Welcome to the 25th Red Diamond Gala! Richland County Alumnae (RCA) celebrates 31 years of Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service and Social Action and Fortitude Foundation (FF) celebrates 15 years of Transforming Lives and Impacting Communities. We are excited to host this amazing evening and express appreciation for your generous support. As a result of your contributions and sponsorships, we have been able to award over $400,000 in scholarships and funding for diverse community programs. We are proud to invest in the future by helping promising young men and women better realize a higher education. Our partnership continues to embody an example of making a difference through commitment and service for the greater good in Richland, Lexington, Fairfield and Newberry counties.
The dedication and hard work of the planning committees are to be commended for their tireless efforts. We also applaud you for being a part of the "village". On behalf of the members of RCA and the Board of Directors of FF, we thank you for joining us in your elegant and sophisticated attire as we provide 'Dollars for Scholars'. We hope you enjoy tonight's event and all that we have planned for you!
Yours in service,
Cheryl Nunnley
Cheryl Nunnley
Fortitude Foundation, Chair
Lavell R. Thornton
Lavell R. Thornton Chapter President
ChapterHistory
Richland County Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
On April 24, 1994, in Columbia, South Carolina under the direction of past South Atlantic Regional Director, Nettie Faulcon, 44 women chartered the Richland County Alumnae Chapter (RCA) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated RCA became the second chapter in the Columbia Metropolitan area and the 867th chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
From day one, the chapter immediately took its place as a community leader. The chapter’s first community service projects were the Diabetes Walk-aThon, Habitat for Humanity, and the Carolina Children’s Home Christmas Project. The chapter members also quickly established a community footprint through participation in community events such as Relay for Life, voter registration drives, and American Red Cross Blood drives. In 1995, the chapter gave away its first scholarship totaling $500 to provide more scholarships by holding its annual Scholarship Gala and Little Miss Red and White Pageant.
Today, the chapter hosts an annual Red Diamond Scholarship Gala and Jabberwock that helps the chapter to award $30,000 in scholarships annually to deserving high school seniors; to date, the chapter has awarded over $400,000 in scholarships! Other signature events include the Black Woman and Girls Conference and the Red Dress Luncheon Our community service outreach is the cornerstone of our mission.
Since its humble beginnings, RCA has initiated four lines of phenomenal women. These dynamic groups of professional women have helped RCA's goal: to be trailblazers who lead causes for social justice, community involvement, economic development, and women’s empowerment.
The Richland County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated is an organization of college educated women who seek to uphold the high ideals of our sorority while proudly accepting opportunities to be of service to their community. The chapter has grown from 44 charter members in 1994 to over 350 members today, but its mission remains the same; RCA is “A Sisterhood Answering the Call to Serve: Transforming Lives and Impacting Communities.”
President
Lavell R. Thornton
1st Vice President
DeVonne Smalls
2nd Vice President
Tracey Mobley Chavous
Treasurer
Candice Haigler
Financial Secretary
Cheryl Wilson
Assistant Financial Secretary
Tiffany Riggs
Recording Secretary
Wykeisha Lewis
Red Diamond Gala
Dr. Andress Carter Sims, Chair
Tashia Myers, Co-Chair Ormica Thomas, Co-Chair
Red Diamond Gala COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Natasha Barron Taylor
Cynthia Bennett
Sonia Blyther
Angenitta Bounds
Ashley Coleman
Tammie Coleman Epps
Jennifer Clyburn Reed
Peggy Crowell
ZeNata Donaldson
Melissa Felder
Rosalyn Glenn
Vanessa Green
Audrey Harris
Mamie Hayes Hartwell
Felicia Heath
Tara Holmon
Shanna Hook
Brenda House
Marie Jackson
Tonisha Jacobs
Joyce Johnson
Angela Jones
Yolanda Kennedy
Wykeisha Lewis
Cheryl Mack Thompson
Nakell Matthews
Jennifer Patterson McClary
Kiesha Moore
Toya Murph
Vanessa Nelson Reed
Wanda Oliver
Kiera O’Shea
Monica Owens
Tiffany Palmer
Sharon Parker
Nikita Pete
Tiffany Phillips
Tiffany Riggs
Layla Sewell
Lucina Smith Brooks
Tonisha Vanderhorst
Trina Walker
Patricia Williams
Stacie Williams Moultrie
Jessica Wright Wilkins
ScholarshipHistory
The Richland County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., through the work of our Scholarship and May Week Committee, is proud to recognize and reward academic achievement, leadership skills, community involvement, and excellence in extracurricular activities. Each year, we award scholarships to outstanding high school seniors from Richland, Fairfield, Lexington, and Newberry counties who embody the spirit of excellence and service.
