2024 Pearlific Derby Day Soiree Program Book

welcome From the President

Thank you for supporting the 5th Annual Pearlific Derby Soiree of the Virginia Beach Pearls Foundation! The Virginia Beach Pearls Foundation is the charitable collaborative partner of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Lambda Gamma Omega Chapter. We are a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation established on July 12, 2012, for the purpose of providing charitable, educational, and financial assistance to deserving individuals who are seeking higher education, to support local organizations through volunteer services and financial assistance annually, and to maintain lifelong partnerships with leading organizations that have common programs.

The foundation has provided funding to community agencies such as the American Heart Association (AHA), American Kidney Foundation, American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, Davita Kidney Care, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the American Alzheimer’s Association, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, the Samaritan House, and the Judeo Christian Outreach Center.

One of the many educational initiatives that will be funded by the Virginia Beach Pearls Foundation is the Youth Leadership Institute (YLI). This program is geared toward promoting healthy independence and personal empowerment to youth ages 11-13. The Youth Leadership Institute seeks to bring together a group of young people who will be equipped with the tools necessary to promote leadership skills, encourage awareness of financial planning, and foster real life application of strategies for a successful future. Additionally, youth participating in this program are encouraged to create, organize, and successfully complete an environmental project. This program will be held monthly between September and June.

Your attendance at today’s Pearlific Derby Soiree demonstrates your commitment to supporting the mission of the Virginia Beach Pearls Foundation and enables us to offer scholarships, mentorship, and financial assistance to our community partners. Your support can change lives and help us achieve our shared goals. Together, we can create a brighter future for the Hampton Roads Community.

Ramona D. Taylor

Ramona D. Taylor President/CEO,

Virginia Beach Pearls

VBPFPRESIDENT@GMAIL.COM

Foundation

We are pleased to have you as a part of our annual “Pearlific Derby Soirée!” As a member of a family from Louisville I can attest that, the Kentucky Derby is rooted in our culture as a sophisticated experience that captures the world. Louisville Kentucky hosts thousands of the world’s finest equestrian enthusiasts, as they descend on the city in fine fashion for the “greatest two minutes in sports”.

There is no need to travel to Louisville Kentucky to experience this occasion. The Virginia Beach Pearls Foundation, a 501(c)3, has brought the “greatest two minutes in sports” to Hampton Roads, Virginia. We are indeed world-class, and you will surely feel welcome as we host one of the most sophisticated sporting events in the region!

In traditional Derby attire, the ladies are dressed in festive hats and brightly colored sundresses, the gentlemen in polished suits, Seersucker suits, and bowies. Expect to be hosted in ‘high cotton!’ There will be plenty of succulent hors d’oeuvres, Mint Juleps, Burbon, and signature cocktails to be enjoyed by all. There will also be games, raffles, contests, and other surprises for our guests to participate in. The running horses will be on screens throughout the venue for your viewing pleasure.

We give you a heartfelt “thank you” for your support! The proceeds and your donations will help sustain our annual college scholarships, and our community service projects in the city of Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads region. With your support, we will continue to encourage, mentor, and positively impact our youth… our future.

welcome From the Chairman Dr. Tanja Arrington Mayfield

Dr. Tanja Arrington-Mayfield Chairman, 2024 Pearlific Derby Soirée

DERBY HOST

Aesia Toliver

is a 2x Emmy Award Winning Morning and Midday anchor/reporter for WAVY TV 10. WAVY TV’s morning show was recently awarded the “Best Television Morning Show” in 2023 by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters. Aesia has reported and guided the community through several major events in Hampton Roads, including two mass shootings, multiple hurricanes, and high-profile murder investigations.

For the past two years, Aesia has combined her journalism skills and love of animals to be the spokesperson for WAVY TV’s Clear the Shelters Campaign, with the goal of getting shelter animals into their forever homes. Prior to coming to Hampton Roads in 2018, Aesia was a multimedia journalist for 14 News in Evansville, Indiana. Aesia was born and raised in Palmyra, Virginia and graduated from Ohio University’s E.W Scripps School of Journalism. While at Ohio University, Aesia interned with NBC Universal in New York City in their Diversity Fellowship Program. During her time there, she also reported at the student run WOUB station.

When she wasn’t reporting, she was sprinting on the Women’s Track and Field team.After graduation, Aesia joined the NBC Sport’s crew as a Production Assistant for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Aesia is excited to be back in her home state reporting and looks forward to spending time on the beach.

LOCATIONThe Signet Center

884 BELLS MILL RD

CHESAPEAKE, VA 23322

The Mount is pleased to present The Signet Center. The new center is a state-of-the-art, sparkling space in Chesapeake serving the entire Hampton Roads area and beyond. We are thrilled you are considering our venue to host your next special moment and are excited to make this experience one to remember.

The Signet Center is the venue that can provide everything you need to turn your special day into an unforgettable experience. From your engagement party to the bridal shower, rehearsal dinner and even the big day, we look forward to making your dreams come true.

Whether you need a space to work or a space to play, the flexibility of The Signet Center makes it the perfect venue for all types of organizational events. And keep in mind, we have plenty of free on-site parking.

sponsor Corporate

Headquartered in Norfolk with satellite offices in Hampton, Newport News and Portsmouth. Rice & Gregg (R&G), is a firm that is dedicated to meeting all of your family’s needs. Our firm specializes in all aspects of family law, including but not limited to, custody and visitation, child support, and divorce.

As former prosecutors and public defenders, the lawyers of R&G are well versed in criminal and traffic law. Let us put our experience to work for you to protect your freedom and preserve your family.

