Pearls with a Purpose Gala Journal, 2023

Evening Program

Welcome

ANDREA OWENS-BYRD, PRESIDENT

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Sigma Tau Omega Chapter

Grace

ARONDA WALKER, ASSISTANT FINANCIAL SECRETARY

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Sigma Tau Omega Chapter

Purpose

ROBIN WHITAKER, PRESIDENT

Ivy Community Service Foundation of Cary, Inc.

Acknowledgements

VANYA ALLEN & BRIA DAY, CO-CHAIRMEN

2023 Pearls with a Purpose Charity Gala

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Sigma Tau Omega Chapter

Dinner

Entertainment

JaShaun Peele, Saxophonist Bobby Jones

Uniquely Different Entertainment DJ Mixmaster B

Menu

Chicken Florentine Salad

Rice Pilaf Chocolate Cake

Vegetable Medley Strawberry Shortcake

Dinner Rolls

*Cash Bar

President Sigma Tau Omega Chapter

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Greetings Members and Guest,

It is with great pleasure; the members of the Sensational Sigma Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated® welcome you to the 19th Annual Pearls with a Purpose Charity Gala (PWAP), in partnership with the Ivy Community Service Foundation of Cary. For over 20 years, we have established an affiliation committed to meeting the needs of our community.

Because of your generosity, Sigma Tau Omega was able to provide continuous service to the citizens in Cary and Western Wake Counties. Under the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Program theme “SoaringtoGreaterHeightsofServiceandSisterhood”,we continue to focus on the following: Empower Our Families, Build Our Economic Wealth, Enhance Our Environment, Advocate for Social Justice, and Uplift Our Local Community. With your financial support and partnership, we can successfully implement these programs, support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and award educational scholarships to aspiring college students.

Family and friends, are you ready for another fabulous event at the Sheraton? Again, we thank you for your generous giving and continued support. Let’s celebrate another SENSATIONAL year!

In Service,

Andres Owens-Byrd

Andrea Owens-Byrd, President

Sigma Tau Omega Chapter

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®

Ivy Community Service Foundation of

Cary, Inc.

Welcome to our Annual Pearls with a Purpose Gala!

The Ivy Community Service Foundation of Cary, Inc. (ICSFC) is delighted to extend our sincere gratitude for your continued support through the years at our Pearls with a Purpose Gala. For the past 25 years, you have afforded us the opportunity to serve the western Wake County community.

Once again, we are proud to say because of your continued support in our efforts, we had a very successful 2023 Annual Day of Giving. ICSFC was able to award nearly $35,000 in scholarships, and community donations. A highlight of the program was to see and hear music presented by a student violinist, who attended The Community Music School, an organization we proudly supported through grant dollars. We celebrated new community partners alliances in support of our efforts in health initiatives, including mental health and programs for first-time moms targeting parenting skills; a mentoring program to advocate and support our young future leaders; and continued to support programs for food insecurities and homelessness in the local communities. And of course, we celebrated our local HBCUs and their continued commitment to provide the best education and college experience to the brightest and upcoming future leaders.

I am proud to have this opportunity to serve as the President of ICSFC during this 25th year. I have said before “you have to reflect and know the past, before you can determine your next steps in the path forward”. This year, I charged each of you to remember the past, work to improve the present, and help make the future better. With continued support and with every dollar raised, we can and will continue the mission of ICSFC, which is “to enhance quality of life through program development and financial support in the areas of arts, economics, education, family and health.”

Enjoy the Celebration!

In Best Regards,

Robin D Whitaker, President Ivy Community Service Foundation of Cary, Incorporated

PO Box 5823 ◊ Cary, NC 27512-5823

www.icsfofcaryinc.org

Vice President

Sigma Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Good Evening!

It is indeed my pleasure to greet and welcome you to our 19th annual PearlsWithAPurpose Gala !

