History of the Alpha Debutante Ball The Beaux Ball, the forerunner of the Alpha Debutante Ball, had its beginning in 1948. The Brothers of Pi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. wanted to make an impact on the social and educational life of African American females attending colleges and universities throughout the state and the country. The first activity was held in December 1948 at the Dreamland Ballroom on the corner of West Ninth and State Streets. The affair was patterned after the Mardi Gras and Kreus Parades that are held in New Orleans, Louisiana. Brother John King served as chairman and was instrumental in making the venture a success. The Fraternity invited guests to witness the presentations of seven young ladies who were selected to represent the Seven Jewels of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. From these seven young ladies, a Beaux Queen was selected. The first queen selected in 1948 was Ms. Frankie Snodgrass of North Little Rock, Arkansas. Ms. Snodgrass was a student at Philander Smith College. As the interest in the activity continued to grow, it was decided in 1950 to change the format and expand the activity in order to offer an opportunity for other young ladies to participate. The name of the activity was changed to the Annual Alpha Phi Alpha Debutante Ball. On December 26, 1950, the First Annual Alpha Phi Alpha Debutante Ball was held at the Robinson Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Thirteen beautiful, excited young ladies made their formal entrance into society. They waltzed with their escorts to the tune of “I Love You Truly.” Ms. Thelma Pauline Minton of Little Rock, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Minton and at that time a sophomore at Arkansas AM&N College (now University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff), was selected as Ms. Pi Lambda. The Alpha Debutante Ball has historically presented college freshman women and now high school seniors to society on a yearly basis during a formal black tie event, as it was over 60 years ago.
Dear friends and kindred, Thank you, on behalf of the Pi Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for joining us as we celebrate the debut of these exceptional and lauded young ladies. It is indeed an honor that, for the better part of the almost 100 years of Pi Lambda’s existence that we, with the Sphinx Foundation have formally introduced Central Arkansas’ best of the best, awarded scholarships and – true to our mission – trained young men and women toward advocacy to our communities! One of my favorite adages - from among the Kikuyu in East Africa – “Work with the clay while it is still wet!” speaks not only to the urgency with which we approach the raising of our children but also to the fact that we have a communal responsibility for the future we aspire to. These young ladies did not come out of a proverbial cabbage patch, or of their own volition. They are a result of the work, the intentions, the prayers, the shoulders of ancestors beyond and people right here. They are here entering a 7-decade old pantheon of successful Black women! What an auspicious occasion! What a privilege it is to share it with you. Thank you for sharing your daughters, granddaughters, nieces, mentees and students with us. The privilege, I assure you, was ours. Thank you Kindly,
Ryan D. Davis President, Pi Lambda Chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Greetings, First, I’d like to congratulate each of you, the Debutante Class of 2021! This is a great time to be celebrated and presented as the next generation of successful women of color, who will go on to become accomplished educators, medical and social science professionals, political and legal minds, and strong community leaders. I am honored and grateful to be a part of your presentation! During this debutante season, you were presented with lectures on everything from etiquette to proper interviewing skills. These lectures were designed to help prepare you for the world you are about to encounter. It is my hope that you will capitalize on the lessons as you navigate life and explore new possibilities in your next endeavor; be it a college or university, the world of work, or a branch of the uniformed services. The knowledge and tips imparted to you will prove very beneficial and give you a leg up on the competition. Additionally, you have begun to build a network of supporters within your debutante classmates. They are not just people who went through the process at the same time. They will ultimately be the professionals you will need in your rolodex. Don’t forget about them! Remember, on this journey we call life, there will be many twists and turns. There will be moments of utter confusion, as well as moments of complete clarity. Just know that this ebb and flow is all a part of living! Be strong. Be resilient. Be relentless in your pursuit of a complete and satisfying life. Let the world know that you are not just a beautiful face with a gorgeous smile; but you are an intellectual chameleon with an amazing ability to tailor your behavior