August 23, 2014 - August 29, 2014, The Afro-American
B1
Felicia Murphy-Phillips and Edgar Brookins
Emcees Michael E. Cryor and Dr. OluwaTosin Adegbola
Jake Oliver, publisher/CEO AFRO-American newspaper, George Murphy III, Benjamin Murphy Phillips IV, president, AFRO -American newspaper and Lori Murphy Lee
On Aug. 15, the AFRO celebrated its 122-year anniversary with a black tie-optional gala at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in downtown Baltimore. On Aug. 13, 1892, John Henry Murphy Sr., a former slave who gained freedom following the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, built the AFRO when he combined his church publication, The Sunday School Helper with two other church publications, The Ledger and The Afro-American. By 1922, the newspaper had evolved from a one-page weekly church publication into the most widely circulated Black paper along the coastal Atlantic. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Freedom Summer, the African-American voter equality campaign that launched in Mississippi in June 1964. The AFRO, during its gala, paid tribute to the patriots of this movement including some of the AFRO’s own reporters and photographers. The newspaper also honored a particular group of people who played an integral role in establishing its legacy – AFRO paperboys and papergirls.
Tiffany Jones, Kisja Brown, Caryn York
Alan Maddox, Jeanne Toungara and Priscilla Chatman
Owen and Barbara Lee
Beverly Cooper, John Carter, Brenda Blount, Beverly Carter
Patricia Roberts, Sara Smalley and Landa McLaurin, president of the Baltimore Metropolitan Chapter of the National Coalition 100 Black Women
Erica F. Cryor and Edith GreeneJohnson
Dale Berry and Beverly Richards
Oscar Boulware and Rev. Dorothy Boulware, editor, AFRO American newspaper
Diane W. Hocker, AFRO Director, Community & Public Relations, Denise Dorsey, AFRO production manager and Dr.OluwaTosin Adegbola
Calvin Butler Jr., CEO, BGE, and wife, Sharon
Rev. Dr. Richard Adams
LaTrina Antoine, AFRO D.C. editor and Kimberleigh De Laine
Reginald Exum, Cheryl Leigh
David and Yvonne Rhone
Chief Judge Robert M. Bell (Ret.), Michael Cryor, Judge Marcella Holland
Ja-Zette Marshburn, AFRO archivist and Nasja Frazier-Griffin, AFRO intern
B2
The Afro-American, August 23, 2014 - August 29, 2014
T The Winners: Kylee Johnson, Miss Black USA Talented Teen 2014; Taylor Nicole Hunt, the current Miss Black USA Princess and Miss Black USA Talented Teen Jr., Kennedy Byrd
he University of the District of Columbia’s (UDC) Arts Theatre served as the official host site for the 2014 Miss Black USA Pageant Finals on Aug. 10. UDC President Dr. James Lyons gave the welcoming remarks as 24 young ladies began their final journey competing for the coveted crown. After showcasing their confidence, selfesteem and poise in the categories of health and fitness, talent, evening wear and a question and answer session, a group of illustrious judges was given the task of naming a winner. Once the scores had been tallied, Miss Black Colorado, Jasmine Mone’ Alexander was crowned Miss Black USA 2014. Runner ups were: First place – Garbrielle Lewis,
Miss Black Tennessee; Second place – Jasmine Johnson, Miss Black California; Third place – Terra Strong, Miss Black Ohio and Fourth place – Alexandra Morton, Miss Black Washington. In addition, Kylee Johnson was crowned Miss Black USA Talented Teen and Kennedy Byrd was crowned Miss Black USA Junior Teen. While in the city, the ladies toured the White House and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The Miss Black USA Pageant and Scholarship Foundation under the leadership of its founder and president, Karen Arrington, seeks to promote a woman’s mind, body and spirit and provide scholarship opportunities for young women of color.