I am delighted to share that because of your generous support and donations, the Sigma Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Ivy Community Service Foundation of Cary Inc. continues to serve the communities of Cary and Western Wake County. Our 2022-2024 program initiatives will continue to improve the lives of those we serve, maximize our outreach, and produce leaders. These initiatives are focused on Building our Economic Wealth, Enhancing our Environment, Empowering our Families, Advocating for Social Justice and Uplifting our Community.

Since we were last together, we have continued to advance our mission to serve all mankind. Some of the highlights of this work include our efforts with the Pine Acres Community center in Fuquay Varina, which allows us the opportunity to help alleviate food insecurity. Our financial and tangible donations to organizations like Ronald McDonald House, Hope Center at Pullen and Military Mission in Action continue to provide a positive impact for those in need. Our continued support for our local HBCUs was highlighted through our financial donation to our local HBCU NCCU, St. Augustine’s, and Shaw University as well as hosting our 7th Annual HBCU College Fair which was held on September 23rd to record attendance. These are just a few of the programs we executed over the past year.

On behalf of our partners, scholarship recipients, the communities we serve, and the members of the Sensational Sigma Tau Omega Chapter, thank you so much for your presence here tonight. This would not be possible without your monetary support. As we continue to be of service to all mankind, I pray that we continue this journey together. Have a wonderful evening.

Sincerely,

Ayana Simon, Vice President

Sigma Tau Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Cary, NC Board Member Ivy Community Service Foundation of Cary, Inc.

Ivy Community Service Foundation of Cary, Inc.

“At the end it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.“ Denzel Washington

Welcome to the 19th Annual Pearls With A Purpose Charity Gala, sponsored by the Ivy Community Service Foundation of Cary, Inc. (ICSFC), and the Sigma Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. These words from Denzel Washington are a wonderful testament to what tonight is all about. Your generous support of our signature fundraiser, shows that you join us in a commitment to service and betterment of our community.

In 2022 we were humbled by the financial assistance we received from like-minded donors enabling us to award seven college-bound students and eight community organizations a total of $25,000 during our Annual Day of Giving, which was held earlier this year in June. And most importantly all those funds are benefitting people right here in our own back yard. People who are our neighbors, church members, coworkers and friends.

Sincerely,

Shena Thornton, Vice President and Community Affairs Chairman Ivy Community Service Foundation of Cary, Incorporated

Chairmen

2023 Pearls with a Purpose

Charity Gala

Greetings!

On behalf of the Pearls with a Purpose (PWAP) Charity Gala Committee, it is our pleasure to welcome you to the 19th PWAP Gala!

We are honored to have you as our guests at our signature fundraising event. With your support, the Sigma Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. ® and the Ivy Community Service Foundation of Cary, Inc. will continue our legacy of building stronger communities and rendering service to all mankind through our national programs.

To our event sponsors, Thank You! Your generous support is key in helping us reach our both our fundraising and programmatic goals. Your thoughtful contributions support our programs that enrich and uplift our communities.

We are blessed to have caring community partners like you, and we pray you have an enjoyable evening of fun and fellowship with a purpose!

In Service,

Vanya Allen & Bria Day

Chairmen, 2023 Pearls with a Purpose Charity Gala

Sigma Tau Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ®

2023 PWAP Committee Members

Malissa Brisbon

Celeste Bryant

Ava Closs

Candace Cooper

Joy Gayles

Deborah Jackson

Prenessa Lowery

Adrienne Lynn

Prestina Mickens

Tammie Pulley

Michelle Skeen

Robin Whitaker

Sherry White

Bonnie Whitney

Corporate Sponsors

Thank you for your generous support and contributions.

