, in partnership with the Prince Hall Freemason and Eastern Star Charitable Foundation held its 3rd Annual D.C. Prince Hall Masonic Classic on Feb. 1, at Howard University Burr Gymnasium. Howard University Bison played Morgan State University Bears. The D.C. Prince Hall Masonic Classic is one of the signature charitable activities of the Most Grand Worthy Matron of Worshipful Grand Master Norman L. Campbell. Grand Worthy Matron Venecia C. Bessellieu, Maryland Carol D. Simon, Grand Worthy Patron Albert Pope as well as Most Worshipful Grand Master Lee Taylor and Most Worshipful Grand Master of Maryland Lee Grand Worthy Matron Carol S. Simon of the Jurisdiction of Maryland. The honorary chairman Masonic Classic Chairman Thomas L. A. Taylor Jr. was Basketball Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, who attended the festivities and assisted in Coleman being presented a plaque for presenting the scholarships to two Howard University students.. “This is an important leadership, along with Vice Chairman Dr. Marjay D. Anderson and Lady Bison mascot event because education is the back bone of our society and our youth are the back bone of our society,” said Thomas, who is also a Master Mason. “Anytime we can use sports to bring our community together, we try to use any tools to get our youth on the right page.” During half-time festivities, Isiah Thomas, Grand Master Campbell, Grand Worthy Matron Bessellieu, Grand Worthy Patron Pope and Foundation President George C. Lacey awarded $5,000 scholarships to Denisha Dempster and Ngozi Burrell before university officials, Isiah Thomas, center, with Georgiana Thomas Grand Chapter Officers Grand Conductress Eunice J. Dingle, Grand Worthy faculty, students, Masonic Classic Executive Committee: Thomas Gore, James Parker, Patron Albert Pope, Grand Worthy Matron Venecia C. Shari L. McCoy, Corey Satterwhite, Past Grand Master John T. Doles family and friends, Bessellieu, Associate Grand Matron Patricia L. Young and Sr., Grand Master Norman L. Campbell, Dr. Marjay Anderson, Thomas as well as the Masonic Associate Grand Conductress Sheila Smith L. Coleman, Kelli J. McCoy-Burkett and Rasii Elliot Family.
Masonic Classic Executive Committee: Rasii Elliott, James Parker, Shari L. McCoy, Grand Master Norman L. Campbell, Honorary Chairman Isiah Thomas, Grand Matron Venecia C. Bessellieu, Dr. Marjay D. Anderson, Thomas L. Coleman, Kelli J. McCoy-Burkett, Thomas Gore
Scholarship Awardees Denisha Dempster, Ngozi Burrell and their families receiving their ceremonial checks
Grand Worthy Matron Venecia C. Bessellieu, Most Worshipful Grand Master Norman L. Campbell, Grand Worthy Patron Albert Pope, Foundation Vice President Kelli J. McCoy-Burkett and Foundation President George C. Lacey presenting Honorary Chairman Isiah Thomas a plaque of appreciation Courtesy Photos
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The Afro-American, March 21, 2015 - March 27, 2015
The American Heart Association and the Baltimore Orioles teamed up for the 31st annual American Heart Ball, Feb. 28, at the Hilton Baltimore. The elegant black tie event celebration of life attracted more than 500 of Baltimore’s most prominent physicians, corporate, health
Darryl A. Stokes, Anita M. Jackson, Everette Jackson
Joianna Wallace, Miss Teen Baltimore County International; Alexis Johnson, Ms. Pre-Teen Harford County International, Laniah Loftin, Ms. Jr. Pre-Teen Maryland
care, philanthropy and community leaders to salute AHA’s impact on the Greater Baltimore community. In conjunction with Suntrust, serving as the 2015 event chair, the Orioles are devoted to raising awareness to the American Heart Association(AHA)’s lifesaving mission to fight the leading cause of death—heart disease and stroke— America’s No.1 and No.4. The American Stroke Association is a division of the American Heart Association. Jeanne Charleston was the winner of the Watkins Saunders Award. This award was named for Dr. Levi Watkins, first African American chief resident in cardiac surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Dr. Elijah Saunders, African American clinical Annette Fisher, senior director, professor of cardiology and Marketing and Communications, Mid Atlantic and Cara Paige, hypertension at the Haute Paige Public Relations University of Maryland.
Medical Volunteers Dr. Sharon Smith and Dr. Hina Patel
Psi Phi Omega Chapter, AKA volunteers are Tiffany M. Middleton, Bardett Nicholson, Latsha Davis
Dr. Levi Watkins, cardiologist and honoree stops to greet hostess Auroa Parker, Miss Pre-Teen
Demetrius Fortson, Donna Fortson, Tony and Carolyn Green
BMAC Delta volunteers are Cynthia Horton, Valerie Allen, Michelle Wynder, Lynn Middleton
Leilu and Ali Tabrijchi, Amir Majafi, Peter Cjo, Shadi Majafi
Pir Priyanka Suri, Deepak Suri and Maria Tildon Kristen Holcomb, Cristi King, Susan Helmrath Chimaoki and Ijeoma Chijroke
Taryn Angelos, Louis Angelos, chair, 2015 Heart Ball, Yvette Mingo, executive director, American Heart Association, Maryland region
Sherry Benton, Maryland Int'l Pageants director and Auroa Parker
Sharon and Raini Butler
Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine
Baltimore native and national bestselling author, Wes Moore and Philanthropik hosted the first Champions of #THE WORK Celebration, Feb. 28, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore. The red carpet award ceremony celebrated unsung heroes from across the country who labor to diligently serve their communities. Robert Clark, Kristina Berdan, Christopher Minaya, Codi Chavis, Angelique Smith were all
Mark Grier (Prudential), Awardee Robert Clark and Wes Moore
State Sen. Catherine Pugh and Calvin Butler, CEO, BGE
Wes Moore, keynote speaker
awardees. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings–Blake, former Mayor Kurt Schmoke and author Kevin Shird were on hand for the celebration. Inspired by Moore’s book, “The Work,” the Champions of #THEWORK platform challenges individuals to use their passions as vehicles to address issues and inspire change. Philanthropik is a series of charitable functions founded by Zachary McDaniels, activist, strategist and entrepreneur. Prudential Financial sponsored the event.
Photos by Anderson Ward
Wes and Dawn Moore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Awardee Kristina Berdan and Wes Moore
Awardee Christopher Minaya, Erica Pittman (Ciroc) and Wes Moore
Howard Jessamy, Hon. Kurt L. Schmoke, Dr. Patricia Schmoke and Roberto Alejandro, AFRO reporter
Wes Moore and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Wes Moore and son James
Craig Martin, Angela and Zachary McDaniels
Dr. Barbara Blount-Armstrong, John J. Oliver Jr., Diane and Frank Hocker
Michael and Erica Cryor and Wes Moore Jody Davis and Kevin Scott