The impact of these scholarships is reflected in the success of past recipients like Vone’ Taylor Whaley, a 2022 awardee who shared: "Receiving the scholarship from your organization has played a significant role in my academic journey at Clemson University, where I am majoring in industrial engineering. The support helped me maintain a 3.02 GPA, complete an internship with Schneider Electric, and secure an upcoming internship with Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors in Atlanta, GA I also had the opportunity to travel abroad to London and continue to give back by mentoring fellow students through Clemson's PEER & WISE and 4H Leadership and Mentorship programs. I am truly grateful for the opportunities your scholarship has provided."
We are honored to support students like Vone’ and remain committed to empowering the next generation of leaders through education, service, and scholarship
Congratulations 2025 Scholarship Recipients
Good Luck & Best Wishes!!!
ScholarshipCommittee
Sherifat Alabi Pearson
Krystal Brown
Dr. Monica Owens-Carter
Mornique Dozier
Dr. Marilyn Frederick
Dr. Kendra Hill
Felicia Howard
Eunice Jones
Dr. Sommer Jones
Melanie Johnson
Alonia Johnson
Tarolyn Lee
Kourtney Martin
Dr. Vanessa Nelson-Reed
Dorothya Nero
Dr. Jennifer Clyburn Reed
Dr. Tammy Shadd
Rhonda Thompson
RedDiamondGala
History
Richland County Alumnae Chapter (RCA), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. hosted its inaugural scholarship gala, known as the RCA Holiday Gala, in December 1995. Following the success of the first gala, it became RCA's mission to continue to impact and serve the community through its outreach programs, and in providing scholarships to college-bound students. Today, the Red Diamond Scholarship Gala is the chapter’s signature fundraising event, and is held during the month of June each year.
Purpose
What started as a Holiday Gala in December of 1995, has morphed into a much anticipated annual gala driven by purpose. Members of Richland County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. were driven by their mission to raise funds for scholarships and to support the programs, projects, and causes in the communities we serve. With the support of our community partners, friends and family, RCA has awarded over $400,000 to deserving high school seniors and college students.
As a Chapter with over 350 members, our goal remains the same. We are honored to have had your support for this year's Gala by way of purchasing a ticket and/or your generous donation as a sponsor.
