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Recent News
From the May-June 2007 Issue
Outstanding Achiever: Mary Ashanti
President Of The Wicomico County NAACP Branch & State Executive Committee Member
The Outstanding Achiever for this issue is Mary Ashanti of Salisbury. She has served as President of the Wicomico County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for ten years and was honored by the branch for her ten years of outstanding service last February.Ashanti also serves on the executive committee for the Maryland State Conference of NAACP Branches and is a cocoordinator of the Maryland Eastern Shore Coalition of NAACP Branches. A member of the NAACP since 1974 and a Life Member since 1994, Ashanti has held several Branch, Regional, and State posts. She has been honored for her NAACP service with the NAACP Unsung Hero Award in 1988 and 1989. She was also honored with a Leadership Award at the Branch's Heritage Program held last February.
A community activist since the 70's, Ashanti has championed the NAACP's National and State agendas including better education for youth and better school attendance, voter registration and education, home ownership and tenants rights, the elimination of police profiling, and the protection of civil rights. For her community service, she received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award from the Tri-County Organizations Coalition in 2004 and the 2006 Outstanding Community Leader of the Year Award from the Pi Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Pi Fraternity, Inc.
Mrs. Ashanti is a retired Registered Nurse who still consults for Thomas Patient Care ill Salisbury. She earned her BS in Nursing Degree from Salisbury U. after finishing Cambridge (MD) Hospital School of Practical Nursing and receiving an AA Degree in Nursing at the Dorchester County Board of Education. Ashanti is certified for Psychiatric and Medical Health Nursing practices. Her nursing career included 18 years at Eastern Shore Hospital and twelve years at Holly Center, retiring from State service and teaching at Wor-Wic Community College, directing the Health Assistant Training Project at SHORE-UP!, and training nurses at Deer's Head Hospital Center and Thomas Patient Care.
Mrs. Ashanti also served in the US Army Researve from 1974 to 1977. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the Hurlock Muslim Center executive board. She has served on the Wicomico County Department of Social Services Advisory Committee and Wicomico County Housing Authority Board of Comissioners. Born in North Carolina, Mary grew up in Salisbury. She is the daughter of Beatrice Fountain and Christopher Gibbs of Salisbury. Married to Asmar Ashanti, the couple has three children.
The White House Honors Black Tuskegee Airmen
Members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen received the recognition that many felt was long overdue -- they got Congressional Gold Medals from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and recognition from President Bush. The awarding ceremony was held on March 29, 2007 at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda and attended by hundreds of former airmen, many in their trademark red blazers and emblems.Of the 996 pilots trained at Tuskegee, 450 served in combat during World War II, destroying many enemy targets in Europe and North Africa. They were the fIrst Black military airmen dispelling the belief that Blacks can't fly. A movie portraying their story was eventually made in 2003 staring Lawrence Fishburn. Two of the pilots Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. and Daniel 'Chappie' James eventually became four-star generals in a US military integrated by President Truman's order.
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), was the major proponent of the Congressional honor. His resolution to award the medal passed The House by a vote of 400 to O. President Bush and his former Secretary of State, Colin Powell, were joined for the ceremony by some of their administration's harshest critics, including Senators Levin and Reid, and House Speaker Pelosi. The Gold Medal is the highest honor the Congress can give to civilians.
The Wicomico County Housing Authority Hires A New Director
Narcinda Church gets the post
The Wicomico County Housing Authority has named E. Narcinda Church, as its new executive director. A native of Quantico, MD, Church has been the Senior Occupancy Specialist at the Housing Authority since 1998. She had served as acting executive director since the departure of the previous executive director in September 2006."I am determined to attract more funds and technical assistance to make this Authority a success," said Church. "Too many people need our services. Wicomico County cannot afford to loose this low income housing resource."
Church has completed several HUD training programs during her employment at the Housing Authority. She is uniquely qualified to lead the embattled housing agency's turnaround effort since she knows the problems, the staff, and the tenants. Her loyalty to the agency and the community is unquestioned. A 1973 graduate of James M. Bennett Senior High School and the Wickomico County Vocational Center, Church studied at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore for two years. She worked her way up to a management position at
Kmart Corporation during her 26 years there before she joined the Housing Authority.
The daughter of Mary S. Jolley and the late Wilson Dashiell, Narcinda is the mother of one son. She is a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Quantico, MD.
Somerset's Kermit Cottman Succums
The last supervisor of Black schoolsSomerset County's last supervisor of Colored Schools, Kermit Atlee Cottman, passed away April 2, 2007 at the age of 96. The long-time educator started his career in 1936 and came to Somerset County in 1939 to be principal of Greenwood Elementary School and High School in Princess Anne. He was named supervisor of Somerset County's Black schools in 1947. He served in that position until school intergration in 1969 when he became supervisor of secondary schools, the position that he held until his retirement in 1978. He was buried in John Wesley Cemetery in Princess Anne on April 9, 2007.
