April 28, 2012 - May 4, 2012, The Afro-American B1

Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick, the Army G-1 addresses Manpower Issues at the conference.

Maj. Kimberlee Short, Col. (Ret.) Terri Coles and Col. Seena Tucker

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Arthur Gregg and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Hawthorne Proctor

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Julius Becton, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Robert Nabors, Col. (Ret.) Alfred Elliott and Col. Conrado Morgan

Col. (Ret.) Brenda Crutchfield and Col (Ret.) Dorene Hunt

Gen. Ray Odierno, Chief of Staff, United States Army speaks at the ROCKS conference.

Brig. Gen. Barrye Price and Brig. Gen. Phillip Churn made presentations to the ROCKS attendees.

Active and retired generals who attended the ROCKS Conference.

Brig. Gen. Leslie Smith receives token of appreciation from Brig Gen (Ret.) Clara Adams-Ender.

THE ROCKS hosted their 2012 National Leadership and Training Conference at the Fort Belvoir, Va. Officer’s Club under the theme, “Mentoring Military Professionals for Global Leadership.” Members of the Army’s senior

leadership including the Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA), GEN Ray Odierno came out and briefed

the conferees on issues facing the Army in the 21st Century and its operational tempo going

forward…Transformation was the key word heard throughout all of the presentations. In conjunction with the conference, the 38th Annual Spring Gala and Awards Ceremony was held. THE ROCKS has over 1,000 members from the Armed Forces consisting of active duty, reserve, retired

and former commissioned officers. Their primary mission is to strengthen the United States Army Officer Corps. Brig Gen (Ret)Clara Adams-Ender is the outgoing chair and

Brig Gen (Ret) Earl Simms is the incoming chair; Col (Ret) Ray Bingham chaired the conference planning committee.

Photos by Rob Roberts

Photos by Rob Roberts

Seated: Henrietta Duncan, Paula Singleton and Patricia Plummer; standing: Shirley Rhones, Avis Watts, Shirley Evbuoma and Audrey Thurman

Carolyn Rand, Keil Sobers and Denise Hinton

Edgar Brookins, Dr. Valerie Maholmes, Natalie Rance, president, Howard University Alumni Chapter and Audrey Thurman

Joycelyn James and Angelique Brown, co-chair, Scholarship Committee with scholarship recipient (red dress) along emcee, Molette Green.

Natalie Rance presents the Global Community Award to C. Brian Williams, founder/CEO, Step Africa!; Felicia Davis looks on.

Dr. Valerie Maholmes presents the Support to the University Award to Dr. Howard Dodson; Jean Humphrey looks on.

Colorful Afro-centric fashion

Stepping out for a casual evening at the Bohemian Cavan.

The Howard University Alumni Club of Greater Washington, DC hosted an elegant Jazz Brunch and Fashion Show featuring couture designs from African and American designers at the Howard University Blackburn Center in Northwest, Washington, DC. Guests were asked to wear African-themed attire or the Pan-African colors of Red, Green, or Black. This jazz luncheon is the signature fundraising event and provides funding for scholarships to deserving underprivileged students. The alumni honored the Founders Library and C. Brian Williams, founder of Step Africa! for their support and achievements in the community. Thanks to Natalie Rance, chapter president and Jean Humphrey for guiding the team in presenting an afternoon of fellowship, networking and fun.

Photos by Rob Roberts

Phot

os b

y Ro

b Ro

bert

s

Brenda McRavin, Barbara Daniel, Gwendolyn and Joe Howze Sr.

Seated - Olivia S. Pilson, Merry Brinkley and Clara Gipson; standing - Al Brinkley and Francis Gipson Jr.

Seated: Rhonda Long, chapter second vice president; Antoinette Mann, chapter president; Cheron Burns, chapter first vice president and Fawn F. Coleman, NVDECS Foundation president; Standing: the Rev. Joseph A.C. Smith, the Rev. Dr. Leonard Hamlin Sr., Keitha V. Johnson, program emcee; the Rev. Gwendolyn Boyd, keynote speaker, the Rev. Dr. Harry James Pilson and the Rev. Asa Lee

Recognition of Rodney Louis, State Farm Agent by Gladys Fitzhugh-Pemberton and Carole Stephens, members of the fundraising committee.

