RCA 30th Anniversary Program

C

Richland County Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

elebrating

30

years of

EXCELLENCE, ENDURANCE & EMPOWERMENT

Anniversary Celebration Brunch Saturday, April 27, 2024 10:30 AM Brookland Baptist Banquet & Conference Center 1066 Sunset Blvd | West Columbia, SC 29169

Lavell R. Thornton, RCA Chapter President Sharon A. Parker, 30th Anniversary Chair Nakell Matthews, 30th Anniversary Co-Chair

Greetings Dear Sorors, It is with great pleasure to welcome you to the 30th Anniversary of Richland County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. April 24, 1994 is the special day we began our journey as a chapter. We were called, committed, and ready to serve with 44 visionary charter members. Richland County Alumnae (RCA) stands on the shoulders of our 22 trailblazing founders who saw opportunities within challenges and ignited meaningful change through the sorority’s mission and Five Point Programmatic Thrust. For the past three decades RCA has been committed to excellence and serving Richland, Lexington, Fairfield and Newberry counties. Sisterhood, Scholarship, Service and Social Action are at the heart of what we do. To date, we have awarded over $250,000 to promising young men and women in pursuit of a higher education. The growth both personally as members and professionally as a chapter is impressive.

The growth is evidenced by our

membership (44 to 340), community impact, and representation at the state, regional and national levels.

The theme is Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence, Endurance, and Empowerment which highlights our past, present, and future aspirations. The Anniversary Committee has left no stone unturned. We are grateful for the week of sisterhood activities to include skating fellowship, a day of community service, a celebration brunch and Sunday worship service. This anniversary celebration was a labor of love for our sensational committee chairs, Sharon Parker and Nakell Matthews. The committee’s dedication, hard work, and special touches such as the Chat with the Charter Members fellowship have made this an affair to remember for many years to come.

Our goal is to continuously engage, empower and elevate our sisterhood. With your continued support and active participation, we can also continue to transform lives and impact our communities with diverse programs, events, and public service initiatives.

Yours in Sisterhood and Service,

Lavell R. Thornton

Lavell R. Thornton President, Richland County Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Message from the President

The date was April 24, 1994. The setting was the beautiful Carriage House on the grounds of the Historic Robert Mills House and Gardens in downtown Columbia. The excitement was electric, as all that was present knew they were embarking on a journey whose ending would know no bounds.

At the appointed time, then South Atlantic Regional Director Nettie Faulcon conducted the chartering ceremony for the 867th chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated - Richland County Alumnae (RCA). The historic event was witnessed by 44 charter members, of which 37 were reclaimed by the chapter. These founding members were the guiding force during RCA’s formation and inception.

The second chapter in the Columbia Metropolitan area, the fledgling RCA set about electing officers and moving forward with an eagerness to establish itself as a body of women with purpose and perseverance. Prior to its chartering, sorors participated in such community activities as the Diabetes Walk-a-Thon, and Habitat for Humanity, and they adopted girls from the Whitten Cottage at Carolina Children’s Home. Later, RCA would participate in such established projects as Relay for Life, the American Red Cross blood drives, and voter registration drives.

Early on, Richland County Alumnae grounded its commitment to granting scholarships to deserving college-bound students, and in 1995 awarded its first scholarship in the amount of $300. Since these humble beginnings, RCA has taken over four lines of phenomenal women and now boasts a membership of over 330.

Today, RCA is known for its signature programs that include: the Black Women and Girls Conference, geared toward educating and empowering women; the Red Diamond Scholarship Gala, RCA’s major fundraiser which, to date, has awarded more than $250,000 in scholarships to students in Richland, Fairfield and Lexington counties; a Jabberwock Pageant, a Cotillion-style program of elegance and entertainment that showcases the gifts and talents of the young women participates while advancing the goals and objectives of the Chapter’s scholarship program. In recognition of our anniversary, we will award another $30,000 to deserving students in our local community in 2024.

The Chapter continues to sponsor other core mentoring programs such as the Delta Gems for high school-age girls.

Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays you can find sorors collecting toys, food, household products, toiletries, and gift cards for adopted families. To strengthen the bonds of sisterhood, RCA’s Membership Committee hosts chapter events such as Friends and Family Day, and the Carillon Christmas parade, as well as provides an opportunity for sorors to wind down and enjoy each other in a stress-free environment that may include a movie, dinner, a play, or bowling.

In keeping with the programmatic thrust of the national body of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, RCA has continuously structured its community and public service programs to fit the needs of the community it serves. In cooperation with our sister chapter, Columbia Alumnae, RCA hosts Political Issues Forums to introduce candidates running for office at the local, state, and national levels. Delta Days at the State Capital provides sorors a venue to meet elected officials one-on-one to discuss proposed legislative changes that may impact the community.

Now well into its third decade of existence, Richland County Alumnae is poised to build on the successes of the past while drawing on the dedication, enthusiasm, and excitement of its members to meet the demands of the future. Ongoing programs include Families Helping Families, school supply drives to help local school districts with much-needed materials, and continuing to keep RCA front and center to meet the challenges that lie ahead. New ventures with Birthright of Columbia and Fortitude Foundation, Inc. demonstrate the Chapter’s enduring commitment to serve.