The queen and runners-up: Alexandra Morton, Jasmine Johnson, Jasmine Alexander, center, Miss Black USA; Gabrielle Lewis and Terra Strong Photos by Rob Roberts
Talented Teens in evening gowns with awards and trophies Jasmine Alexander, Miss Black Colorado being crowned and sashed up as the 2014 Miss Black USA...congratulations
Singer Pearis Joyner entertains the ladies
We are cheering and happy to be here... the journey begins
Ebony Andrews, Miss Black District of Columbia receives the Peoples Choice Award
AFRO D.C. Editor LaTrina Antoine, center, with several contestants
Evening gown competition; Miss Black Ohio, Terra Strong
Amanda McCoy, Miss Black USA 2013 performs her winning monologue from 2013
Miss Black Massachusetts, Kamisha Lavture; Miss Black Michigan, Angel Mills and Miss Black District of Columbia, Ebony Andrews
Miss Black Mississippi, Denise Powell; Miss Black North Carolina, Yasten Burton and Miss Black Indiana, Jasmine Lancaster
Kennedy Byrd, Junior Teen ccontestant, shows her acrobatic skills These young ladies are vying for the coveted crown of Miss Black USA 2014
The emcee.... Miss Black USA 2011, Ocielia Gibson
Selena Watkins, Miss Black USA 2012...emcee for the Talented Teen competition
Judges for Miss Black USA competition: Shannon Cross, DeAngelo Redman, Deya Smith and Lanre Idewu Miss Black Calif., Jasmine Johnson performs during the talent competition Miss Black USA Talented Teen Judges: Wendy Pittman, Kim Roxie, Gabrielle Jordan and Osas Ighodaro
Talented Teen contestants waiting to go on stage for the talent category
Edgar Brookins, D.C. AFRO general manager with Dr. James Lyons, president, University of the District of Columbia
Guests at the reception: Lynn Curris and Shelley Witherspoon
Miss Black USA 2014, Jasmine Alexander with family members and friends The opening dance routine of the Talented Teens
Miss Black USA contestants’ opening dance routine
Natasha Stovall, director of partnerships; MBUSA Pageant and Jessica Coleman, social worker at DC Public Charter Schools
These ladies were the official hosts for the reception: Yvette “Silver Fox” Johnson, Carita Parks, Liz Adams, Diamond Girls Production, reception sponsor and Sharon Foster
B2
The Afro-American, August 23, 2014 - August 29, 2014
Chester Carlos Kay was surprised with a party, July 19, in celebration of his 50th birthday. The crowd at the Baltimore Rowing Club included friends and most of the Kay clan who always know how to have a good time. His wife, Denise and three daughters, Lauren, Erin and Camryn, kept the fun going along with his mother, Rev. Cora Kay Jones and sisters, Corliss Billups and Cathy Kay.
Courtney Sturdivant and Chester
Elder Keisha Jones and her uncle, Chester
Chester Carlos Kay and his dad, Chester Kay Chrissy Bartee, Chester, Renee Garnes get busy on the dance floor
Chester and his daughters, Erin, Camryn, and Lauren Kay
Anita Stevens and Erica McNeill
Chester Kay, Sonja Boyd, Keisha Jones, Milton Garnes, Cathy Kay
K’Shawn Mulrain, Jahmeece Chase, DJ- Curtis Strong
Cathy Kay, Chester’s sister, and her daughter, Chrissy Bartee
Jackie Jackson, Renee Garnes, Sonja Boyd
Andre and Avis Singletary
Rev. Cora Jones and her granddaughter, Camryn Kay
Anita Stevens, Denise Kay, Chester’s wife; Monica Anthony
Belinda Priester
Rev. Jones and her granddaughter, Chrissy Bartee
Ericka and Wilton Pabon Corliss Billips, Chester’s sister, and her daughter, Keisha Jones
Joe Jackson and Crystal Jackson
Craig Jones, Terry Ferguson, Shay Jones, Whitney, Belinda Preister, Mia Wilkes Howard Winchester-Bey, Mary King, Melvin King, Antwann McNeill, William Anthony Chester with his sister, Corliss Billips and his mother, Cora Jones Courtesy Photos