and style from the Debutante Ball to the Governor’s Ball, from meeting with the girls to a meeting with the Board of Directors. Because in the words of Oprah Winfrey, “The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you are intended to be.” Parents, thank you for giving the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., PI Lambda Chapter, and the Central Arkansas Sphinx Foundation the opportunity to present your young lady to society. It is an opportunity that we do not take for granted. This is an exciting time in their life and yours. So, congratulations to you for getting them to this point in their lives. Volunteers, thank you for dedicating so much of your time and energy to this process. I can say with a great degree of certainty that this process was made smoother because of your involvement. And for that, I’m grateful! Lastly, to Chairman Carl Hayes and the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha who served as committee members and was dedicated to making this night a special night for our debutantes, thank you for holding high the light! Onward and Upward, brothers…Onward and Upward! Sincerely, Thomas D. Cooper President, Central Arkansas Sphinx Foundation
Greetings, On behalf of the men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Debutante Committee, we would like to thank each and everyone of you for attending and supporting our 71st Debutante Scholarship Ball. It is our primary goal to impact the educational opportunities for our African American youth through scholarship, workshop, community service and networking. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the 71st Debutante Ball Chairman. I would like to thank these young ladies for accepting our invitation and Golden Ticket to become members of the 2021 Debutante Class. I would also like to thank their families, friends, and support systems for sharing them with us. It is because of you, that we are able to invest in these young ladies’ lives and they will definitely impact our society in the near future. I would like to thank the Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. that served on the committee for their timeless work in making this evening a phenomenal event. I would also like thank Shelia Hayes, Kimberly Lockhart, Theresa Timmons -Shamberger and our Deb moms. Colea Blann, Latonya Austin – Honorable, Falon McCoy, Tasha Pankey and Leaundra Sanders. I would like to say thanks to our judges, emcee and volunteers, we could not have done this without you. It is my prayer, that God places His hands on each one of these young ladies as they face today’s society. Congratulations Debutantes and thanks again for being a part of our Class of 2021. LIVE YOUR LIFE LIKE IT IS GOLDEN!!!!!! Sincerely, Carl Hayes Debutante Chairman
2021 Debutante Committee
Carl Hayes
Shantonio Elliott Treasure
Committee Member
Lee Honorable
Ian Morrison
Davis Pankey
Chair of Debutante Ball
Committee Member
Roland Beard Jr.
Committee Member
Committee Member
Members Not Pictured Anthony Moore
Vice-Chair of Debutante Ball
Chris Watkins
Committee Member
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc Central Arkansas Sphinx Foundation 2019 Debutante Scholarship Ball
Pictured from left to right: Bro. Reginald Jackson (President, Central Arkansas Sphinx Foundation) Ms. Emaine Montgomery (Miss Pi Lambda 2019-2020) Bro. Allen Carl Hayes (Debutante Ball Chair) Ms. Makayla Smith (Miss Black and Gold UALR 2019) Bro. Charles King (President, Pi Lambda Chapter)
2021 Alpha Phi Alpha Debutantes
Samiya Allen
Catherine Alpough
Kylie Grace Bell
Parkview High School
Joe T. Robinson High School
Parkview High School
Jennifer Ben
Alasiah Bledsoe
Morgan Cobb
Holmes Community College
E-stem Public High School
N. Little Rock High School
2021 Alpha Phi Alpha Debutantes
Ciara Cooper
Janiya Dailey
Dasjah Daniels
University of Central Arkansas
E-stem Public High School
University of AR Pine Bluff
Laila Gillespie
Pearson Hardin
Genesis Hayes
L.R. Central High School
E-stem Public High School
Parkview High School
2021 Alpha Phi Alpha Debutantes
India Hayes
Jayla Holt
Alana Honorable
E-stem Public High School
Parkview High School
L.R. Central High School
Yasmine Honorable
Destinee Howard
Carrington Johnson
Dillard University
North Carolina A&T State University
L.R. Central High School
2021 Alpha Phi Alpha Debutantes
Dalaiah Johnson
Kourey Johnson
Rayla Johnson
N. Little Rock High School
E-stem Public High School
Joe T. Robinson High School
Kennedy Key
Blair King
Ashanti McCoy
Parkview High School
L.R. Central High School
Langston University
2021 Alpha Phi Alpha Debutantes
Fayrandah Medley
Sydney Montgomery Parkview High School
E-stem Public High School
Jasmine Parker
Akiya Saine
Naija Sharpley
N. Little Rock High School
Parkview High School
L.R. Central High School
Zaria Montgomery
Parkview High School
2021 Alpha Phi Alpha Debutantes
Samia Smith
Asia Stewart
Taylor Swinton
L.R. Central High School
E-stem Public High School
L.R. Central High School
Paige Thomas
Q'Jadeyn Tyler
Taylor Williams
Bryant High School
Maumelle High School
Delta State University
Congratulations Blair King!