The partners of Rice & Gregg (R&G) met during their various years in public service. As former prosecutors and public defenders, they, in their respective roles, fought to protect the rights of victims and those charged with criminal offenses. When they formed R&G they committed to put their years of experience to work, protecting the rights of their clients and fighting for families.

sponsor Corporate | FRA KEMPSVILLE

We have come together in support of the good work The Virginia Beach Pearls Foundation has done, and will continue to do. Our hope is that your efforts will impact the local community and the next generation of home buyers and military personnel in ways we never thought possible.

Congratulations on another successful event!

table sponsors

DR. ANGELA REDDIX

ARDX® Founder & CEO

TEDx Speaker and Author

JANICE JOHNSON

ANNE PARKER

JANELLE WILSON

Designed by J Graphic and Interior Design

FELECIA OLIVER

MARY SMITH

RAMONA TAYLOR TANISHA ANDREWS

vendors

The Kentucky Derby is an American Grade I stakes race run at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race is run by three-year-old Thoroughbreds at a distance of 1+1⁄4 miles (10 furlongs; 2,012 metres). Held annually on the first Saturday in May, the race is the first leg of the Triple Crown. The Derby is known as "The Run for the Roses", as the winning horse is draped in a blanket of roses. Lasting approximately two minutes, the race has also been called "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" or "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports". It is preceded by the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival.

The race was first run in 1875. Unlike the other races of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, the Kentucky Derby, along with its sibling race, the Ken tucky Oaks, has been run annually since its first edition. They were twice rescheduled within the same year, the first time due to World War II in 1945, and the due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Further, the Derby and the Oaks are the oldest continuously held major sporting events in the US, as well as the oldest thoroughbred stakes races held in the same location since their begin ning. The Derby is the most-watched and most-attended horse race in the United States. The 2024 Kentucky Derby marks the 150th running of the race.

traditions

MINT JULEP

½ oz. Simple Syrup

Crushed Ice

Kentucky Bourbon

3 Fresh Mint Leaves

Crush the mint inside the glass. Add crushed ice, syrup and bourbon

Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

ROSES IN THE WINNER’S GARLAND

HOT BROWN

mornay sauce

2 tablespoons butter, unsalted

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

1 cup whole milk

½ cup medium cheddar cheese, shredded

½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

¼ cup fontina cheese, shredded

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon dry mustard

salt and pepper to taste

4 slices sourdough bread, lightly toasted

1 pound roasted turkey breast, thinly sliced

6 rashers bacon, cooked and crumbled black pepper to taste

Preheat broiler on high. For mornay sauce: Place butter into a small sauce pan and melt over medium heat. Sprinkle flour over butter and whisk together. Continue to whisk for 2 to 3 minutes, to cook out the raw flour taste. While whisking add the milk until fully incorporated, ensuring no lumps have formed. Using a wooden spoon stir in the cheese until well blended followed be the remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside until ready to use. Place sourdough slices onto a baking sheet and top each with 4 ounces of turkey. Top each sandwich with a generous ladle of mornay sauce and top with a sprinkle of bacon (you can serve now if you wish). Place the baking sheet in the oven and broil each sandwich for 1-2 minutes. Top with freshly cracked black pepper and serve. https://www.spoonforkbacon.com/hot-brown/

SOLID GOLD TROPHY

boardFoundation Members

RAMONA TAYLOR, PRESIDENT/CEO

JANELLE WILSON, VICE PRESIDENT

Phyllis Razeeq, Secretary

Yonna Billingsley, Treasurer

Jacqueline Wilson, Financial Secretary

D’borah Bunn, Parlimentarian

Tiffanny Putman, Historian

Avery Jennings, Chaplain

Tanja Arrington-Mayfield, Ex-officio

Ashley Woodous, Ex-officio

Glena-Lee Mackey, Ex-officio

Melissa Bedford

Paula Ford-Falu

Tierra Gammage

Patrice Holloman Berkley

Janice Johnson

Briana Kellam

Lakela Lofton

Maerine Mitchell

Anne Parker

Mary Smith

Trena Williams Smith

committeeMembers

TANJA ARRINGTON-MAYFIELD, CHAIR

CARLA BAILEY, CO-CHAIR

Shavonne Agee

Tanisha Andrews

Kara Arrington

Kelli Bailey

Melissa Bedford

Yonna Billingsley

Tiffany Byers

Paula Ford-Falu

Jenay Garrett

Rosalyn Garrett

Jenine Harland

Avery Jennings

Briana Kellam

Glena-Lee Mackey

Stacy Mitchell

Cindy Philpot

Jackie Wilson

Janelle Wilson

Patrice Holloman Berkley

D’borah Bunn

Felecia Burwick

Sade Calhoun

Tracy Davis

Ariel DeGree

Torri Edwards

Keshia Eley

Sibena Harris

Celia Henderson Hughes

Kimberly Johnson

Sheila Johnson

Lakela Lofton

Jacqueline Meagher

Larenda Miller

Marilyn Morrison

Felecia Oliver

Phyllis Razeeq

Shanail Romane

Mary Smith

Sierra Smith

Teloria Sutton

Dannetta Townsend

Jonna Turner

Andrea Vincent

Treavce Whitmore

Marquetta White

Tonya Whitehurst

Jasmine Wilson

Ashley Woodous

HILTON GARDEN INN

1565 Crossways Blvd

Chesapeake, VA 23320

757-420-2515

FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT ALOFT

1454 Crossways Blvd

Chesapeake, VA 23320

757-410-9562

1560 Crossways Blvd

Chesapeake, VA 23320

757-420-1300

CONTACT FOR PRICING DETAILS