On April 24, 2024, RCA celebrated 30 years of service in the community. Although our beloved chapter has grown greatly in size, its establishment in 1994, our mission remains the same: “A Sisterhood Answering the Call to Serve: Transforming Lives and Impacting Communities.”

Our Chapter History

PRESIDING Nakell Matthews, 30th Anniversary Co-Chair, Past RCA Chapter President Emergency Briefing

Annette Clark-Brown - ERT Chairperson

Processional Welcome & Purpose

Sharon Parker 30th Anniversary Chair, RCA Charter Member, Past RCA Chapter President

Introduction of the Dais

DeVonne Risher Smalls - RCA First Vice President, RCA Charter Member

Greetings

Louise A. Rice - 23rd National President The Honorable Kendra L. Dove - Richland County Treasurer

Concurrent Resolution

The Honorable Tameika Isaac-Devine - South Carolina State Senate

Selection

The Sounds of Delta

Invocation & Blessing

Patrice T. Green - RCA Chaplain BRUNCH IS SERVED

Recognition of Charter Members Tracey Mobley Chavous - RCA Second Vice President Video Presentation

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

Reflections

Angela Palmer Williams - 25 Genesis 2:22+1 Hattie Sims - 37 Daughters of the Dawn Salandra Bowman - 80 Degrees of Crimson Heat Wykeisha Lewis - 74 Dimensions of DiSTiction

Introduction of Speaker

Yolanda Kennedy - South Carolina State Secretary, RCA Charter Member, Past RCA Chapter President

Selection

The Sounds of Delta

Speaker

Rosalyn Glenn - National Treasurer, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. RCA Charter Member, Past RCA Chapter President

Special Recognition & Acknowledgements

Sharon Parker & Nakell Matthews - Anniversary Committee Chairs Patricia Williams - RCA Charter Member, Past RCA Chapter President

Closing Remarks

Lavell Thornton - RCA Chapter President, RCA Charter Member

Recessional **Anniversary Photo Booth will be open during brunch and immediately following the program.

Program

Charter Members Greta Avery Rosalyn Bland Helen Mae Bryson Donna M. Burgess-Huger Thewanda F. Cooper Sylvia Davis Amy Certilda DeLyons Mornique Brown Dozier Tammie Epps Rosalyn Glenn Toni Hassell-Butts Jannette Henry-Davenport Devonne Hill Felicia Howard Linda Moyd Jackson

Majorie Jackson House Joyce Johnson Debbie Elaine Jones-Pinckney Yolanda Kennedy Lula Lee Cheryl Mack Donna McCray Poole Leah Moody Beverly Morris Stephanie Morris Carolyn Murphy Taylor Monica Owens Sharon Parker Nancy Peppers Jacquelyn Praylo-Johnson

LaKindra Pruitt-Grooms DeVonne Smalls Gwendolyn Smalls Jones DeAlva Taundolyn Suber Nancy Tanks Doris “Tia” Thomas Rhonda Banks Thompson Lavell Thornton Dana Tucker Denine Ward Johnson Carla Washington-Bullard Priscilla White* Patricia Williams Margie Wise *Deceased

Chapter Presidents Patricia Williams Yolanda Kennedy Monica Owens Denine Ward Johnson Therese Griffin Nakell Matthews Sheryl Dunning Mamie Hayes Hartwell

1994-1995 1995-1997 1997-1999 1999-2001 2001-2003 2003-2005 2005-2007 2007-2009

Rosalyn Glenn Monica Owens Sharon Parker ZeNata Donaldson Lavell Thornton

2009-2011 2011-2013 2013-2015 2015-2017 2017-2019 2019-2021 2021-2023 2023-Current

Chapter Lines 25 Genesis 2:22+1 37 Daughters of the Dawn

Fall 1997 Spring 2002

80 Degrees of Crimson Heat 74 Dimensions of DiSTinction

Spring 2009 Fall 2020

Chapter Leadership

Chapter Officers President First Vice President Second Vice President Financial Secretary Assistant Financial Secretary Treasurer Recording Secretary Corresponding Secretary Chaplain Sergeant-At-Arms Custodian Historian Parliamentarian Protocol Advisor Nominating Chair Immediate Past President

Lavell Thornton DeVonne Risher Smalls Tracey Mobley Chavous Cheryl Wilson Tiffany Riggs Candice Haigler Wykeisha Lewis Danielle Cooper Patrice T. Green Shanee’ Moore Adia’ Singleton LaKenna McCrorey Therese Griffin DeVonne Risher Smalls Jennifer Clyburn Reed ZeNata Donaldson

30th Anniversary Committee Members Sharon Parker, Chair Greta Avery Angenitta Bounds Salandra Bowman Carla Bullard Deborah Burns Denise Collier Nicole Davis Mornique Dozier

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Nakell Matthews, Co-Chair

ZeNata Donladson Sarah Ford Mary Haile Candice Haigler Majorie House Joyce Johnson Vyce Johnson Yolanda Kennedy Wykeisha Lewis

Ayeshah Major Taren Moody Keisha Moore Toya Murph Davetta Pickett-Taylor BJ Preston Doris Tia Thomas Terri Washington

Acknowledgements Birthright of Columbia Brookland Baptist Church Fortitude Foundation, Inc. Greek Traditions

J. W. Impressions South Carolina ETV The Sounds of Delta Three Fountains Skating Rink

Recognition