31st Annual Unsung Heroes Banquet

By Alvin Swilley
Special to the Guide

NORFOLK
The South Hampton Roads Pan-Hellenic Council – SHARPC – recognized the performance of members and community leaders at a banquet held on March 30 at the Wyndham Hotel Norfolk. More than 300 supporters gathered to honor selected members of the nine historically Black Greek letter organizations – The Divine Nine. WHOV Radio personality, Kimberly Boyd-Jenkins of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority was the mistress of ceremony.

SHARPC presented its 2019 Community Service Organization Award to Kennedy Angel Gowns. This 501(c)3 not-for profit provides hand-made burial apparel for newborns and infants of bereaved families, as well as a number of associated resources and services such as counseling. It is the brainchild of Heather and Dimitri Wilson who lost their stillborn daughter – Kennedy Milan Wilson – in 2009.

SHARPC presented its Divine Nine Award for community service by a Black Greek to Brenda Moore-Sansbury. This member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Va. Beach Alumnae Chapter, was recognized for her volunteering in at least a dozen local activities. These range from working at the Food Bank and local soup kitchen to voter registration, Summer Youth Employment Program, Girl Scouts of America, as well as supporting senior citizen programs, working with stroke victims and other rehabilitative programs. 

The SHARPC Unsung Heroes for 2019 are Regina Stowe, Maerine Mitchell, Brenda Mitchell and Pamela Hyman, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Exum Lee, III, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; Lauren Parker, Glynis Mason and Kathleen Mosley, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Laporsha Dortch, LeTonya Parks and Candice Harvey, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority; John Mayer, Jr. and William Mulligan, III, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; Steve Couther and Michael Keyes, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity; Joyce Malbon, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority; and Michael Mitchell and Charles Davidson, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

The Unsung Hero Banquet Committee was co-chaired by Patrice Johnson and Sheila London of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Edwina Forrest, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, is the SHARPC president.