“Live life as though nobody is watching, and express yourself as though everyone is listening” -Nelson Mandela
Wishing you much success and happiness! Darrin, Nicole, DJ and Payton Williams
Congratulations Blair King 2021 Debutante! Best wishes from the West Family!
Congratulations Blair King! ODS Enterprises Doris, Stephanie and Sydnie Washington 501-607-0160 | info@odsenterprises.com
Congratulations Blair King! Dr. & Mrs. Morris and LaShawn Kelley and Family
Congratulations Blair King! Aunt Alex
Congratulations Blair King! Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Hendrix and Jacob Hendrix
Congratulations Blair King! We Love You! From your family, Edwin, Yolanda, Devonte, Jarius, Aaron and Saniyah Adams
Congratulations Debutante Blair King! From Aunt Brenda
Congratulations Debutante Blair King! We are proud of you! May your success be everything you want it to be. Love Always, The Smith Family Janette, Leroy, Caleb, Cameron and Myracle
Congratulations Miss Blair A. King! May the Lord continue to bless you, guide you, and protect you always.”
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We love you always, Beverly Arbor, Janice Daniels, Anita Douglas & Faye Lockett
Blair A. King Best wishes and continued success in your endeavors. Congratulations! Arkansas State Representative Joy Springer Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Beta Pi Omega Chapter President
Congratulations Debutante Blair King and best wishes for a bright future! We are proud of you!
Erica Bonds, Nicole Middleton and Nikita Walker
Congratulations Debutante Blair A. King
Mom, Dad and Sissy Love You! We are so proud of you! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Congratulations Samiya On this Wonderful opportunity!!!! I’ve known you for many years and I am Proud of the young lady you have become. Continue to be blessed.
2021-2022 Pi Lambda Active Brothers Jermaine Adkins Darius Alexander Duke D. Alexander, Jr. Robert L Allison, Jr. Brian Anderson Junious C. Babbs Kelsey D. Bailey Roland Beard, Jr. Lonzell Blackmon Robert Blue Eric Renard Brandon Henry Brooks, IV George M. Bryant Larry Carter Marshall E. Cooney Thomas D Cooper Terence T. Cox Ryan D. Davis Todd F. Day, Jr Jonathan R. Dismuke Charles W. Donaldson Charles T. Easley Shantonio L Elliott Stanley K. Ellis Bobby L. Forrest, Jr. Franklin E. Furlough, Sr. Alvin Futrell Brian E. Gittens Anthony B. Goins Van Marquis Golden Charles A. Green Charles Steven Green John E. Green, Jr. Thomas E. Green Jason D. Hamilton Allen Carl Hayes
Lee R. Honorable Tramon Hunnicutt Frederick F. Hurt Reginald L. Jackson Vincent C. Jackson Patrick D. Jacob Jerrell J. Johnson Ardren Jones Charles King, Jr. Ma’Ron V. King Julius J. Larry, III James B. Lee John Alvin Lee, Jr. Curtis J. Lewis Raymond Long Lascelles E Lyn-Cook, Jr. Noel M. Lyons Jerry L. Malone Roderrick J. Martin Arthur McDade, III Carlton J. McGee Keith M. McGee, Sr. Courtney K. Miller, Sr. Vincent C. Miller Sidney D. Milton Arthur N. Montgomery Anthony M. Moore, III Ian P. Morrison Eric W. Nelson Robert L. Nelson Kevin L. Noble Thomas D. Noble, III Nicholas L. Norfolk Jonathan Nwosu, Sr. Davis L. Pankey Alvin F. Peer
Lucious Powell Leroy Randolph Darnell L. Rice, Jr. James Richardson Karl R. Roberts Garrick Rogers Lott Rolfe, IV Tarai D.T. Rolle Ernest Sanders, Jr Roscoe T. Sanders Herbert M. Scott, Jr. Lester D. Scott Glenn Sergeant, Sr. Leland Tony Shepherd Robert L. Simmons, Jr. Chauncey D. Sims Brandon Smith Frank Lee Smith Roderick L. Smothers John Talley, Jr. Sherman E. Tate Charles A. Thomas Dominque J. Thomas Van L. Thomas Dwight D. Townsend, Sr. Kalven L. Trice Christopher L. Watkins Billy N. Watson Heath A. Welch Zavian Z. Wilburn Kenneth Williams Rodney Williams Russell R. Williams, III Timothy Williams Darryl J. Wilson, Sr. Kevin Young