The Sigma Tau Omega

Chapter and the Ivy Community Service Foundation Program Partners

Sigma Tau Omega Chapter and the Ivy Community Service Foundation Program Partners

The

Nurse-Family Partnership

Pearls with a Purpose Gala Sponsors, Patrons and Vendors

Pearl Sponsors

Allgood Real Estate, LLC

Phyllis Algood, Broker/Owner

www.allgoodsoldit.com

L.A. Wynn, PA Certified Public Accountant

Lolita A. Wynn, CPA, CGMA, CRMA

www.lawynnpa.com

Pearls with a Purpose Gala

Sponsors, Patrons and Vendors

Tea Rose Sponsors

Wayne Women’s Clinic: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Ivy Sponsors

A Will to Thrive Counseling Services, PLLC

Cooking with Jo – Pampered Chef

Jessica Holmes

Johnson Lexus of Raleigh Table Sponsors

BG Premier Entertainment

Davenport Projex Photography

Toi Foxx Hair Studio

Pearls with a Purpose Gala Sponsors,

Patrons and Vendors

Patrons

Tuere Bowles

Carrie Carter

Jerome Fleming

Erica Ifode

Leonard King

Maxine Ragland

Buffie Raynor

Asia Sandridge

Karen Tabron

Samuel Whitney

3 Sisters Embroidery, LLC

Gala Vendors

Buffalo Dallas Merchandise and Apparel

Inspir£ Beauty

Jada’s Men’s Accessories

Pursenality and Accessories, Inc.

Selah 74

Sole Purpurse

Worldwide Origins

Thank you for your generous support and contributions.

Sigma Tau Omega Chapter

We acknowledge and extend a Thank You to the following chapter members for going above and beyond in their fundraising efforts in 2022. Your commitment allowed Sigma Tau Omega and the Ivy Community Service Foundation of Cary Inc. to continue to be impactful in our community.

2022FundraisingTopAchievers

TOP FUNDRAISER

PEARL

$2,000-$4,999

Denise Martin

Wanda Nicholson

Sherry Johnson White

Priscilla Tyree Williams

Jacquelyn Wilson

JacquelynWilson

Sigma Tau Omega Chapter

2022FundraisingTopAchievers

TEA ROSE

$1,000-$1,999

Phyllis Algood

Vanya Allen

Tammy Chapman

Peggy Credle

Phaedra Grove

Anita Hudson-Fraley

Shavonne Joyner

Melva Peed

Buffie Raynor

Kiara Ruth

IVY

$500-$999

Tiffany Bennett-Cornelous

Malissa Brisbon

LaTasha Cannon

Ava Closs

Felice Corpening

Stephanie Davenport

Emily Dickens

Davetta Dunlap

Audra Foree

Jamiece Hargrove

Ann Hooker

Elvira Howell

Sherry Hunter

Deborah Jackson

Kimberly Lovell

Prenessa Lowery

Benita McClain

Thevesa McNeill

Barbara Miller

Marva Motley

Andrea Owens-Byrd

Bernadette Pauling

Tammie Pulley

Rhonda Raney

Phoebe Smith-Hinton

Shinel Stephens

Charieese Sutton

Shena Thornton

Robin Whitaker

Bonnie Whitney

Sigma Tau Omega Chapter

2023ChapterOfficers

ANDREA OWENS-BYRD President

AYANA SIMON VicePresident

MARCIA MENSAH Treasurer

SEDRA LAWRENCE AssistantTreasurer

FELICE CORPENING Secretary

ALLISON NEWTON AssistantSecretary

GWENDOLYN AVERY FinancialSecretary

ARONDA WALKER AssistantFinancialSecretary

CHARIEESE SUTTON CorrespondingSecretary

RHONDA RANEY Parliamentarian

JESSICA TAMBA Hostess

DELORES FOGG Archivist

KIARA RUTH IvyLeafReporter

KIMBERLY FORDE KeeperoftheDoor

ROBIN TALLEY Historian

TANISHA HITHE Chaplin

Sigma Tau Omega Chapter

2022ChapterAwards

Ivy Community Service Foundation

2023BoardofDirectorsandOfficers

ROBIN WHITAKER President

V. SHENA THORNTON VicePresident CommunityAffairsChairman

TERRICA NELSON Secretary

SHERRY WHITE Treasurer

ARNETTE COWAN AssistantFinancialSecretary GrantsChairman

PHOEBE SMITH-HINTON FinancialSecretary

JACQUELYN WILSON ResourceChairman

ANDREA OWENS-BYRD President

SigmaTauOmegaChapter AlphaKappaAlphaSorority,Inc.