CORPORATE Platinum
Friends of Jim Clyburn
Southeast Cresent Regional Commission
Diamond Sponsors
Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation
Optus Bank
Richland County Councilwoman - Tish Dozier Alleyne
Richland County Council Chairwoman - Jesica Mackey
Prisma Health
Sims Petroleum Company
Bibleway Church of Atlas Road
Catalyst Institute for Transformative Learning
Lowe’s of Irmo, SC
Columbia Housing Authority
Blue Cross and Blue Shield SC
Blueprint Strategy, LLC
Donaldson Tax & Bookkeeping Services, LLC
Richland County Councilwoman - Tyra Little
Dick Dyer and Associates
Felder Consulting & Healthcare Solutions, LLC
Diversified Training Consultants - Dr Macie P Smith
Greater Waverly Foundation
Committee to Re-elect Todd Rutherford
E Financial Advisors
Javis Tax Service
About Play Early Intervention
Nora Hubbard State Farm Agency
SC Education & Workforce Foundation
T3 Non Profit
Classic Lincoln/Jaguar Land Rover of Columbia
Prudential
Solomon Law Group
OnPoint Leadership Institute For Girls
Honored to Serve - Dr. Michelle Glover
Palmetto AIDS Life Support Services
Black Girl Me, LLC
LFW Public Health Connections
Moore Bradley Myers Law Firm, PA
Stained Glass by Jokeeta
Soror
Sponsors
Platinum
Rhonda Banks Thompson
Toyya Brawley Gray
Dr. Andress Carter Sims
Dr. Jennifer Clyburn Reed
Tammie Coleman Epps
Rosalyn L Glenn
Therese A. Griffin
Kimberly W. Jones
Cheryl Mack Thompson
Tracey Mobley Chavous
Yvonne Murray Boyles
Tashia Myers
Monica Owens
DeVonne Risher Smalls
Diamond
Tashia Myers
DeVonne Risher Smalls
Dr. Chandra Sykes Smith
Lavell R. Thornton
Gwen Thurmond
Beverly Wesley
Faith Benjamin
Dr. Andress Carter-Sims (3)
Dr. Audrey Harris
Joyce Johnson
Denine Ward-Johnson
Yolanda Kennedy
Shanna Hook
Argenitta Bounds
LaTonya Brown
Barbara Code (2)
Lakisha Dantzler
Tammie Coleman Epps (2)
Marilyn Frederick
Shanna Garrick
Dr. Annette Clark-Brown
Dr. Andress Carter-Sims
Thewanda Cooper
Sharon Parker
Janice Pratt
Jessica Watkins
Dr. Connie Mitchell
Stacie Williams Moultrie (2)
Dr. Kezia Myers
Tricy Nero
Cheryl Nunnley
Wanda Oliver
Virginia O’Neal
Greta Frazier Avery
Dr. Patrice T. Green
Lindsey Jefferson
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Congratulations to the Richland County Alumnae Chapter and the Red Diamond Scholarship Gala on another successful year of giving back to the community.
With Much Sisterly Love,
Ormica Thomas
Congratulations nd County Alumnae C
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, on a successful
Red Diamond Scholarship Shanna Garrick
Congratulations 2025
BestWishes,
Thank You!
Richland County Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. would like to thank the FortitudeFoundation,Inc, for their continued support and leadership!
Fortitude Foundation
Chair - Cheryl Nunnley
Vice Chair - Dr. Lisa Wadell
Financial Secretary - Dantz Woodberry
Financial Secretary - Taren Gunter-Moody
Secretary- Jacqueline Scott-Bailey
Immediate Past Chair- Nakell Matthews
Board Members:
Tacara Carpenter
Lindsey Jefferson
Sharon Lynn
Dr. Andress Carter-Sims
Jaton Smith
Tia Thomas
Rhonda Thompson
Board Member & National Treasurer:
Rosalyn L. Glenn
Vanessa Green
Thank you for supporting the RICHLAND COUNTY ALUMNAE CHAPTER
It is a true honor to celebrate another year of Excellence in Scholarship, Service, and Sisterhood at the Annual Red Diamond Gala - Black Out Edition We honor the powerful legacy of our 22 Founders by blacking out doubt, limits, and barriers in the name of purpose and progress. To our scholarship recipients-you are the reason we serve; keep shining, leading, and rising -Angenitta Bounds, RCA Chapter Member-
Richland County Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Fortitude Foundation, Inc. &
Red Diamond Scholarship Gala
74 Dimensions of DiSTinction
GreetingsRCA,
Congratulations on another great year of being a beacon of light in the community, ensuring that children have an opportunity to pursue their dreams.
