Mrs. Elizabeth Vaughan Eccles served as the Mistress of Ceremony, gave the occasion statement and introduced the performers. Mr. Melvin Walker, Chair of the Deacon Ministry at Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church gave the invocation. Mr. Vincent Harris, Concert Committee Chairperson, brought greetings. Mrs. Sarah Sweatt, Chaplain/Norfolk Alumni Chapter, Inc. prayed the offertory prayer; and Mr. Al Steward, President/Norfolk Alumni Chapter, Inc. made the 2012 Musician of the Year Honoree presentation posthumously to Mr. Reginald Nathaniel Parker. Mrs. Elizabeth Eccles received his award.
Under the direction of Mrs. Ann B. McInnis, accompanists, Cecelia Hamlin and Randy Walston and percussionist, Melvin Jordan, the Booker T. Alumni Choir was superb. Mr. Julius McCullough directed “The Lord Is My Shepherd” which he composed. Mrs. Ruby M. Pool, contralto, sang “God is Our Refuge and Strength” which she composed and was directed by, a gifted young director, Quentin Hicks. Other alumni choir soloists were Mrs. Blondell Malone, Mrs. LaVerne Wiggins, Mrs. Janet Bagby, Mr. Johnny Falls and Mr. Curtis Dixon. Mrs. Vanessa Harvey and Mr. Johnny Falls rendered a melodious duet. Guest soprano soloist, Dr. Patricia Saunders Nixon accompanied by Mr. Keith Q. Bailey sang four great pieces including “Depuis le Jour,” and “The Grey Wolf.”
Mr. Al Steward. President of the Norfolk Chapter, Inc. made acknowledgements and Deacon Melvin Walker offered the benediction. A delicious repast followed the program.
22nd ANNUAL WHITNEY M. YOUNG, JR. AWARDS DINNER
The Urban League of Hampton Roads, Inc. Awards Dinner, held on Friday, April 27, 2012 at the Renaissance Portsmouth Hotel, was well attended by community leaders, organizations and civic minded individuals. Congratulatory letters were received from United States Senator Mark R. Warner; and from the mayors of the seven cities of Hampton Roads. The Co-Masters of Ceremony, for the occasion, were Greg Gumbel, sports broadcaster/CBS Television and LaSalle Blanks, Anchor/Reporter for WVEC-TV13.
Carlos Clanton, President/Urban League Young Professionals, sang the National Anthem; and Edith G. White, President/CEO Urban League of Hampton Roads and the Honorable Kenneth Wright, Mayor/City of Portsmouth welcomed the attendees. Gary McCollum, Senior Vice President Cox Communications/Rector of Norfolk State University introduced, Greg Gumbel, the special guest for the evening. Gumbel brought interesting, insightful and humorous remarks. The Honorary Chair for the Whitney M. Young Dinner and Hampton Roads Market President, Charlie Henderson, recognized the sponsors for lovely affair. Rev. Dr. Reginald Woodhouse, Pastor/First Baptist Church Jefferson Park in Newport News gave the invocation.
Following dinner, presentations of awards were given. John Broderick/President of Old Dominion University presented the Jocelyn P. Goss Award to Devon Taylor a senior at Old Dominion University; Delegate Matthew James/Virginia House of Delegates 80th District presented the Marian Palmer Capps Award to Dr. William Harvey/President of Hampton University; the Vivian C. Mason Award was presented to the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities by Carol McCormack/President United Way of South Hampton Roads; Dominion Power received the A. Phillip Randolph Award which was presented by Michael Wright , Director of Fleet Management Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Urban League Board Member; and Victor Branch, Senior Vice President/Bank of America presented the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award to Virginia Natural Gas. Scholarship recognition was given by, Joe Thomas, the Regional Vice President of GEICO to several high school students. Herman Lessard, Senior Vice President of Affiliate Services/National Urban League presented the Koch Award to Bonnie Purefoy of Old Point National Bank.
Dr. Deborah DiCroce, President and CEO/Hampton Roads Community Foundation and Urban League Board Chair, gave inspiring closing remarks. Rev. Dr. Charles Beamon, Pastor/Fourth Baptist Church located in Portsmouth, gave the benediction.