Fawn Coleman, Foundation president and Antoinette Mann, chapter president present a scholarship to Eugene Coleman lll, his mother accepting for him.

Fawn Coleman and Antoinette Mann present a scholarship to Olivia Green; her mother accepts on her behalf.

The Greater Little Zion Baptist Church Praise Dancers perform to the gospel song, Changed.

Rev. Gwendolyn Boyd, 22nd National President, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, brings a powerful, inspirational message.

Fundraising committee members; Karen Jordan, Melodi Pemberton, Lynadria Ware, Dr. Deborah Freeman and Gladys Fitzhugh-Pemberton

The Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter (NoVAC), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Northern Virginia Delta Education and Community Service (NVDECS) Foundation hosted their Second Annual “Sisters Called to Service” Prayer Breakfast at the Waterford at Springfield. Christian comedienne and chapter member, Keitha V. served as the emcee and led the morning’s program that consisted of scripture readings, powerful musical presentations, a dance ministry and prayers by local pastors for the healing and grieving, for those in public service and for the nation. A highlight of the morning came with the presentation of scholarship recipients and parents. After an uplifting selection

by saxophonist Brian Lenair, the Rev. Gwendolyn Boyd brought a message of hope and thanksgiving that had the guests

clapping their hands, stomping their feet and echoing “Amens” to her every word…church service environment was in the room!

Fashionable hats, Women of Achievement and Public Service were themes of the 2nd Annual Capital City Links (CCCLinks) Women’s Recognition High Tea, held April 7, at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel. Outstanding women leaders were honored including Dr. Julianne Malveaux, immediate past president, Bennett College, North Carolina; philanthropist Marcella Jones, CEO/founder, Jones Foundation; CNN Anchor/Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux and Vivian W. Pinn, M.D., associate director for Research on Women’s Health, NIH (retired). J.C. Hayward, WUSA9 Television Anchor served as Mistress of Ceremonies. Claudia McKoin, president, CCCLinks said, “We are delighted to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of our distinguished honorees. Their work on behalf of the greater DC community is worthy of our acknowledgement and appreciation.” Organizers of the event were High Tea co-chairs Madeline Y. Lawson, Edna L. Moffitt and Camelia Mazard. Annie Whatley,

CCCLinks vice president presented scholarships from the chapter to Emmi Reeves, graduating senior, Dunbar High School and William Colella, graduate, Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Also attending were Dunbar High School students enrolled in ‘Evolutionary Women,’ the Capital City Links mentoring program and student artists from ArtReach, sponsored by the Corcoran Gallery and supported by CCCLinks.

Capital City Links members: Jane M. Brown; Inga Bumbary-Langston and Janet Randolph

Capital City Links Members: Kim Keenan; Altomease Kennedy; Grace Speights; Charise Y. Council; Trinita Brown and guest Link, Teresa Brown

“Evolutionary Women” Mentorship Program: Emmi Reeves; Constance Walker; Karen Guzman; Boanna Dyson; Nina Banks; Sara James; Ms. Rene’ Burroughs and Damika M. Reeves

Capital City Links members: Judith N. Batty; Janet B. Walker; Edna L. Moffitt; Dr. Julianne Malveaux, High Tea Honoree; Links Michelle V. Hagans and Annie Whatley, Chapter VP

Capital City Links Vice President Annie Whatley presents scholarship to William Colella, graduate, Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

Claudia McKoin, President, Capital City Links, scholarship recipient Emmi Reeves and Link Yvonne Williams

Madeline Lawson, High Tea Co-Chair, Emcee JC Hayward and High Tea Co-Chair Camilia Mazard

Seated: High Tea Honorees: Julianne Malveaux, PhD; Marcella Jones; Suzanne Malveaux and Vivian Pinn, MD. Standing - Edna L. Moffitt, High Tea Co-Chair; Emcee JC Hayward; Claudia McKoin, President. Capital City Links; Madeline Lawson, Co-Chair and Camilia Mazard