May 19, 2012 - May 25, 2012, The Afro-American B1

On Saturday, April 14, 2012, the Sisters of Xi Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated hosted their 2012 Fashion Show Fundraiser and Luncheon at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. Over 700 guests attended this Cabaret of Fashions 2012 which showcased elegant fashions presented by professional models of Ida’s Idea Boutique of Washington, D.C. All funds raised from the event support Xi Sigma Omega Chapter’s college scholarships and community service programs. In almost 29 years of existence as a chapter, Xi Sigma Omega has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships. At this year’s luncheon, Xi Sigma Omega awarded ten graduating Montgomery County high school seniors who had distinguished themselves as leaders, excelled academically, and exemplified the meaning of community service. The event was hosted by Ms. Jennifer Donelan of ABC 7/WJLA-TM and attended by Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett.

Mistress of Ceremonies Jennifer Donelan, ABC7/WJLA-TV

Stephonie Jameison, Tracy Salaam, Brandi Fields, Sheila Harrison, Frances Frost, Shari Campbell, Jackie Rose, Rhoshanda Pyles, Charlene Warren Davis, Valerie Coleman and Pearl Coleman

Linda Herndon, Denise McCain, Ora Brown-Tilghmen, Wilhelmina Herndon, Gwendolyn Jackson, Olivia Batts and Beverly Herndon

Seated: Marya F. Ricks, Karen Anthony and Denise Deleaver; Standing: Jackie Brown, Paiqe Monk, Morgan Brown, Barbara Easterling and Joyce Baker

Scholarship winners: Joshua Berge, Nicole Wright, Saro Gahima, Emelia Mensah, Zoe Afful, Lionel Tchechuenl Pelap, Ramanda Graham, Marsha Richard and Precious Teasley

Mrs. Catherine Leggett and Montgomery County Executive Isaiah Leggett

Chapter president Roberta M. Haines presents the 50/50 raffle winner, John Cole

Fashions on the runway...just styling

The Northern Virginia (NOVA) Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., a 501c non-profit organization, participated in the George Mason University Relay for Life on April 21, 2012. This event, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is a life changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease. For over 12 evenings and overnight hours, the NOVA Chapter team ensured at least one chapter member was walking or running on the track “holding the torch for a cure.” They were joined by Girl Scout Troops 1797 and 5223 from Alfred Street Baptist Church, Alexandria, VA. The NOVA Chapter Health Initiative Committee Chairperson, Pamela James, and the Community Service Chairperson, Sharon Martin, along with their committee members, organized the fundraising effort that raised over $1,700 to support cancer research. Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2 to 19, dedicated to nurturing future leaders by supporting children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty. The Northern Virginia chapter was chartered in 1966; Jacqueline Duplessis is chapter president.

Special to the Afro by Raynard Jackson

Russ Parr’s latest movie, The Undershepherd is riveting and engaging. The movie was independently written, produced, and directed by Parr. Parr’s career has spanned from a stand-up comic, recording artist, top-rated, nationally-syndicated radio host heard weekdays by 3.2 million listeners in 25 cities across America, to independent filmmaker. The backdrop of the movie is set in the Black church, the tale of two ministers, LC (played by Isaiah Washington) and Roland (played by Lamman Rucker); they are best friends, brothers in Christ, ambitious, up and coming ministers who are paying their dues as humble servants in the ministry. Serving under the leadership of Dr. Ezekiel Canon (played by Bill Cobbs), the church’s well respected yet up in age pastor, LC and Roland both have dreams of one day becoming the eighty-year-old’s successor at First Baptist Church. The feeble Dr. Canon stubbornly refuses to step-down, forcing the two young ministers to make pivotal decisions about their futures in the ministry--decisions that will ultimately fray the fabric of their deeply woven friendship. Though the movie’s backdrop is the Black church, it is not an indictment of the Black church but rather an indictment on human frailty. The church and religion are not bad things, but anytime you introduce humans into the equation, bad things can happen. Russ Parr takes a common experience, going to church, and weaves it into a series of complex stories, while taking you on a mentally exhausting roller coaster ride that will make you laugh, cry, and smile; sometimes simultaneously. At the recent screening of the movie at the AFI Theater in Silver Spring, MD, several of the lead cast members were in attendance.

Lesleigh Martin, Porha Randall, Jackie Rigmaiden, Aleecia Holloway, Danielle Rollins, Tiara Jones, Sharon Martin and Josephine Rigmaiden

Emily Aibis speaks about her cancer survivor journey.

Walking for health and fitness…

NOVA Jack & Jill chapter members leading the Relay for Life

3 1/2 year old Arianna did the walk with her mother, chapter member Maida Piggee.

Deneen Snow, Natasha Lopez, Maida Piggee, Laguardia Myers and Jospehine Rigmaiden (President elect)

Raynard Jackson, writer/producer/director Russ Parr and Courtney Jackson

Cast members Lamman Rucker and Clifton Powell

Elise Neal, Robinne Lee, Edgar Brookins

Augustin Mutemberezi, Dr. Reginald Robinson, Isaiah Washington and former Philadelphia Eagle John Booty

Guests in the Lobby of the AFI Theater for the screening with actress Malinda Williams(center)

All photos this page by Rob Roberts

The Montgomery County Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) held an “Afternoon of Music Luncheon” at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, Md. Under the leadership of Dr. Maxine Jenkins, section president and the planning committee, guests were treated to an afternoon of gaiety, door prizes, a hand dance demonstration, a sumptuous meal all topped off with the smooth listening sounds of the Jonathan Davis Band with vocalist Tamika Moore. Some of the special guests in attendance included Mrs. Catherine Leggett, wife of Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and Andrea Bray of WPFW FM Radio. The Section extends its appreciation to the patrons and guests who, through their generosity and attendance, contribute their continued community service programs.

Delores Lincoln Willis, Maxine C. Jenkins and Margie Sanders

The Jonathan Davis Band with Tamika Moore on vocals

Seated: Patricia Butler; Dr. Maurice Butler; Lercy Butler; Patricia Wilson and April Duncan - Standing: Sprurgeon Stanard; Joan Stanard; Ernest Butler, Jr.; Tony Winston; Spencer Shelton; Sharron Mason and Maurice Mason

Hand Dance demonstration by William Parker and LaWanda Wells of the Praise Dance Academy

Pearlie Lee and Reggie Wingfields

Doing the latest dance craze: the Wha-Bul

Katie Whitley, Jonae Dawkins, Faye Porter-Larche and Mrs. Catherine Leggett, wife of Montgomery County Executive, Ike Leggett

Joan Stanard, the big winner for most tickets sold, and Janice Jeter