MALISSA BRISBONE BoardMember

MELVA BROWN BoardMember

ROBIN TALLEY BoardMember

TAKEETA TYSON BoardMember

TRACEE DORCELIEN ScholarshipChairman

AYANA SIMON VicePresident

SigmaTauOmegaChapter AlphaKappaAlphaSorority,Inc.

MARCIA MENSAH Treasurer

SigmaTauOmegaChapter AlphaKappaAlphaSorority,Inc.

Ivy Community Service Foundation Sigma Tau Omega Chapter

2023ScholarshipRecipients

On June 4, 2023, at the 7th Annual Day of Giving, high school students in the local community were awarded a total of $25,000 in scholarship awards for their academic excellence.

Scholarships totaling $3000 were also awarded across 3 local HBCUs: North Carolina Central University, Shaw University and Saint Augustine’s University.

Recipients pictured with Tracee Dorcelien, Scholarship Chairman (Left), Robin Whitaker, ICSFC President (Right): Sydney Carpenter, Jazmine Vick, Xayah Augustine (Phaedra J. Grove Scholarship), Janae Carter, Kristin Forrester, Brianna Watts, and Lelani Williamsom. Not Pictured: Jamari Ware (Shirley Franklin Tyree Memorial Scholarship)

Ivy Community Service Foundation of Cary, Inc.

Celebrating 25 years of Service

The Ivy Community Service Foundation of Cary, Inc.

is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit tax-exempt organization, established in 1998 to respond to the needs of the community by offering exemplary service initiative and progressive programs. Contributors and supporters of community service programs and fundraisers sponsored by the Foundation are able to receive the benefits of tax exemption for their contributions. Funds raised by and through the Foundation finance programming efforts in educational advancement as well as community service programs that target the following areas: the arts, economics, education, family and health.

The Gus Witherspoon Awards were established by the National Pan-Hellenic Council of the Greater Raleigh Area in memory of the late Augustus “Gus”

Witherspoon who was instrumental in promoting the mission of the Pan-Hellenic Council in Wake County. Its Purpose is to recognize the “Unsung Heroes” who have made noteworthy contributions to the general improvement of humanity in areas of Business, Community Service, Cultural Arts Education, Lifetime Achievement, Media, Politics and Religion.

