NAC Hosts Black History Month & Scholarship Program

By George F. Reed, Ph.D.
Special to the
New Journal and Guide

NAC Save Our Youth Foundation, Inc. sponsored its Second Annual Clarence F. Nelson, Jr. Black History Month Achievement and Scholarship Program February 24, 2024, at the Wyndham Garden Hotel, Norfolk, Virginia. The foundation’s Black History Month Program was changed to the Clarence F. Nelson, Jr. Black History Month Achievement and Scholarship program, and structured to include the awarding of scholarships to both males and females.

Nelson was recognized for his outstanding achievement and contributions to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., and the community. This year nine $1,000 scholarships were awarded to two students from each of the five Norfolk public high schools except Lake Taylor where only one student applied. President Keith Chapman noted that Nelson was a 55-year financial and Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; Chaired the Black History program Planning committee for 19 years raising over a $125,000+ dollars; awarding over $125,000 in scholarships, and recognizing 300 plus youth for academic and community achievement. Nelson is an iconic figure in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and a recipient of the Fraternity’s second highest award, the Elder Watson Diggs Award for meritorious service.

The featured speaker for the program was U.S Army (Ret.) Major General Cedric T. Wins, the 15th superintendent of Virginia Military Institute, who in April 2021 became the first Black superintendent of VMI in the institution existence for 181 years. General Wins applauded the fact that he returned to his Alma Mater as superintendent as a testimony to the fact that it not where you start, but it is where your work and achievements lead you.

In keeping with the national Black History Month theme, “African-Americans and the Arts,” the program featured commentary and an art display by mixed media artist, Donald G. Wilson who has a notable collection on 13 notable Blacks, and a variety of paintings and sculpture.

Featured at the program was Norfolk (VA) Alumni Chapter award winning Kappa Instructional Leadership League (Youth Mentoring Program) members. The Kappa Leaguers won second place in Kappa International Headquarters competition for their video on “Get-Out the Vote” and third place for their flyer on the same. Courtney Jackson, director of the Kappa League plans meaningful experiences and field trips to prepare the 45 youth to succeed in school and life. One member, Montgomery Brown, was elected to serve on Kappa international Board of directors for the Kappa Instructional Leadership League.

Others contributing to the program included the Norfolk Sheriff Honor Guards, who presented the colors;  Derrick Paramore, Foundation financial secretary who led the Pledge of Allegiance; and LaVerne Wiggins Reed who sang the Negro National Anthem by A. Keith Chapman, Foundation president, Timothy lamb, Polemarch of Norfolk (VA) Alumni Chapter, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Joanne William-Reed,  director of Professional practice Education, Sentara Norfolk General, and Doreatha White, Ph.D., Director of organizational leadership, chief Strategy, Innovation, and Community Engagement Officer, were present to welcome the audience and give remarks.