June 23, 2012 - June 29, 2012, The Afro-American B1

The Interdenominational Church Ushers Association of Maryland (ICUA) hosted a recognition banquet in early May at The Forum hall in Baltimore. The group honored six people for his/her dedication and numerous years of committed service. The honorees included: the Rev. Marcus G. Wood, Usher Johnnie Brown, Jessie Brown, Mary McClenon, Agnes Chambers and M. Helena Harris. The ICUA of Maryland is an interfaith Christian organization affiliated with the National United Church Ushers’ Association and the Eastern Region Ushers’ Association.

Photos by Bill Tabron

Bessie Wood, Jeanetta James, Shirley Parker and William Davis

David Fuller, Board Chair of the ICUA

Honoree Mary M. McClenon

Honoree Johnnie W. Brown, Sr.

Honoree the Rev. Marcus Garvey Wood

Honoree Agnes L. Chambers

Honoree Mary Hellena Harris

Marguerite Kirkland, State President of the ICUA

Tonia, Pamela and Nellie Carrington and Thomacine Baskerville

The Rev. Doctor Douglass E. Summers, Pastor of Providence Baptist Church and Gerald A. Hill, Sr., Baltimore Unit President of the ICUA

The Baltimore Child Abuse Center (BCAC) held its first Annual Meeting on June 7 at 8:30 a.m. at the YMCA of Central Maryland. As it embarks on its 25th year, the event provided the organization an opportunity to celebrate its successes and look forward to its future, while recognizing its Board members, supporters, donors, volunteers and community partners. BCAC congratulated and thanked its out-going Board members, Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld, III, Dean Brewer, Dr. Paulette Burgess, Amanda Conn, Alan Fink, Tracee Fruman, and Matthew Neuberger and welcomed its newest Board members Melissa Coffey, Laura Crovo, Barry Flaks, Tom Kurowski, Tom Lowe, Jennifer Sachs and Nancy Young. BCAC also honored Patricia Jessamy, Esq. and Stuart Simms, Esq. by presenting them with the first Founder’s Award. Their leadership, passion and vision for a better child welfare system set the stage for BCAC’s current successes. Jayne Miller, Chief Investigative Reporter WBAL TV I-Team, was the keynote speaker.

Executive director Adam Rosenberg, keynote speaker Jayne Miller and event chair Liz Ritter

Rev. Jerome Stephens

Adam Rosenberg, Pat Jessamy, Peggy Mainor, Stuart Simms and Cathy Schuster Pascale - President Board of Directors

Board member Diane W. Hocker and past board President Pat Jessamy

Dean Brewer

Alan Fink

Tracee Fruman

Guests

Photos by Anderson Ward

More than 650 persons stormed the Martin’s banquet hall to sample the delectable, delicious, scrumptious and luscious dishes prepared by distinguished male chefs of Baltimore, who ranged in and age from teens to senior citizens.

After the parade of chefs, the curious and hungry guests, who had already waited anxiously, were able to stroll from station to station to ignite and bring satiety to their taste buds from an exciting and myriad array of savory dishes from unusual appetizers to exquisite “down home” entries topped off by the tasty and popular Bahama Mamas.

Expressions of “great, appetizing and tasty“ were heard through the hall from happy and pleased attendees who were also able to chat briefly with the chefs.

Prizes were presented to one lucky winner for the 50/50 raffle, and additional prizes were awarded for those who purchased chances.

Sponsored by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, the Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter, Gourmet Men of Distinction (Men Who Cook) is one of the most popular activities held in the Baltimore area.

The Coalition supports programs geared toward personal, professional and educational development for minority women at all stages of life.

Photos by A. Lois De Laine, Ed.D.

Mildred Harper samples shrimp and grits from Chef Damon Hughes

Chef Damien Pulley

Chef Charles Pratt serves up his “Something Good” dish

Bert Hash tries Chef Damon Murphy’s Desserts by Marcel

Chef Val Emery waits to get a nod from Doretha Harvey

Chef Kevin Wilmer pleases a customer with his “Seafood Tortellini”.