Soror Vanya Allen, Esq. Silver Star, Life Member

Ivy Community Service Foundation In Service

Sigma Tau Omega Chapter

Sisterhood and Service

Sigma Tau Omega Chapter

Sisterhood and Service

Sigma Tau Omega Chapter

Sisterhood and Service

2023 Sigma Tau Omega Membership

Adams, Alma Tomica

Adams, Patience

Addison, Alexis

Algood, Phyllis

Alexander, Kimberly

Allen, Candace

Allen, LaShuane

Allen, Vanya

Alston, Felice

Armstrong-Brown, Janelle

Ashford, Shannon

Atkinson, Mikayla

Avery, Gwendolyn

Baker, Paris

Baker, Stephanie

Baker, Thelma Lupino

Banks, Dee

Banks, Kierra

Barfield, Alicia

Barfield, Evelyn

Barnes-Scott, Alexis

Bates, Tameka

Battle, Kara

Beasley, Cheri

Beatty, RonMeisha

Bennett-Cornelous, Tiffany

Berry-James, RaJade

Bey, Celeste

Billingsley, Darian

Birks, Konnstance

Bivins, Geneva

Blakney, Tiffany

Bonner, Vanetta

Bowles, Lori

Boyd, Jennette

Bracy, Janelle

Brickey, Kristina

Brisbon, Malissa

Bromwell, Brittany

Brown, Melva

Brown, Nicole

Brown, Ronda

Brown, Tania

Brown, Tre’nise

Brown-Namingona, Kathyrn

Bryant, Celeste

Buchanon, Brenda

Bunch, Carol

Burch, Jessica

Burden, Raegen

Bynum, LaTasha

Byrd, Kimberly

Byrdsong-Williams, Candace

Cannon, LaTasha

Casimir, Olivia

Caver-Holmes, Rhonda

Chambers, Carlon

Chapman, Alicia

Chapman, Tammy

Cheek, Kimberly

Cherry, Alisa

Click, Monica

Closs, Ava

Colleton, Erica

Collins, Michelle

Collins, Annie

Coleman, Shauna

Cook, Allyson

Cooper, Candace

Corbett, LaVonda

Corbett, Toya

Corpening, Felice

Council, Ve-Lecia

Covington, Wendy

Cowan, Arnette

Crawford Heath, Kizzy

Credle, Katresse

Credle, Peggy

Crews, Courtney

Crosby, Catherine

Crosby, Tijuana

Crutchfield, Joan

Davenport, Stephanie+

David, Brianna

Davis, Ashiya

Davis, Catherine

Day, Bria

Deck, Kim

Delany, Brandi

DeShield, Alice

Diallo, Ashante

Dickens, Emily M.

