The Community Service Awards were presented to Mr. Billie L. Thompson, Sr. who retired, as Fire Chief, from the Portsmouth fire department after 28 years of service; and Mr. Arthur H. Jarrett, Sr., who retired, as Special Markets Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Division of Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. located in Norfolk, in July 2002 was supportive of African American businesses, civic organizations and Historical Black Colleges and Universities.
Billie L. Thompson, Co-Founder of Tidewater Youth Golf Association, was introduced by his daughter – Mrs. Nicole T. Epps. Mr. Thompson is President of the Tidewater Youth Golf Association and head golf instructor for the program. Although the Association was started to teach males, in Portsmouth, the game of golf, broaden their athletic horizons and to help keep them out of trouble, the Youth Golf Association now embraces youth, including young ladies, from other Hampton Roads cities. The golf program has truly grown through the years and is still growing. A summer camp has been instituted, for young golfers, that culminates, at a local golf course, with a tournament. Soror Maymie Proctor introduced Arthur H. Jarrett, Jr. who is chairman and coordinator of the Pantry Ministry at the Historic Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church. The ministry is comprised of three components – a food pantry (an agency affiliate of the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia), a clothes closet and mobile meals. Mr. Jarrett, with the assistance of 48 volunteers, service the poor and disenfranchised within our community; and he is also on the Board of Directors for the church’s community outreach program (OCDC). Presentation of awards, to the honorees, was done by soror Stephanie Gordon, President of Norfolk Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., followed by responses from both Mr. Thompson and Mr. Jarrett.
Sorors Clara Graves and Rosemarie Ward made presentations to select female seniors from Norfolk’s five public schools. Soror Renee Grant awarded five young ladies, from Norfolk’s schools, the Grace Branchcomb Perkins Award, established in 1979, in honor of soror Perkins who was a true believer of public service. The five seniors were Edith Amponsah and Elena M. Hunter/Granby High; Corey M. Mezadieu/Maury High; La’Shay D. Lucas/Norview High; and Jo’Kita T. Johnson/Booker T. Washington High. La’Shay D. Lucas responded for the awardees.
Michael Holloman and Tanesha McFadden, both 2012 graduates from Granby High, met the criteria for receiving the Mildred Dudley Peters Scholarship – being smart and attending a Historical Black College or University – from President Stephanie Gordon. Tanesha will be attending North Carolina A & T University as a biology/premed major; and Michael is looking forward to matriculating at Norfolk State University majoring in public relations.
Closing remarks and acknowledgements were by soror Linda Davis. Hats off to soror Vida Hawkins, Chairperson for May Week 2012, and her committee for a wonderful affair.
Norfolk State University’s Women’s Center Sponsors Fatherhood Initiative
Norfolk State University’s Women’s Economic Development Center will present “Daddy’s Girls: Exploring the psychological impact of a father-daughter relationship.” This free and open to the public symposium, on June 16, 2012, begins at 8:00am and end at 2:00pm. It will be held, in the New Student Center/rooms 138 A, B, and C, on Norfolk State’s campus. The purpose of this forum is to encourage the strengthening of father-daughter relationships. Maurice Jones, Deputy Secretary for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and publisher for the Virginian Pilot, will be the keynote speaker. Workshops include “Daddy’s Girls,” “Journey to Fatherhood,” “Redemption,” and “My Daughter and her Dad.” In these times, so much focus is on the young African American male that we forget our young ladies who are getting more and more involved with gangs and other negative behaviors. They also need our help. The father-daughter dialogue is very much needed in today’s society.
Young women need a strong male influence as much as or maybe even more so than the male. After all, women have the “HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE.” Therefore, we must make our young ladies strong and proud of who they are and what they have to offer the world.
Contact Shanell D. McLamb, Project Assistant/Women’s Economic Development Center located in Suite 107 University Police Building , at 823-8543 or register at http://daddysgirls.eventbrite.com.