The Legend of Carneice Brown White Speech This speech was written to tribute my friend and soror Mrs. Carneice Brown White. The study of Greek mythology provides a multitude of seemingly all powerful gods and goddesses who possess a myriad of unearthly virtue, strength, intelligence and wisdom; heroes of epic proportions. But no matter how gargantuan these gods and goddesses proved to be, how mighty their strength, or great their prowess they had nothing on Mrs. Carniece BrownWhite. I often pondered if THEE Mrs. Carneice Brown White was part goddess in a human form, sent to improve Mother Earth, because it seemed that in her 40 years of educating, 8 decades of encouraging, 4 scores of loving and lifting up, and dedicated lifetime of service, there was nothing she couldn’t do. The magic of Mrs. Carneice Brown White was of such epic proportions that the only reasonable explanation seemed to be that she was of mythological origins. She was an AllAmerican author, culinary connoisseur, transformative teacher, devastating diva of Delta Sigma Theta, heartfelt humanitarian and mesmerizing muse. She made conquering the world, in style, look easy. Surely, a mere mortal could not possess all of the most desirable human traits: beauty, brains, integrity, courage, commitment, kindness, confidence, discipline, generosity and humility. All in one person, it just didn’t seem fair. I’d like to think that when God was passing out a pinch of “something special,” he accidently spilled over the entire box into Mrs. White, because she was just too dynamic to be mere mortal. I met Mrs. White during what was a very routine holiday activity almost four years ago. Annually, the Denver Deltas provide thousands of holiday cards to older members unable make the monthly trek to sorority meeting. It is a kind gesture to show appreciation during the holidays. This year in particular, I decided to deliver a bag of handwritten cards to an unknown Carneice Brown White, being that her living facility was very close to my home. During that initial meeting, I introduced and told her a little about myself, to include that I crossed into Delta in 2008 and some other pleasantries. She smiled, accepted our sorority gift, leaned in and with a twinkle in her eye, stated: “I pledged in 1948.” I guess she was trying to one up me (SMILE). We chatted a bit longer and I went on my way. Weeks and even months went by with no contact. But there was something about Mrs. Carneice: perhaps it was her bright, gracious eyes, kind demeanor, or gentle spirit, that compelled me back to her. The next four years would open for a very gratifying friendship. My bimonthly visits to 102 Heather Gardens consisted of a general framework: I’d take her dinner, usually Boston Market or, once she got comfortable enough to make “special requests” a 2piece from Popeye’s, coke and rice and beans with no rice. I also have to give my mother, Debra, a lot of credit, as she would support my efforts by buying and preparing meals to take to Mrs. White.
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