January 12, 2013 - January 18, 2013, The Afro-American B1

The largest attended pre-New Year’s Gala in Baltimore continues to be the Continental Societies Christmas Gala. The festive spirit, scrumptious cuisine, exciting black-tie attire, dancing and collegiality was the atmosphere at Martin’s West which was attended by hundreds of enthusiastic party goers.

Each year the annual event recognizes a member or members in the community who have provided significant contributions

to promoting, fostering, and developing the welfare of disadvantaged and underprivileged youth. The crowded dance floor was evidence of the enjoyment of guests who mastered the line dances and kept the Charles Arnette band busy for most of the night.

The Baltimore Chapter of the Continentals presented the Memorial Award to Dr. Anne O. Emery, director, Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy. Every scholar at the Academy is encouraged to strive toward excellence in academics, character, athletics, Robotics, STEM and competition in every arena.

Joi Dabney is president of the Baltimore Continentals; Cecelia King, chair of awards; Lynda Brown, vice president.

Barbara Lee, Owen Lee, Barbara Blount Armstrong

Charter members Margaret Turner and Frances Branch

Corey Hill, Stephanie Hill, Doris Cole, Harry PeakerDaughter-father, Cassandra Roper, Herbert Roper

Dena Wane, Jacqueline Golden, Rosalee Roper

Doris Smith and daughter Carla Weaver

Florence Blount, national president, Brenda Johnson, ER director

Gwendolyn Lindsay, Ellen Dolvey Howard, Jill Johnson, Lynda Brown, Sheila Stevens, Stephanie Lee, Gladys Rice, Lorna Rice Byers

Helen McDonald, Adolph McDonald, William Walker, Rose Wiggins

Ivy Gates-Smith, Danard Smith enjoy the Wobble line dance

Madeline Campbell leads the Continentals in the singing of their National Song

Marco Merrick and Theresa McNeal

Norma Ross, Laverne Crawford Johnson, Ruth Ross

Roland Merritt, Dr. Thomas De Laine

Roland Merritt, Janet Merritt, Delores Cook, Ralph Cooke

Standing, Leroy Jackson, Brenda Baker, E. Gaines Lansey, LaVerne Naesea, Erthman Naesea. Seated, Jacqueline Robinson, Deborah Taylor

Photos by A. Lois De Laine, Ed.D.

Photos by A. Lois De Laine, Ed.D.

The Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority celebrated its rockin’ New Year’s Eve gala at the BWI Marshall Hilton Hotel in elegance and style.

The festivities began in the afternoon with small chatter and moved to the scrumptious pre-dinner hors d’oeuvres offering. During dinner and prior to the New Year celebration count-down, one could feel the festive and partying momentum building.

At the stroke of midnight, as the Impresarios Band played, hundreds of noise makers, horns and whistles were tooted by the crowd of party-goers as they sipped sparkling champagne and kissed their partners.

Believe it or not, a second meal was offered after midnight to guests that felt the need for tradition, including black eyed peas, collard greens, rice, cornbread, fried chicken and many desserts.

The event, according to guests, was “top-notched” and provided the atmosphere that left an indelible positive impression for making year 2013 a great one.

Al Adams and Bernadette Adams

Anastatia Benton, James Benton, Deleanor Harris-Boone

Delores and Bill Jessup

Dr. Russell Kelley

Matthew Bridgers and Elesha Bridgers

Jon Petitt and Mieya Duvall-Petitt

Kathy Cain, Shirley Stokes, Minnye King

Landa McLaurin, Robert DeShazo

Larry and RhondaAlexander

Laura Phillips Byrd and Dr. Eugene Byrd sealed 2013 New Year with a kiss.

Maurice and Shirley Robinson

Quianna Cooke, Eleanor P. Matthews, president, Baltimore Alumnae, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Gasson Bradford Randolph and Diane ThompsonRandy Long and Barbara Banks

Robert and Gladys Rice

Senator Verna Jones Rodwell and Dr. Gary Rodwell

Shirley Swaffordand Wesley Stubbs

Zane and DonnaCypress

Veronica and Michael Tubman

January 12, 2013 - January 18, 2013, The Afro-American B1

The Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd was among the speakers who appeared at the Northern Virginia chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s 28th Annual Luncheon Forum in late November, 2012 at the Hilton

Mclean Tyson Corner Hotel, McLean, Va. The chapter was chartered in 1984.

Photos by Rob Roberts

Marlene Smalley, Regina Jordan, Carlotta Johnson-Pugh, Carol Robinson and Brenda McCleary

Dr. Alice Howard, Founder/President, Prince William County Coalition of 100 Black Women; Vilka Gay, Mary Lively, Bernice Vaughn and Beverly Johnson

Members of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, NOVA Chapter

Guests entering the venue

Standing - Roxie Curtis, Natalia Bishop, Kathryn Richardson and Vera Kendrick; Seated - Beverly Johnson, Connie Anderson and Mary Lively

Forum panelists: Rev. Chenda Lee, Rev. Dr. Delores Carpenter and Rev. A. Colette Rice

Forum moderator Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd and panelist Rev. Dr. Jeanne Melvin-Martin, Esq.

Standing: Torrenie Hill, Rosalyn Wilson, Kali Caldwell and April King; Seated: Rhonda Bray, Nicole Venable, Nicole Ennix and Sheila McRay

Elder Francis Wood, E. Carita Tompkins, Caroline Lang-Hill and Kimberly Parker

Tap dancer Quynn Johnson and KanKouran West African Dance Ensemble were featured at the Dance Institute of Washington’s annual Kwanzaa observance Dec. 27 and 28 at the Columbia Heights Education Campus in Northwest, Washington, D.C.. As it celebrated its 25th anniversary, the Dance Institute staged dances that were choreographed to the seven principles of Nguzo Saba.

Photos by Rob Roberts

Young community students prepping for their performance

The pouring of the Ancestral Libation

Pre-professional students perform to the “Sosonnet”

The program narrator; Maryam Fatima Foye

Positive Directions Through Dance students performing

Special guest tap performance to “Roots and Rhythms” by Quynn JohnsonKanKouran West African Dance

Company Drummers

Pre-professional Students, levels ll & lll performing

“Hip Hop in Oz” performed by Positive Directions Through Dance students

KanKouran West African Dancers