Spring 2022 - Centennial Special Election Edition (Digital Only) - The Aurora

AURORA THE

Centennial

SIGMA GAMMA RHO SORORITY, INC.

THE SPECIAL

ELECTION EDITION

SPRING 2022

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FROM THE INTERNATIONAL NOMINATIONS CHAIR | ELECTION EDITION | SPRING 2022

reetings Sorors, Welcome to the Centennial Election Edition of The Aurora Magazine.

As we celebrate our sorority’s 100-year anniversary, we continue to make great strides in many areas throughout our organization. One of the many areas is our international nominations application process. The paper application process has been phased out completely, in favor of a fully online application. This process went through multiple phases of testing and retesting to ensure that it was secure and fulfills all of the checks and balances as required by our international by-laws. The candidates listed herein are the first sorors who have been able to submit their applications for international office entirely online.

The candidates for the international offices for the 2022-2024 sorority years have a diverse range of abilities and qualities that will be invaluable to our sorority’s future.

These sorors have been actively involved in our sorority’s work for decades and have worked tirelessly to advance our organization. Please visit the Officer Nominations page on the international website under the “Sorors Only” tab. Sorors, I encourage you to review each candidate’s biography, get to know them and their platform, and cast your vote during our Centennial Boule in July.

In Sisterly Service,

Dr. Samantha Betton

Dr. Samantha Betton Centennial International Nominations Chair

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Dr. Samantha Betton

CANDIDATE FOR INTERNATIONAL GRAND BASILEUS UNCONTESTED

Rasheeda S.

Liberty

CANDIDATE FOR IGB | ELECTION EDITION | SPRING 2022

PLATFORM Fly Greater

MEMBER SINCE 1994 • Theta Zeta Chapter, Marquette University CURRENT CHAPTER Gamma Phi Sigma Alumnae • Houston, TX CURRENT OFFICE International Grand Basileus

SORORITY OFFICES HELD Grand Basileus 1st Grand Anti-Basileus Area Coordinator Membership Committee Chair Parliamentarian

UCC Syntaktes Strategic Planning Committee Chair Editor-in-Chief of Aurora

Soror Rasheeda S. Liberty was elected the 25th International Grand Basileus of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., during the 58th Biennial Boule on July 31, 2020. In her role, Soror Liberty, a 28-year member of the renowned sorority, leads the organization as it celebrates its 100th year. Mrs. Liberty provides leadership to over 100,000 sorority members and serve as chairman of the board of directors, composed of 38 national and regional officers who manage the sorority’s 500 chapters in the United States and in several countries.

Soror Liberty joined the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority in 1994 at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A proven and dedicated mentor, she has spearheaded the growth of Sigma Gamma Rho in the Southeastern Region, serving in several leadership roles, including international first vice-president, Southeastern Region director and as international editor-in-chief of The Aurora. Soror Liberty is lauded for her stewardship of the organization’s mission of enhancing the quality of life for women and their families in the U.S. and globally.

Soror Liberty is also celebrated for her negotiation strength and prowess, which has brought over a half million in committed funds towards programming efforts for the sorority. To date, she has introduced new partners to the organization, such as Google, Goldman Sachs, U.S. Army, Netflix, and the OWN Network. She has also propelled their social action efforts forward with forums with the White House and critical partners, including When We AllVote, OWN Your Vote, and The Collective. Soror Liberty has also launched a professional development arm for the sorority, named the Sigma Flame Institute, and has also hosted the first “Day of the Hill” event with members of congress for focused attention on the safety and security of women and youth.

Soror Liberty’s accomplishments have earned her esteemed distinctions and honors, including being deemed as a “Hometown Hero” by Cricket Wireless. Soror Liberty also serves as a regional finance leader driving talent attraction for Amazon as the business partner of the Senior Vice President and CFO. She is a recognized corporate leader with over 29 years of experience in delivering results for Fortune 100 companies. Most recently, Liberty became a certified NFL agent to provide a gateway and support for football players entering the draft and those looking to expand their legacy post career. She is a member of numerous organizations including Top Ladies of Distinction, NAACP, Finance Executive Networking Group (FENG), and Jack & Jill of America. She has been deemed a corporate inspiration, featured on EmPOWERED Black Women & Well-Being Roundtable of the American Heart Association, ESSENCE Live, the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, the Sybil Wilkes Show, and the Black News Channel.

Soror Liberty is married to Gregory Liberty, and they have two children, Nailah and Malik.

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PROFESSION Principal Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader at Amazon Certified NFL Agent

CANDIDATE FOR INTERNATIONAL 1ST GRAND ANTI-BASILEUS UNCONTESTED

CANDIDATE FOR IFGAB | ELECTION EDITION | SPRING 2022

Marica

Harris

PLATFORM The Power of ONE! One Mission, One Vision, One Sisterhood!

