AME Member Elected as International First Vice President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

At the 70th Boule of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., held in Orlando, Florida from July 10-15, 2022, Ms. Charletta Wilson Jacks was elected to serve as the sorority’s international vice president. She is a graduate of Howard University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts, and Clark Atlanta University, where she received a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Public Policy Analysis and Urban and Regional Planning Administration.

Ms. Wilson Jacks previously held several international appointments, including international secretary for the Sorority, chairman of the International Membership Committee, secretary to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation, and secretary to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Housing Foundation, Incorporated. At the regional level, Ms. Wilson Jacks has served as chairman of the South Atlantic Region Leadership Institute. At the chapter level, Ms. Wilson Jacks was chairman of the Membership Intake Process Committee for Lambda Epsilon Omega Chapter. Ms. Wilson Jacks was initiated into the Gamma Upsilon Chapter in 1976 at Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia. She is currently a member of Lambda Epsilon Omega Chapter in Decatur, Georgia.

Ms. Wilson Jacks spent 21 years as an executive with the city of Atlanta, Georgia and her last position was deputy director of Government Affairs for Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. Mrs. Jacks recently retired from the city. Her previous positions include development principal planner, zoning administrator, and planning director for the city. Her civic affiliations include being a member of the Howard University and Clark Atlanta Alumni Associations, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and Top Ladies of Distinction.

Ms. Wilson Jacks is married to Bernard R. Jacks and is mother to Ricardo Wilson Jacks. Her mother, Dorothy B. Wilson, is also a member of the sorority.

She enjoys traveling, reading, and working with neighborhoods on development issues. She is a member of the St. Phillip African Methodist Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia, where the Reverend Dr. William D. Watley is the pastor. ❏ ❏ ❏

Cameron Seawright Receives Academic Scholarship Award

E. Ann Clemons, 9th Episcopal District Reporter

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation awarded Cameron Isaiah Seawright a CBC Spouses Education Scholarship for the 2022-2023 academic year. The scholarship, established in 1988 in response to federal cuts in the education budget, is awarded to college students with high academic and leadership potential.

Cameron attends Benedict College in Columbia, SC. He is a sophomore Business Administration major. He serves as the chair of the Student Advisory Board for the Tyrone Adams Burroughs School of Business. Under the leadership of Benedict’s campus minister, Cameron also serves as president of BASIC (Brothers and Sisters in Christ); in this capacity, he organizes campus religious services and events. Upon graduation, Cameron plans to manage some of his family’s businesses.

Cameron is the son of Ms. Shari N. Seawright and the grandson of Bishop Harry L. Seawright and Supervisor Sherita Moon Seawright. ❏ ❏ ❏

...From Reflections p1 The flight crew members do not focus on only one or two aspects of the flight. Maximum passenger safety, satisfaction, and comfort are their top priorities. Brother Theo was praised by many at his memorial and funeral services for the fact that he had a “high level” view of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in its totality and focused always on the interaction between and complementary nature of the various organizational inputs and programs and how they will give the worshippers and the church at large, the maximum benefit for growth.

The flight crew members share a wide range of information with their passengers, from the welcome and introductory comments to the safety rules, the weather conditions, time of the flight, and emergency procedures. Brother Theo was always eager to update the members of the various Lay Organizations on happenings in the church.

The flight crew knows they must identify people who can show leadership and assist other passengers during emergency situations. More than one generation of leaders in the Lay Organization informed me that they regarded Theo Messiah as their mentor and coach. The flight crew is extremely good at creating brand consciousness. The same with Brother Theo; he was proud to be an AME Church member and very proud to introduce the AME Church to others. From school days, everybody knew that Theo Messiah was an AME.

The flight crew is most aware of the vulnerable passengers throughout the flight. But, without fear of contradiction, I can say that the members from rural areas, poor churches, and those burdened under personal and other challenges were always on Theo’s radar.

The flight crew members do not only cater to their passengers’ spiritual well-being during flights. They also feed them during the flight, clean–up afterward, and even sanitize the toilet and other facilities after use. Brother Theo was an outstanding leader with many senior titles, but he remained humble to serve the church and the Lay Organization in any capacity he needed.

Brother Theo maintained a realistic balance between the spiritual and the physical dimensions of human life. That is why he criticized the SA government for its corruption and arrogance. Submitted by the Rev. Quinton W. Liebenberg, M.Div., pastor, Ebenezer AMEC Ceres Nevertheless, he carried on the struggle for a South Africa in which the human dignity of all people, including the poorest of the poor, will be respected with dignified and affordable housing, quality education, accessible health care, and a fair legal system that will be so irrespective of color or class.

The flight crew shows their warm human side to passengers throughout the flight. To those who knew him intimately, Brother Theo will agree that he never played the victim game; he never looked for someone to blame.

The flight crew will see the passengers off at the end of the flight after the airplane has safely landed. They will greet them with a goodbye smile and wish them a pleasant stay till next time.

Our Brother Theo was often the last to leave, the last joke, the last update, the last word, the last laugh. Yet, in the light of the above, we can all agree that Theodore Messiah reflected greatness and profound honor.

The convention closed on a high note, and the Lay members were motivated to work with their assigned minister in advancing God’s kingdom.

...From There Is p5 are not worthy of God’s favor. It’s living life feeling unforgiven.

The hopeless life knows no race, socio-economic level, gender, age, religious affiliation, political party, or other demographic. Hopelessness knows no certain time of the day; it is an unwelcomed guest who never wants to leave. Yes, some life experiences have attempted to silence the voice of our joy and put blinders on the eyes of our hope. But! God, who is rich in mercy, loves us so much that even when the effects of sin would try to destroy us, Jesus redeemed us. God’s grace is so awesome that in the midst of hopeless situations, we can still hope for a breakthrough. Even though some of our situations in life could be better, we know that in Christ, they are getting better.

Through Jesus Christ, we are encouraged–not compelled, not constrained, to never give up, to never throw in the towel, or to not cave under the weight of what appears to be lacking. Instead, in Christ, we are to continually look at what is there and see what can become. No matter the situation, “It’s not over until God says it’s over!” Despite what is or is not going on in your life, remember: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

There is always hope; don’t give up. As the Rev. Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., proclaimed, “Keep the faith, baby!” I’m just saying! Peace with justice, be blessed real, real good, attend worship (in whatever way possible for you), families matter, and be safe! Contact Dr. Michael C. Carson at refreshingcoach@gmail.com.

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