Juneteenth To Be Celebrated June 15th-16th
This year's African American Heritage Festival celebrating Juneteenth in Salisbury will be held at the Billy Gene Jackson, Sr. Park on June 15th & 16th. The Friday activities start at 5 pm and end at 9 pm. Saturday's activities start at lOam and end at 7 pm.Activities include displays, historical reenactments, live music, step team and liturgical dance performances, soul food, arts and crafts vendors, health screenings, information booths, games and amusements, face painting, and more. The event, spearheaded by the Alpha Phi Alpha Sorority, Inc. is cosponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Delta sigma Omega Sorority, The Links, Maryland African American Pride Magazine, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and area Prince Hall Masonic Lodges. For more info, visit the website: www.akadso1947.org
La Verne Johnson Elected To The Crisfield City Council
The Crisfield City Council appointed LaVerne Johnson to the City Council to fill the seat vacated as a result of incumbent councilman Percy Purnell being elected mayor in the city elections last spring. She received the highest number of votes of those who ran for a council seat and were not elected. The Council now consists of more than one Black member for the first time.A native of Crisfield, Johnson is the daughter of Ms. Gladys Campbell. She is a graduate of Crisfield High School and has five children. Johnson is the supervisor of Patient Registration and Communications at McCready Memorial Hospital in Crisfield where she has been employed for the past 17 years. Prior to that, she worked at Somerset County Community Services (formerly Somerset County Developmental Center) in Marion, MD. She still maintains her DDA (Developmental Disability Association) certification and volunteers at the Center.
Active in her church and cO'mmunity, Johnson is a member of Shiloh United Methodist Church in Crisfield where she has served as secretary for 19 years and has served on the PPRC, lay leadership, and finance committees. She has also worked with youth programs over the years. Her civic work includes having served on the City Planning Commission which sparked her interest in seeing a change in City government.
Morris & Cane Reelected To Their Councils
Theresa Morris was reelected to her seat on the Hebron Town Commission and Honiss Cane Jr. was reelected to his seat on the Pocomoke City Council in their respective municipal elections. The Hebron elections were held in April and the Pocomoke City were held in January.Maryland Passes Bill Of Apology For Its Role In Slavery
The Maryland Legislature pass a bill earlier this year apologizing for the State's role in the enslavement of thousands of African Americans prior to 1864 when the State abolished slavery. The resolution expressed "profound regret" for the State having allowed "trafficked in human flesh.""Hopefully we can have some discussions on slavery and the impact that it left and whether or not there should be some remediation based on slavery and its lingering effect on the people," said MD State Senator Nathaniel Exum of Prince George's County who was lead sponsor of the resolution. Legislatures in Virginia and North Carolina had already approved simular resolutions. Other States considering such actions include Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, and Missouri. The City of Richmond, VA recently passed a resolution of apology.
Tia Jackson To Head Women's Basketball At Washington University
She once starred at Mardela High School.The University of Washington women's basketball program entered an exciting new era on April 6, 2007 with the appointment of Tia Jackson as the school's head coach, according to the University's press release. A native of Salisbury, MD, Jackson was an All-Conference and honorable mention high school All-America for Mardela High School after a 3,108 points scoring career there.
Jackson goes to Washington U. after spending the last two seasons as an assistant women's basketball coach at Duke University, where she was considered by many experts as of the top recruiters in the country. She helped lead the Blue Devils to the NCAA championship game in 2006 and the NCAA Sweet Sixteen this past season. During her coaching career, Jackson was an assistant coach at Stanford and UCLA.
A 1995 graduate of the University of Iowa, Jackson helped lead the Hawkeyes to four top-25 rankings in five seasons before earning her bachelor's degree. Upon graduation, Jackson accepted a position as an assistant coach at Virginia Commonwealth. Following her first year as an assistant at VCU, she was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury and played in the WNBA's inaugural season in 1997. She helped lead the Mercury to the first ever WNBA title under Olympian and Basketball Hall of Fame honoree Cheryl Miller.
"I am extremely excited to be a part of the academic and athletic excellence for which this university is known," said Jackson. "This is an extraordinary opportunity, filled with a wonderful new challenge."
