Community Happenings: Vol. 122, No. 15, April 14-20, 2022

VUU Alumnu Telethon Will Launch Rev. Joe B. Fleming Scholarship, April 23

HAMPTON ROADS
The Virginia Union University Mary Redd Nelson Hampton Roads Alumni Chapter is establishing the Rev. Joe B. Fleming Scholarship to benefit students who attend VUU from the Hampton Roads area. The scholarship honors Rev. Joe B. Fleming of Portsmouth, Pastor Emeritus, Thurd Baptist Church,  who has been very instrumental in organizing fundraising efforts for Va. Union for many years. In 2018 during the chapter’s signature prayer breakfast, Rev. Fleming’s clarion call generated twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) in donations and pledges to Virginia Union University.

On April 23, 2022, from 10:00-11:30 a.m., the chapter will host a virtual telethon to officially launch the scholarship fund. National acclaimed comedian Cletus Kassady will host this premier event.

To join in Zoom 950 567 7321 Passcode: workshop

Dennis Riddick ’82 , is President, MRN Hampton Roads Alumni Chapter; Dr. Paula H. Boone ’75; Chairperson, Rev. Joe B. Fleming Scholarship Committee

“Affordable Housing” Is Topic For Deltas/LWV Zoom Forum, April 28

NORFOLK
The Fourth Annual Norfolk Community Forum sponsored by the Social Action Committee of the Norfolk Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in partnership with the League of Women Voters of South Hampton Roads will be held via Zoom on April 28, 2022 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This year’s theme is, “A Strategic Approach to Affordable and Fair Housing in Norfolk”. The moderator for this event is Miss Delvon Key who is a community influencer and Norfolk resident. 

The two-segment forum will consist of information and a panel discussion pertaining to existing barriers to affordable housing, followed by discussion on current and future solutions for implementation by local and state agencies.

Some invited panelists are  lawmakers from the Commonwealth of Virginia, Norfolk City Council members, representatives from the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Community Services Board, and members of the Mayor’s Commission on Social Equity and Economic Opportunity.

UMBC President To Speak At Chesapeake Forum, April 26

CHESAPEAKE
The Chesapeake Forum will present Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski on April 26, 2022 as part of its 2022 Speakers Season Program.

Dr. Hrabowski is the President of University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) since 1992. He is a graduate of Hampton University and University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. He holds honorary degrees from over 40 colleges and universities, and is also an author and motivational speaker.

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In 2012, he was named by Presi

dent Obama to chair the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans. He leads a university that has been recognized as a model for inclusive excellence by such publications as U.S. News, which the past 10 years has recognized UMBC as a national leader in academic innovation and undergraduate teaching.

Tickets are sold in advance and can be purchased at  www.thechesapeakeforum.org

Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski

Jennifer Lewis To Keynote HRCAP Community Awards

Program Honoring Eight, May 19

NEWPORT NEWS
The Hampton Roads Community Action Program will host its 2022 Community Builders Awards on May 19, 2022 at the Newport News Marriott City Center at 7:00 p.m. The cocktail reception is at 6:00 p.m. This year’s speaker is Jennifer Lewis, entertainer, author, and community activist.

The 2022 honorees are Antoine Bethea, former NFL player; James Gray, Vice Mayor, Hampton; Ronald Green, Virginia Port Authority; Delceno Miles, President/Owner, Miles Agency; Kevin Stevenson, CEO, PRA Group; Dr. Janice Underwood, former Chief, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Youth Leadership Awards will be given to Nyla Samantha Leon Holiday, Bruton High, Williamsburg,and Kalanu Anthony Corridon, Western Branch High, Chesapeake.

For more information and tickets, visit www.hrcapinc.org

Jennifer Lewis

Norfolk’s Cruise Season Opens With Promise As Ship Calls Accelerate

NORFOLK
More than 5,000 cruise ship passengers were in Norfolk recently as Nauticus welcomed its first back-to-back cruise calls since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The Peter G. Decker, Jr. Half Moone Center at Nauticus in downtown Norfolk is Virginia’s only cruise terminal. On Sunday, April 10, the 2,400-passenger Norwegian Gem made its maiden call to Norfolk. The following day on Monday, the Norwegian Getaway returned with its longest port visit so far.

  “It’s a very active few days for us and our season is only beginning,” said Nauticus executive director, Stephen E. Kirkland. “This spring is our busiest ever, with weekly ship traffic and Carnival’s return in May.”

Norwegian Cruise Line is the world’s third-largest cruise company and will call on Norfolk 25 times throughout 2022, marking the largest port-of-call commitment ever for Norfolk.

Scholarships For Norfolk, Portsmouth  Students

HAMPTON ROADS
High school students in Norfolk and Portsmouth are eligible to apply for The Elizabeth River Crossings Good Citizen Scholarship. Awards of $6,000 will be made to one graduating senior at each of the eight public high schools in the two cities, for their dedication to demonstrating good citizenship within their school and community.

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The $6,000 scholarship is dispersed in $1,500 annual increments across four years for any college, trade school or post-secondary institution expense, so long as the student can provide proof of enrollment each year.

An online application, along with two letters of recommendation, must be submitted before the Friday, May 6, 2022 deadline to be eligible for consideration.

For more information, please email Carley at CBrierre@ercopco.com or call (757) 793-0337.

HU Erases Spring Debt; No Increases For Fall

HAMPTON
Recognizing that many Hampton University students and their families have continued to experience financial hardships and have suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. William R. Harvey, Hampton University President, has announced there will be no increase in tuition, fees, room and board for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, all outstanding student account balances for the Spring 2022 semester will be erased.  

This is the latest example of Hampton University assisting its student body financially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.