Chef Zachary Armstrong stands proudly behind his Wedding Cake with fresh fruit.

Chef Jim Roberts

Chef Stacey Fowles

Chef Richard Lane serves his dish, “Rick’s Surprise”.

June 23, 2012 - June 29, 2012, The Afro-American B1

recognitions included Community Service Awards to Rodney Louis, State Farm Insurance agent and Psi Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.

Ronda Long, 2nd VP, NoVAC; Reginald Parker, Vice-Basileus and Markus Gaines, Keeper of Finance, both of Psi Nu Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. receiving chapter award; Antoinette Mann, President, NoVAC, and Cheron Burns, 1st VP, NoVAC, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Miss Jabberwock winners; Marshae Danielle Dodson, 3rd place; LaTarryl Renae Hall, 1st place and Jasmine Griffin, 2nd place

Escorts for Jabberwock 2012

Joe Howze, Sr., Gwen Howze, Army Lt. Col. Priscilla Smalls and Edgar Brookins, AFRO-American Newspaper

2012 Jabberwock participants

Aaliyah Myers, Best Journal, Miss Jabberwock; Jayla Muse, Best Journal, Little Miss Jabberwock; Marshae Dobson, Best Attendance, Miss Jabberwock; Alem Bryant, Miss Congeniality, Miss Jabberwock; and Destinee Stoner, Miss Congeniality, Little Miss Congeniality

(Left to Right) Cynthia Brown, Mistress of Ceremonies, Chasiti Dawson and Pamela Perkins, Co-Chairs, Jabberwock Program

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The Washington D.C. (WDC) Chapter of the Continentals joined students at the Langdon Education Center in the Northeast section of the District for an entertaining May Day celebration. More than 450 students participated in the event which included a parade, a tribute to performing “divas” Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight. The students, ranging from pre-K

Langdon Elementary School teachers and staff

Members of the Continentals: Venida Hamilton; Joyce Pascal-Kilgore; Essie Page, president and Vikki Beason

Margo Briggs, Viola Mclver, Perea Blackmon, Teacher of the Year and Ethel Lawhon

Langdon Elementary School Dance Troupe

Jr. Mr. & Miss Langdon: (back seat) - Devon Abrams and Sebek Mappand; (front seat), Makenna Clark

We are marching to “Midnight Train to Georgia”.

May Day Pole Dance by 6th graders.

Langdon Elementary School principal (far right) giving out directions.

Pre-Schoolers dance to the song, “Rock Steady.”

Photos by Rob Roberts

By Shari L. McCoySpecial to the Afro

On June 2, 2012, the 2012 Jurisdictional Scholarship Awards program was held at the Prince Hall Center for the Performing Arts in D.C. This annual event is sponsored by the Prince Hall Freemason and Eastern Star Charitable Foundation (PHFESCF), in conjunction with the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliation of the District of Columbia and the Georgiana Thomas Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation of the District of Columbia. This year, $65,000 was awarded to graduating seniors or continuing students in the Washington Metropolitan area. Scholarship chair Kelli J. McCoy-Burkett, VP of the PHFESCF, and her committee selected approximately 70 deserving students with grade point averages ranging from 3.0 – 4.0. Scholarship recipient

Tobias Whitley, a student at Johnson C. Smith University, spoke on behalf of the awardees and urged fellow students to reach for the stars and thank their parents. Nia Dobbs, a graduating senior at Hannah More High School, sang “The Greatest Love of All.” The event was attended by family and friends of

the scholarship recipients, as well as members of the Prince Hall Masonic family. Since the inception of the scholarship program in 1957, this Masonic organization has awarded over 50 million dollars in scholarships.

Scholarship recipients with The Most Worshipful Grand Master MacKinnon W. Myers, Grand Worthy Matron G. Delores Ellerbe, Grand Worthy Patron Quincy G. Gant, Foundation President George C. Lacy, and Foundation Vice President Kelli J. McCoy-Burkett.