UMES News: Spring Commencement Set For Friday, May 18th
 Eugene W. Faison Jr. |
Gansler, elected on November 7, 2006, to succeed the retiring J. Joseph Curran Jr., served as Montgomery County's chief prosecutor for eight years prior to that. He has an unparalleled record of experience as a State's Attorney, former Assistant United States Attorney and private litigator. He was also an outstanding student, graduating cum laude from Yale University. He received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law and is a member of the Bar in both Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Honorary degree recipient Eugene W. Faison Jr., will receive the Doctor of Public Service during the ceremony. Faison is chairman and chief executive officer of Equals Three Communications, Inc., a 25-year-old, award winning advertising, public relations, multi-cultural outreach and marketing company based in Bethesda, MD. His company has been awarded the Workplace Excellence Seal of Approval by the Greater Washington D.C. Area's Alliance for Workplace Excellence seven years in a row.
UMES News: Annual Honors Convocation Recognizes Top GPA Student
Some 426 University of Maryland Eastern Shore students received special recognition for academic excellence at the 54th annual UMES Honors Convocation ceremony this month. The keynote speaker was Associate Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment Management Dr. James M. White Jr., a 1982 graduate of the University.In addition to receiving honors for academic achievement, the following students received distinction in their fields of study: Robert J. Henry Jr., Dept. of Agriculture; Tiara M. Butler, Dept. of Human Ecology; Obeng-Adjei, Dept. of Natural Sciences; Krystal Williams, Dept. of Criminal Justice; Ashley T. Ward, Dept. of Education; Evan Burton, Dept. of School English and Modern Languages; Arionne Carroll, Dept. of Fine Arts; Channon Adams, Dept. of Social Sciences; Kristen Butler, Dept. of Business, Management and Accounting; Stephen Alt, Dept. of Engineering and Aviation Sciences; Rachel Andrews, Dept. of Hotel and Restaurant Management; Scott Mays, Dept. of Mathematics and Computer Science; Reginald Asare, Dept. of Technology; De'Maris Hannon, Dept. of Exercise Science; Lakeesha Franklin, Dept. of Physician Assistant; and Karen Mohler, Dept. of Rehabilitation Services.
Receiving even greater distinction, in their schools of study, were Nyamekye Obeng-Adjei, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences; Krystal Williams, School of the Arts and Professions; Kristen Butler, School of Business and Technology; and Lakeesha Franklin, School of Health Professions.
UMES Dinner Theatre: A Night At The Theater - Motown and Mo'
This year's production at the Annual UMES Dinner Theatre was "Motown and Mo'," an original musical by UMES Drama Club Director Dr. Della Dameron-Johnson. It showcased the fantastic artists who made the Motown label famous and other well-known artists of that era. The audiences were treated to three nights of nostalgia for those who grew up during that era, and enlightenment for those who were born after that. The production played April 12th 13th, & 14th.The crowds that attended were treated to a scrumptious buffet dinner provided by the UMES Hotel and Restaurant Management students. They clapped, yelled, and sang along as the performers did outstanding performances of old school favorites.
UMES Dinner Theatre
NYSP At UMES For The 33rd Year
The UMES Athletic Department will host the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) this summer for the 33rd consecutive year. It will run from June 26 to July 19, 2007, Mon. - Thu., 8am until 2pm. The program will continue to provide boys and girls ages 10-16 with academics, sports skill instructions, and sports competition to improve their physical fitness and health habits; increased awareness of career opportunities that exist in math and! or science; and agricultural science and educational opportunities at a college.All participants must apply and be enrolled in the program. Enrollment is limited to 150 and selections will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. The application deadline is May 25, 2007. For more information, contact Project Administrator Beatrice Nelson at 410-651-7763 or 410-651-6623.
2nd Jazz Brunch Sponsored By Mace's Lane High Class Of '58
Mace's Lane High School Class of 1958 sponsored its 2nd Jazz Brunch on March 24, 2007 at the Dorchester IBPOEofW Elks Lodge in Cambridge. The event raises funds for the Edith M. Jolley Scholarship Fund. Entertainment was provided by the Lamont Davidson & Co. Jazz Band of Baltimore and Pritchett Entertainment of Salisbury. The chair of the event was Joyce Richardson and the co-chairs were Sylvia Tilghman and Gloria Parker, who is also Class president. The Class of 1958 meets monthly and has several activities. It donates Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets and money to area churches and needy families. It also sponsors dinner and dance fundraisers and holds class reunions. The 50th Class Reunion will be held in 2008. The Class officers are: Gloria Woolford Parker, president; William Batson, vice president; Joyce Whittington Richardson, Secretary; and Cassandra Holmes, Corresponding Secretary.Andre Stanley opens Family Cutz & Braids in Salisbury
Andre Stanley, better known as "Barber Dre," opened his own shop in Salisbury last December and named it Family Cutz & Braids. It is located at 239 Florida Ave. The barber shop offers a clean and friendly environment for the entire family, according to Dre. He thanks Barber Dre, Jimmy Gates of Perry & Gates Barber Shop for giving him his start in the business of hair care.Sylvan Learning Center Celebrates Its 10th year
Sylvan Learning Center in Salisbury held an open house open March 30, 2007 to celebrate ten years of serving local students. Rural Testing and Learning Center Inc. opened the first center in 1997. Since then it has opened centers in Berlin and Pocomoke and served over 2,400 students. S. Arthur Maonde is the administrative director of Maonde the company.Dr. Carolyn Brooks Is Honored
UMES Dean named one of Maryland's Top 100 Women
The Daily Record has recognized Dr. Carolyn Brooks as one of Maryland's Top 100 Women. She is the Dean of the School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.The honor, now in its l2th year, is designed to recognize the outstanding achievements of professional women who live or work in Maryland. It is bestowed by The Daily Record, a Baltimore-based business newspaper. Honorees are selected both for their professional success and for contributions that better Maryland's communities. This year's recipients will be honored at an awards ceremony 5 p.m. Monday, May 7, at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore.
