Social and Civic Whirl: Tidewater Tuskegee Alumni Founder’s Day Breakfast

“Trust the Tuskegee Tradition,” was the theme for the Tidewater Tuskegee Alumni Scholarship Breakfast.  The theme echoes the vision/idea embraced by the current Tuskegee President, Dr. Brian Johnson, and reflects the power of trust that Booker T. Washington relied upon in establishing Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University). This annual Founder’s Day Breakfast, which was attended by 150 people, was held at Ivy Baptist Church’s W. Henry Maxwell Family Center in Newport News.

Newport News Chief of Police was guest speaker for the occasion and Ms. Mahogany Waldon, Public Housing Chair/NAACP, moderated the thought provoking question and answer discussion following the speech.  The panel consisted of law enforcement experts such as Terry Suit/Hampton Chief of Police; Sheriff Gabriel Morgan of Newport News; Hampton Major Steven Rich; Alonzo Cherry/the Community Relations Officer of the Hampton Sheriff’s Department; and Chief Myers.  By fostering an open dialogue between law enforcement and the community, the Tidewater Chapter of the Tuskegee Alumni Association continues to highlight their commitment to trusting the Tuskegee Tradition started by Booker T. Washington many, many years ago.

Tidewater area students who attend Tuskegee University benefit financially from the proceeds of this Annual Founder’s Day Scholarship Breakfast. Extremely important, to these young people is the history they learn and friendships that they make at this HISTORICAL BLACK COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY.

THE SOUTHAMPTON ROADS BAR ASSOCIATION SPONSORED “SO YOU’RE 18”

The Southampton Roads Bar Association (SHRBA) held its latest Virginia State Bar (VSB) “So You’re 18” presentation at Lakeland High School in Suffolk on April 30, 2015.  This program which has been presented at several high schools on the Southside is “designed” to assist our young people turning 18 to transition into young adulthood and beyond.  Those young adults learn, representing three (3) 12th grade Lakeland High School government classes, the NEW RIGHTS and RESPONSIBILTIES of PERSONS REACHING THE AGE of 18.  In light of the climate in today’s society, these are extremely important lessons to learn.

The students were shown the VSB produced video “So You’re 18,” which was followed by a very informative and interactive discussion between the students and panel of truly knowledgeable experts.  Panel members included SHBRA member Denise Jackson/Deputy Public Defender for Suffolk; Old Dominion Bar Association (ODBA) member and SHRBA member Solomon Ashby/Suffolk Assistant City Attorney; and ODBA Judicial Member Judge Alfred Bates/ Suffolk General District Court.

This wonderful and extremely important presentation was made possible with the assistance and coordinating efforts of several people including Tina Paul, Assistant Principal at Lakeland High School; Tameeka Williams, a SHRBA member, who coordinated the Suffolk attorneys and judge participation with ODBA and SHRBA member Solomon Ashby.  Other persons present were Marcus Scriven/President of SHRBA, other members of the SHRBA and student members of the same association.

Prior to leaving, students were given a copy of the VSB “So You’re 18” pamphlet.  Our young people truly need to be aware of and know their rights and responsibilities once they turn 18 (or maybe before); therefore the SHRBA has hopes of making this extremely important presentation at other area high schools. 

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Thank you for all your support!!  Continue to send me information for the Social and Civic Whirl  at email address: oagoss@cox.net.