ONE SIGMA! MEMBER SINCE 1995 • Kappa Chapter, Wilberforce University CURRENT CHAPTER Theta Sigma Sigma Alumnae • Mid-Hudson Valley, NY CURRENT OFFICE International 1st Grand Anti-Basileus

SORORITY OFFICES HELD 1st Grand Anti-Basileus Syntakes UCC Area Coordinator TORCH Trainer Membership Committee Chair HQ Strategic Plan Liaison

Ruby and Life Member #1313, Soror Marica T. Harris, currently serves as International First Grand AntiBasileus 2020-2022. As the International First Grand Anti-Basileus, Soror Harris assists with the day-to-day operations within the International Corporate Headquarters and provides support and guidance to members and affiliates. Additionally, Soror Harris provides guidance and direction to chapters, as well as maintaining communication with colleges and universities.

Soror Harris has over 15 years of experience in management and supervision in non-profit organizations. Her experience extends to program development, budget management and training and development.

With over 22 years of membership in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Soror Harris has served locally, regionally, and internationally, as a member in various chapters in the Northeastern and Central Regions.

Soror Harris is a graduate of Wilberforce University, University of Pittsburgh, and the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

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PROFESSION Administrative, Management & Higher Education

CANDIDATE FOR INTERNATIONAL 2ND GRAND ANTI-BASILEUS UNCONTESTED

CANDIDATE FOR ISGAB | ELECTION EDITION | SPRING 2022

Samaria

Robinson PLATFORM ONE Sigma

MEMBER SINCE 2021 • Omicron Gamma, Georgia State University CURRENT ADVISING GRADUATE CHAPTER Eta Sigma Alumnae • Atlanta, GA CURRENT OFFICE Co-Grammateus, Omicron Gamma Chapter

SORORITY OFFICES HELD Appointed to work with Grammateus at the Omicron Gamma Chapter

Soror Samaria Robinson is currently a student at Georgia State University, where she is majoring in business management. She is also nearing the completion of her cosmetology certification program at Georgia Piedmont Technical College.

Soror Robinson plans to become a master cosmetologist and open numerous salons, while giving back to the community. She attended high school at Arabia Mountain High School in Lithonia, Georgia where she held numerous leadership positions. Soror Robinson was able to complete college courses during her junior and senior years. Samaria was also part of the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated affiliate group for young girls called the Rhoer Club. While a member of the Rhoer Club, she held numerous positions and completed numerous hours of community service. Since becoming a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Incorporated’s Omicron Gamma chapter, Soror Robinson has been fortunate to serve as their Co-Grammateus. She is very crafty and creative, which she has demonstrated through her bracelet making, paintings, blinged Crocs, etc.

Soror Robinson has had an entrepreneurial spirit at a very young age. In middle school, she made bracelets and other items and sold them to people who wanted to purchase them. From this experience, she learned the value of money, effective communication, time management, and excellent customer service skills.

Soror Robinson spends her spare time helping others, perfecting her craft (hair styles and hair care), dancing, and spending time with friends and family.

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PROFESSION Student at Georgia State University

CANDIDATE FOR INTERNATIONAL GRAND ANTI-GRAMMATEUS UNCONTESTED

CANDIDATE FOR IGAG | ELECTION EDITION | SPRING 2022

Dr. Khalilah

Shabazz

PLATFORM Strengthen the Sigma Record

MEMBER SINCE 2013 • Alpha Sigma Alumnae, Indianapolis, Indiana CURRENT CHAPTER Alpha Sigma Alumnae • Indianapolis, Indiana

PROFESSION Higher Education • Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Diversity Equity and Inclusion Indiana University SORORITY OFFICES HELD Central Region Anti-Grammateus Centennial Planning Committee Member Nominations & Strategic Planning Committee

Dr. Khalilah A. Shabazz is an Indianapolis, Indiana native, committed to her family, community and professional career as a college administrator. Through teaching, facilitating dialogues and serving as the Assistant Vice Chancellor within the Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Dr. Shabazz actively promotes DEI efforts on campus and in the community. She has held progressive leadership roles and participated in numerous national and international professional development opportunities to refine and improve her leadership abilities. Dr. Shabazz’s family is a blended mosaic of eight daughters (ages 19-32) that she co-pilots with her partner, Jamil Shabazz.

The extensive community service record along with leadership roles in various local and national initiatives are evidence of her engagement and dedication. Dr. Shabazz is a PROUD member of the Alpha Sigma Chapter and Legacy/Great-Granddaughter of Founder Vivian Irene White Marbury. A Sigma woman is who she was raised to be and she commits to continue to uplift Sigma Gamma Rho’s tenants of scholarship, sisterhood and service in every way. Dr. Shabazz believes she is experienced, credentialed and poised to lead outside of and within Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated.