Foundation President George C. Lacy. Grand Worthy Patron Quincy G. Gant, Grand Worthy Matron G, Delores Ellerbe, Past Grand Worthy Matron Ada A. Whitley, Scholarship Recipient Whitley, Most Worshipful Grand Master MacKinnon W. Myers, Deputy Grand Master John T. Doles. Mistress of Ceremonies Shari L. McCoy at microphone

Most Worshipful Grand Master MacKinnon W. Myers pictured with scholarship recipients Elizabeth McNeil and Nevaeh McNeil.

Electa Chapter #6’s Worthy Matron Shari L. McCoy, Grant Worthy Patron Quincy G. Gant, Grand Worthy Matron G. Delores Ellerbe, Electa Chapter #6’s  Scholarship Recipient Najee Ellerbe, Most Worshipful Grand  Master MacKinnon W. Myers, Foundation President George C. Lacy, and Foundation Vice President Kelli J. McCoy-Burkett

Students, family and friends during the awards program.

A U.S. Navy SEAL returned to his hometown of Silver Spring, Md. on May 19th to motivate thirty-eight Sports Academy students to cross the finish line at their first SEAL Fitness Challenge. The one-day, free community event was hosted by Montgomery County Recreation at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreational Park and Swim Center. Participants applied mental toughness and compared their capabilities to the SEAL’s physical standards in swimming, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and running. Montgomery Blair High School swept the SEAL Fitness Challenge, with Nebiyu Fitta, Elias Yishak, and Kalabe Arefeayne earning the top three scores. The U.S. Navy SEALs are working with community-based organizations, such as the Sports Academy, as part of their SEAL Brotherhood initiative to provide positive role models and character development to young men. To learn more about the initiative, visit www.SEALBrotherhood.com.

The first wave pushes off in their 500-yard swim, one of five exercises in the SEAL Fitness Challenge.

Elias Yishak determined to do the most pull-ups he can - he completed 21 pull-ups.

Students in starting position to achieve the SEAL standard, completing 100 or more push-ups in 2 minutes.

Participants begin the final leg, a timed 1.5-mile run, of the SEAL Fitness Challenge.

Montgomery Blair High School students congratulate each other after learning they took the award for overall top performing school in the SEAL Fitness Challenge.

U.S. Navy SEAL Senior Chief Joseph Jones hosts the awards ceremony.

Sports Academy students celebrate completion of the SEAL Fitness Challenge with their instructors and the U.S. Navy SEALs.

Courtesy Photos

Courtesy Photos

to eight grades, sang songs by the iconic singers and performed their own dance routines. Continental

president, Essie Page serves as the parade’s Grand Marshall. The WDC Continentals have partnered with Langdon since 2008 and have volunteered with the school throughout the year

providing dental screenings and cultural activities.

Plus, over 200 new books were given to individual students and classrooms. Continental Societies, Inc., is an international public

service organization which has been dedicated to the socioeconomic and cultural welfare of underprivileged children and youth since 1956.

Erica Juliet Wilson, 3rd place, Little Miss Jabberwock; Jayla L. Muse, 1st Place, Little Miss Jabberwock and Kaylah Tania Strother, 2nd place Little Miss Jabberwock

The Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter (NoVAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Northern Virginia Delta Education and Community Service Foundation(NVDECS) presented Jabberwock 2012, An Afternoon of Enchantment on June 3, 2012 at the Waterford in Springfield, Va. Five Little Miss Jabberwocks and fifteen Miss Jabberwock participants vied for the coveted crown of Miss Jabberwock 2012 in their respective categories. While the competition was keen and spirited, the Little Miss Jabberwock top three were: Jayla Muse, first place, Kaylah Strother, second place and Erica Wilson, third place and the Miss Jabberwock top three were: LaTarryl Hall, first place, Jasmine Griffin, second place and Marshae Dobson, third place. Other special