JoyceJohnson
Brookland Baptist Church Bible Way Church Atlas Rd
Lower Richland High School Starbucks – Long Pond Rd
Barbara Code
Diamond Scholarship Gala EVERY YEAR as we provide scholarships in our community! THANK YOU 2 0 2 5 R e d D i a m o n d S c h o l a r s h i p G a l a
A member of the Delta D.E.A.R.S. proudly supports the to our guests for supporting the Richland County Alumnae Chapter’s
Congratulations to Richland County Alumnae Chapter on a successful Red Diamond Gala!
Fortitude Foundation
Board Member, 2025
Richland County Alumnae Chapter Treasurer, 2017-2021
Financial Secretary, 2015-2017
Chair-Internal Audit, 2012-2015
JatonSmith
80 Degrees of Crimson Heat * Spring 2009 * #52 Serenity
to the Richland County Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for the
2025 ANNUAL RED DIAMOND SCHOLARSHIP GALA: Black Out Edition.
Always representing SCHOLARSHIP, SERVICE, AND SISTERHOOD with excellence!
My Best,
Congratulations, RCA Virginia O’Neal
on 31 years of providing college scholarships to deserving students. Continue to “PARTY WITH A PURPOSE!”
Congratulations to the Richland County Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and my sister Dr. Connie Mitchell on your successful signature
RCA on 31 years of impacting our communities through Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service and Social Action! Congratulations
Congratulations on a successful gala event!
Special thanks to the Fortitude Foundation, Inc. and RCA for your dedication to ensuring “Dollars For Scholars”!
Thank you
2025 Red Diamond Scholarship Gala
2025RScholarsh ecipients
Congratulations on this well-d recognition! Wishing you all the b future endeavors!
RICHLAND COUNTY ALUMNAE CHAPTER AND FORTITUDE FOUNDATION, INC. ON ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL RED DIAMOND SCHOLARSHIP GALA!
Rosalyn L. Glenn National Treasurer
2025 Red Diamond Scholarship Gala
With Grace, Purpose, and Power... proudly celebrating the Richland County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on the occasion of the Red Diamond Scholarship Ga
RCA’s dedication to uplifting youth thro and sisterhood leaves an indelible lega
RCA’S vision, impact, and unwavering e
Congratulations on a legacy that con shine brilliantly and boldly. With All of My Love,
Monica Owens
Past President and Charter Member
Celebrating Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service, and Social Action!
TraceyMobley Chavous
Proud to honor the legacy of Richland County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Congratulations RCA on 31 years of impact and excellence. Richland County Alumnae Chapter Spring 2009 #73 -True Colors
Exquisitely Luxe EVENTS DECOR DESIGN
Richland County Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on your 2025 Red Diamond Scholarship Gala
to the RCA Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. on another spectacular gala. Dreams come true because of what you do for our community!
All the Best,
Dr. Audrey Harris and Dr. Brianna Harris
Congratulations
Richland County Alumnae Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. & the Fortitude Foundation, Inc.
We are so proud of our amazing 2025 Scholarship Recipients!
Lavell R. Thornton Chapter President
RCA Charter Member
“It takes a Village to Raise a Child.”
Years
Thank you for providing 31 of Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service & Social Action!
tothe
landCountyAlum igmaThetaSoror
Congratulations Cong tulations
Richland County Alumnae on this year’s Scholarship Gala!
Cheryl Nunnley
Many thanks Many thanks
to the Richland County Alumnae Chapter and the Fortitude Foundation, Inc. for your unwavering dedication. Your steadfast commitment continues to uplift and empower our communities in profound ways.
Wykeisha Lewis
Richland County Alumnae Chapter Fall ‘20
to the Richland County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for 31 spectacular years of Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service, and Social Action!
You make me proud, my dynamic sisters!
A sincere Dana Fulton Tucker congratulations
RCA Charter Member • Publisher • IX
Your generous contributions of time, talent, and resources added a special touch to this evening.
Thank you for helping us celebrate, uplift, and empower the next generation of scholars.
