Hampton Roads Community News

Chesapeake Juneteenth Scholarship Luncheon Features Sickle Cell Speaker; Awards Two Students

The Chesapeake Juneteenth Foundation celebrated its Sixth Annual Scholarship Luncheon by awarding scholarships to local students and raising awareness about sickle cell disease through a keynote presentation by health advocate Nita Thompson.
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CHESAPEAKE

The Chesapeake Juneteenth Foundation Board and its founder Ernest Lowery hosted the Sixth Annual Juneteenth Scholarship Luncheon on June 19 at the Buffalow Family Center.

This year’s keynote speaker was Nita Thompson of Los Angeles, a Business and Personal Empowerment Consultant, Health Advocate and Educator specializing in Sickle Cell.

Thompson said because the sickle cell disease has 1,500 different variants, many people carry the strain in their blood unknowingly when they have no symptoms. She urged making blood donations a priority in the Black community to ensure an ample supply of compatible blood is banked for those with sickle cell which is treated by blood transfusions.

Making an appearance for the program was Ruverta Holmes and the Chariots of Fire Dancers. Music was provided by Brothers, a four-man vocal group, and an “America the Beautiful” video produced by Lowery featured soloist Regenna Burden.

During the luncheon, scholarships were presented to Mia Symone (Oscar Smith HS), Josiah Mincey and Zyaire Bullock, the reigning Miss Juneteenth (I.C. Norcom).

Others on the program were Board officers Dr. George Reed, Minister Keith Crowe, and Mr. Rashad Lowery.