Dorcelien, Tracee

Dorcelien, Jessica

Dove, Lutashia

Dunlap, Davetta

Eaton, Amy

Eldridge, Angelyn

Epps, Tiffany

Fogg, Delores

Forde, Kimberly

Foree, Audra

Francis, Ophelia

Gayles, Joy

Gibson, Margie

Gilchrist, Gennine

Gilchrist, Harriett

Gilchrist, Simone

Givens, Jada

Green, Pamela

Greene, Teresa

Grove, Phaedra

Hall, DeShelia

Hall, Sheila

Hall, Tiffany

Hamilton-Williams, LaTisha

Hand, Tiffany

Hankins, Winters

Hargrove, Jamiece

Hargrove, Marie

Harrell-Gye'Nyame, Nicole

Harris, RaQuel

Harris, Shauna

Harris, Taneshia

Hernandez, Ayana+

Hester, Lashika

Hicks, Carlotta

Hicks, Katrina

Hill, Tammera

Hinton, Stacey

Hithe, Tanisha

Hodge, Shawana

Holmes, Jessica+

Hooker, Ann

Hopson, Shamonya

Howard, Kelsi

Howell, Elvira

Hudson-Fraley, Anita

Hunter, Sherry

Ibrahim, Saeeda

Jackson, Deborah

Jefferys, Sedra

Jerman, Rita

Jessup, Donna

2023 Sigma Tau Omega Membership

Johnson, Anna Chris

Johnson, Asia

Johnson, Cynthia

Johnson, Kelli

Johnson, LaShonda

Johnson, Tache

Johnson-Davis, Andria

Jordan, Lisa

Joyner, Lorinzo

Joyner, Shavonne

Judge, Rebecca

Kindell, Kandyce

King, Rosemary

King, Tawanna

Knight, Cynthia

Knight, Linda

Knox, Danielle

Kpeglo, Senadzi

Leach, Ernestine

Leach, Willette

Lee, Nancy

Leigh, Angelica

Leigh, Twila

Lemons, Carena

Lewis, Kendria

Lloyd, Kenya

Long, Ruby Janel

Lovell, Kimberly

Lowe Clayton, Tiffany

Lowery, Prenessa

Lucas, Gena

Lyne, Adrienne

Majors, Ebony

Manley, Crystal

Marable, Carmen

Marshall, Mary

Martin, Denise

Martin, Erin

Martin, Trinija

Mayes, Sya

McClain, Benita

McCormick, Towanda

McCoy, Earlean

McCullough-Cobey, Saundra

McDougal, Arkela

McManus Abram, Wendy

McMillian, Gail

McMillian, Sharon

McNeal Berlondrika

McNeill, Thevesa

Mensah, Marcia

Mickens, Prestina

Middleton, Earline

Middleton, Jessica

Miller, Barbara

Mobley, Sheila

Moorer, Kierston

Morrison, Juanita

Mosley-Woodard, Jina

Motley, Marva

Mouzone, Ebony

Moye, Denise

Mutisay, Elizabeth

Neal, Teresa

Nelson, Terrica

Newton, Allison

Norman, Patricia

Oliver, Natalie

Outterbridge, Angela

Owens-Byrd, Andre

Parker, Ayana

Parker, Daryl

Pauling, Bernadette

Peed, Melva

Pender, Cheryl

Perry, Alesia

Perry, Kelsey

Petteway, Tonya

Polo, Ursula

Powell, Alecia

Pryor, Santese

Pulley, Tammie

Ragin, Karen

Ragland, Hilda Pinnix

Ragland, Maxine

Ramsey, Kathy

Raney, Rhonda

Raynor, Buffie

Redmond, Cintasha

Reid, Lyndsey

Rhenwrick, Aria

Roberts, Veronica

Robinson, Felecia

Robinson, Pandora

Rochelle, Tai

Rodman-Agbejule, Stephanie

Rogers, Ashley

Rowland, Adonnica

Ruth, Kiara

Sanders, Tawana

Senegal, Stephannie

Shorter, E. Gaynelle

Simmons-Henry, Linda*

Simon, Ayana

Simon, Barbara

Skeen, Michele

Smith, Gwendolyn

Smith, Jordyn

Smith, Nakiya

Smith, Sheba

Smith, Tammy

Smith-Hinton, Phoebe

Spaulding, Paula

Spearman, Mykayla

Spears, Nikita

Speight-Love, Angela

Spencer, Ayesha

Spencer, Gwendolyn

Spruill, Tracey

Stephens, Shinel

Sutton, Charieese

Tabron, Karen

Talley, Robin

Tamba, Jessica

Tator, Conderlear

Taylor, Linda

Taylor, Zeely

Temple, Tiffany

Thomas, Pamela

Thornton, V. Shená

Tyson, Takeeta

Walker, Anastasia

Walker, Aronda

Wallace, Aya

Walton, Debra

Watson, Melissa

Whitaker, Robin

White, Sherry

Whitfield, Julia

Whitney, Bonnie

Wiggins, Judy

Wilder, Charmaine

Wilder, Lauren

Wilder, Mariah

Wilder, Quiana

Wiley, Krystal

Williams, Alma

2023 Sigma Tau Omega Membership

Williams, Bobbie

Williams, Caryl

Williams, Katina

Williams, Kyha

Williams, Mekeisha

Williams, Paula

Williams, Priscilla Tyree

Williams, Shavonne

Willie, Jamie

* Alpha Kappa Alpha International Committee Member

Wills, Catherine

Wilson, Jacquelyn

Wilson, Sonja

Womble, Rebecca

Woodard, Vendetta

Woodard, Loretta

Wynn, Lolita

Yancey, Adrienne

Yancey, Betty C

Linda Simmons-Henry. Chairman, International Archives Committee

+ Alpha Kappa Alpha Mid-Atlantic Regional Committee Member

Stephanie Davenport, Chairman, Newsletter

Ayana Hernandez, Co-Chairman, Communications Committee

Jessica Holmes, Connection and Social Justice North Carolina Coordinator

FORMERAND*CURRENT SIGMATAUOMEGACHAPTERPRESIDENTS

(Robin Whitaker, Denise Martin, Phyllis Algood, Gaynelle Shorter, Kim Deck, *Andrea Owens-Byrd, Vanya Allen, Phaedra Grove, Rosemary King, Shena Thornton, Stephanie Davenport)

Thank you!