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CURRENT OFFICE International Grand Anti-Grammateus

CANDIDATE FOR INTERNATIONAL GRAND GRAMMATEUS

CANDIDATE FOR IGG | ELECTION EDITION | SPRING 2022

Sharron

Barnes

PLATFORM Leading from the C.O.R.E. C-Communication, O-Operating Systems, R-Reporting, E-Education MEMBER SINCE 2001 • Beta Zeta Sigma Alumnae, Rocky Mount, North Carolina CURRENT CHAPTER Zeta Pi Sigma Alumnae • Greenville, North Carolina

PROFESSION Career Technical Education Business/Information Technology Educator SORORITY OFFICES HELD Interim International Grand Grammateus International Budget & Finance Committee International Nominations Committee Northeastern Region Tamiochus Northeastern Region Budget & Finance Committee LOCAL Basileus Tamiochus

Grammateus Parliamentarian

Life Member Sharron Barnes has worked as a business and budget analyst with over 18 years of experience in a Fortune 500 company. Sharron currently serves as a Career Technical Education Business/Information Technology Educator. She now provides learning and essential life skills to our youth as well as integrating technology into the curriculum. Appointed by the International Board of Directors in 2022, Sharron currently serves in the role of International Grand Grammateus. In 2020, Sharron was asked to join the Finance Task Force Team which is aligned with the Budget and Finance Committee. While in this role, she worked with the Finance Manager at ICHQ. Sharron assisted with bank reconciliations, credit card spending analysis, and budget forecast versus actual performance.

As the current International Grand Grammateus, Sharron is responsible for reviewing and approving all sorority disbursements, tracking actual income versus forecasted income, preparing reports for conferences, and assisting with chapters and affiliate records for the organization.

Sharron is knowledgeable due to serving on the regional and international level for both sides of the sorority’s financials. Sharron is the Immediate Past Northeastern Region Tamiochus and served for four years. While in this role, she implemented complete online registration for all regional meetings and moved all financial matters electronically to QuickBooks to provide real time financials for the Region. During her tenure, she provided financial workshops throughout the Region and assisted with one-on-one trainings for chapters.

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CURRENT OFFICE Interim International Grand Grammateus Basileus, Zeta Pi Sigma Alumnae Chapter

CANDIDATE FOR INTERNATIONAL GRAND GRAMMATEUS

CANDIDATE FOR IGG | ELECTION EDITION | SPRING 2022

Dr. Fenobia

Dallas

PLATFORM Customer Satisfaction Exceeds Customer Expectations Through Customer Delight!

MEMBER SINCE 1976 • Alpha Upsilon Chapter, Fisk University CURRENT CHAPTER Gamma Psi Sigma Alumnae • Saginaw, Michigan CURRENT OFFICE Chapter Basileus

SORORITY OFFICES HELD Central Region Tamiochus Grammateus Resolutions Chair & Web Mistress Local Chapter Basileus 2nd Anti-Basileus

3rd Anti-Basileus Grammateus Tamiochus Epistoleus Parliamentarian

Dr. Fenobia Dallas would like to bring for your consideration her experience in membership and financial matters over the past ten years. In fulfilling her duties as grammateus at the local and regional levels, the goals were three-fold: Accountability to ensure that finances were used for their approved budgeted needs Fiscal reliability to timely confirm receipt of dues and fees, and Procedural stability to put best practices into place that would serve the membership.

However, all this “structure” will accomplish nothing if we don’t consider the very unique and individual needs of each member. Selective, focused, and productive training opportunities can continue to meet the needs of the sisterhood. But we also need to examine our membership to determine ways to use our resources effectively. Why do members join? Why do they leave or become inactive? What professions do we draw? What professions are not represented well? Our members are our sisters and our customers. We must elevate our Customer Service to ensure that “Customer Satisfaction Exceeds Customer Expectations.

“Working with the International Corporate Headquarters to plan and implement these strategies can serve our sisterhood in a very exciting and engaging way.

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PROFESSION Higher Education - Professor

CANDIDATE FOR INTERNATIONAL GRAND GRAMMATEUS

CANDIDATE FOR IGG | ELECTION EDITION | SPRING 2022

Delores Shropshire

PLATFORM Let’s R.I.S.E. - REPORT | IMPLEMENT | STREAMLINE | EDUCATE MEMBER SINCE 1996 • Xi Mu Chapter, University of Alabama at Birmingham CURRENT CHAPTER Chi Sigma Alumnae • Birmingham, Alabama CURRENT OFFICE Southeastern Region Grammateus

SORORITY OFFICES HELD International Budget & Finance Committee Southeastern Region Grammateus Centennial Fundraising Committee Southeastern Region Audit Committee Alabama Area Coordinator

Local Chapter Basileus 2nd Anti-Basileus Grammateus Anti-Grammateus

Soror Delores Shropshire has been a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. for 25 years, joining through the Xi Mu chapter at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the fall of 1996.

