May 18, 2013 - May 24, 2013, The Afro-American B1

Former president Bill Clinton told more than 2,600 Howard University graduates that they should confront adversity with resilience and use their talents to transform the world. Clinton addressed the 145th Commencement Convocation at Howard University on May 11. During the ceremony, Howard bestowed 2,687 degrees, including 1,030 graduate, professional and certificate degrees and 1,675 degrees at the undergraduate level. In addition, Howard conferred 96 doctoral degrees. Howard also granted honorary doctorate degrees to Patricia McGuire, president of Trinity Washington University; Marie C. Johns, deputy administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and former president of Verizon Washington; entrepreneur and philanthropist Sheila C. Johnson, who also owns three professional sports franchises; and the late Jack F. Kemp, who was a Republican congressman, cabinet secretary and a member of Howard’s Board of Trustees. Yes, we have made it: Tynisha Sudberry, Shaunte’ Wilches, Keyria Jefferies and Tiffany Mungin

Yes, we are members of the class of 2013; it’s graduation day

Among the many graduates, Dr. Janice Smith, PhD, who currently is the chief of staff at the Greater Washington Urban League

Rev. Gwendolyn Boyd, national president, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and, chair of the Delta centennial planning committee

Dr. Paula Whetsel Ribeau (right) and daughter

Rep. Elijah Cummings speaks with his daughter, Jennifer Cummings, an alumna of Howard

Mr. and Miss Howard University, Leovina Charles and Chinedu Okpara

Former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder (left), Dr. Sidney A. Ribeau, president, Howard University and A. Charles Rand, Chair of Howard’s board of directors

Family members and friends who came from far and near to attend the commencement ceremonies

L. Douglas Wilder (left) and Dr. Sidney Ribeau (right) make a special presentation to former president William Clinton, commencement speaker

50-year alumni class members

We have now crossed a landmark in our academic lives; we are graduates!

Byron Gibson, who received a degree in finance with his father, Earl Gibson

Capt. Oghre Ikanowe, Kelechi Nwankwo, Afunrhe Oghre-Ikanowe and Lt. Oghre-Ikanowe

Photos by Rob Roberts

May 18, 2013 - May 24, 2013, The Afro-American B1

Lovely Lady Boutique model

Jennie Miles, Barbara Cooper, Vivian Bernett and Virginia Jones

Mary Rawlings, Lynette Holly, Erma Givens, Arvin Lyons, Arvin Rawlings and Kimberly Rawlings

Tracy Givens, Erica Jenerette, Rebecca Rawlings Scott and the mayor’s mother, Nina Rawlings

Joe Grissom, Evelyn McIntosh and Charlene Fields

The Big Sisters Club of Baltimore

Marian Hutchins, Linda Montgomery, Eudora Manley, Chris Cann

Model Adriene Cilbert Elias

Cynthia Jones, Elizabeth Cooper, Leslie Ogumgbemi and Myrna Jackson-Cann

Big Sisters President Charlene Cooper Boston

Jodi and Riley Johnson, Peggy Ammons and Erin Bernett

Models showcasing the unique fashions at the event

Eric Jefferson

Doris and Bill Cooke and Verna Brogden

Young chefs serve their creations

Chef William Lambert

Chef J.D. Howard

Chef Frank Collins

Debbie Rock, Mary Demory, Phyllis Reese and Diane Hocker

Winston Ellis

Attey Harper, Alexis Roggerson and Tara Brown

Chef and Mrs. Darryl Pearson

Lt. Gov Anthony Brown and Tabb Bishop

President Emeritus Dr. Anne O. EmeryYolandra Johnson,

Kathy Newson, Nina McFadden and Ja-Zette Marshburn

State Del. Shirley Nathan-Pulliam and Thelma Daily NCNW president

Chef Gregg Holland

Chef Rev. Jamal Bryant and Ed Chow, Maryland Secretary of Veteran Affairs

Chef Joseph Walker

Stacie Mclaren and Sharish Parker

Chefs Tyron Cloyd, Charles Sydnor III, Thomas Jackson and Kevin Wilmer

Dep. Sec. of Veterans Affairs Richard Lane, Morgan Board of Regents member Charles W. Griffin and Baltimore City Council President Bernard Jack Young

J. Laws Nickens Jr.

The Big Sisters Club of Baltimore recently hosted a luncheon, Puttin’ on the Glitz, with a fashion show featuring

selections from Lovely Lady Boutique of

Washington, D.C. and

furs from Fur Salon of Baltimore, May 4 at the Forum Caterers in Baltimore.

The club that started with twelve members was founded in 1937 by AFRO columnist Betty Murphy Moss and Bea L. Wright.

It has a history of generosity, having raised funds for various organizations and activities to enhance the lives of young people.

Photos by Bill Tabron

Gourmet Men of Distinction (Men Who Cook) was sponsored, May 5, by the National Coalition of 100 Women, Baltimore

Metropolitan Chapter. The 21st annual tasting event, touted as one of Baltimore’s best, attracted volunteer chefs who brought

their culinary A game and challenged each other to the quickest disappearance of their signature dishes.

Proceeds from this event support advocacy programs for young women in the community including girls in gang violence, HIV/AIDS Awareness

and professional mentoringLaura Morris Knight is the

current president of the group whose mission is to develop leaders who will help to rebuild

their communities and redirect the

energies of younger Black people who live in those communities.

Photos by Bill Tabron