Since joining, Soror Shropshire has served as Basileus, Anti-Basileus, and Grammateus on the local level, as well as the Alabama Area Coordinator and Grammateus on the regional level. Additionally, she served on a number of regional committees. She also met her goal of becoming a life member of the sorority in 2020.

She hopes to advance in the sorority and is willing to work at any level.

Soror Shropshire works as a business analyst for PNC and has been in the banking industry for over 22 years.

She began as a customer service representative and worked her way up to an annuity coordinator and then a financial analyst. As a result of the merger with BBVA, she was transferred to a different department as a business analyst. These positions have allowed her to advance in her career and learn more about finances.

While serving in the sorority is rewarding, Soror Shropshire’s proudest achievement is becoming a mother to her wonderful son. Her family is important to her, and she values spending time with them the most. Her interests include watching HGTV, keeping a planner, and reading.

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PROFESSION Business Analyst

CANDIDATE FOR INTERNATIONAL GRAND TAMIOCHUS UNCONTESTED

CANDIDATE FOR IGT | ELECTION EDITION | SPRING 2022

Danette

Samilton

PLATFORM No Slogans, Just Results MEMBER SINCE 1996 • Mu Alpha Chapter, University of California, Los Angeles CURRENT CHAPTER Lambda Gamma Sigma Alumnae • Pomona, California CURRENT OFFICE Interim International Grand Tamiochus

SORORITY OFFICES HELD Centennial Finance Chair Western Region Grammateus Local Chapter Basileus Grammateus Tamichous

Soror Danette Samilton is a finance professional with over 20 years of progressive experience. As a Senior Vice President of Finance Operations with Bank of America, Soror Samilton improves operational and financial performance by identifying, developing, and implementing streamlined, well-controlled processes.

She has spent a good portion of her career partnering with executives to develop short and long term operational and financial strategies. Currently, Soror Samilton leads Accounts Payable, Consumer Tax, and Unclaimed Property Operations for the Bank wherein her team is responsible for invoice processing for 40+ countries, withholding, reporting, and remitting taxes to federal and state tax agencies, as well as reporting and conveying unclaimed property to 50+ states and jurisdictions. Soror Samilton was inducted into Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. in Spring 1996 via Mu Alpha Chapter at the University of California, Los Angeles.

She graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and earned her MBA with an emphasis in Finance from Pepperdine University.

Soror Samilton is married to Jawell Samilton. Together they have triplet teenage daughters, Lauryn, Jacquelyn, and Gabrielle who are Rhoers.

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PROFESSION Senior Vice President of Finance Operations

CANDIDATE FOR INTERNATIONAL GRAND EPISTOLEUS UNCONTESTED

CANDIDATE FOR IGE | ELECTION EDITION | SPRING 2022

Tierre

Butler

PLATFORM Greater Preservation & Greater Innovation MEMBER SINCE 2013 • Iota Sigma Alumnae, Richmond, VA CURRENT CHAPTER Lambda Delta Sigma Alumnae • Annapolis, Maryland CURRENT OFFICE International Public Relations Chair

SORORITY OFFICES HELD Centennial Public Relations Chair Northeastern Region Epistoleus Local Chapter 1st Anti-Basileus

Soror Tierre Butler is a highly enthusiastic and dependable member seeking to make an impact by utilizing her experience and talents to service the community and the sisterhood. She has served as Northeastern Regional Epistoleus during the 2016-2020 sorority years. She has also served as the Centennial Public Relations Chair since 2019 and is currently serving in her second year as National Public Relations Chair.

Soror Butler possesses a broad range of creative aptitude in brand strategy and development, graphic design, and marketing with a deep understanding of how to create effective social media campaigns and attractive visual communication. She joined the organization through the Iota Sigma Alumnae Chapter in Richmond, VA, in 2013 where she served as First Anti-Basileus/Graduate Membership Chair. She is currently a member of the Legendary Lambda Delta Sigma Chapter in Annapolis, Maryland.

Soror Butler currently works in the field of Community Development within the area of Urban Design for both commercial and residential land use projects. Her responsibilities include designing, promoting and administering municipal plans and policies affecting land use, zoning, public utilities, community facilities, housing and transportation. She works closely with public officials, attorneys, developers, the public and other special interest groups to create programs and plans for land development and usage. She obtained a degree in Business from Virginia Commonwealth University and continued graduate study in the field of Urban and Regional Planning. She seeks to share her expertise and utilize her talents to drive collaboration and deliver high impact creative solutions for the organization.

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PROFESSION Development Facilitator In Urban Design