Dr. Brooks is in illustrious company. Another honoree this year is U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski. UMES President Dr. Thelma B. Thompson was named to the list in 2004. Along with her responsibilities as Dean at UMES, Dr. Brooks is the University's 1890 Research Director. She serves as Chair of the Association of 1890 Research Directors (ARD). Her social activities include being president of The Links' Eastern Shore Chapter. Dr. Brooks received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in biology from Tuskegee University and her Ph.D. in microbiology from The Ohio State University.
Among her numerous awards, Dr. Brooks was a recipient of the Faculty Award for Excellence in Science and Technology from the White House, the Outstanding Educator Award from the MD Association for Higher Education, the Faculty Award for Excellence and Achievement from the UMES National Alumni Association and a number of other university awards for research excellence. Her biography is included in "Distinguished African American Scientists of the 20th Century." She also received the Spirit of Excellence Award for Health from the Delta Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Sorority.
John J. Allen, Jr.
Vice President - Delmarva Power Bay Region
The Vice President for the Delmarva Power Bay Region service territory since June of 2005 is John J. Allen, Jr. He is responsible for building and maintaining community, business and government relationships on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia and in Central and Southern Delaware.Allen is a 26 year veteran of the utility industry. He previously served as the manager of the utility's Customer Care Call Center in Carneys Point, NJ. Allen also managed Training and Performance for the company. He attended Lincoln University and Southwest Bible College and Seminary and holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Theology. His background includes Customer Care Leadership, Organizational Training and Development, Training Instructional Design and Development, Human Performance Technology and Performance Improvement and holds industry certificates for Strategic Leadership. Allen is also a 2006 graduate of Leadership Maryland. He resides in Seaford, Delaware.
A member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Allen's community involvement includes membership on the Greater Salisbury Committee, Chesapeake Bay Girl Scouts Lower Shore Advisory Committee, Tri-County Council's Comprehensive Economic Development Committee, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Business Executive Advisory Council, Salisbury University Shore Energy Steering Committee, and Board of Salisbury Wicomico Economic Development. Delmarva Power, a public utility owned by Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), provides safe, reliable and affordable regulated electric and natural gas delivery services to more than 500,000 customers in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.
Morton Is High School Girl's Basketball Player Of The Year
Mardela High School senior Casey Morton has been named Bayside South Conference High School Girl's Basketball Player of the Year and Daily Times Girl's High School Basketball Player of the Year.She averaged over 28 points and 4.9 assists per game, leading the Warriors to a 25-2 season, 2nd place in the conference, and Conference Coach of the Year honors for its coach, Barbara McCool. Morton also averaged over 28 points her junior year making her the area's leading scorer two years in a row.
The daughter of Dana VanLandingham and Corey Morton, Casey has a twin brother. She plans to stay on the Shore for her college career and has decided she will attend the University of Maryland Eastern Shore next fall.
Dickerson Celebrates 11 Years At Greater Mt. Olive In Cambridge
The members of Greater Mt. Olive Full Gospel Church in Cambridge, MD and their guest celebrated the 11th Pastoral Anniversary of their pastor and overseer, Rev. Dr. Anthony Dickerson, on April 16 - 20, 2007 in their church building at 601 Douglass Street. The four-day event included music, praise, and sermons.
The speaker for Monday, the 16th was Bshp. Dane Coleman of New Hope Baptist Church in Ridgely, MD; for Tuesday, the 17th was Overseer Bonnie Bigelow of Jesus Is Lord Church of Delaware in Selbyville, DE; for Wednesday and Thursday, the 18th and 19th was Bshp. Larry Trotter of United Covenant Churches of Christ from Chicago, IL; and for Friday, the 20th was Bshp. Orlando Wilson of Baltimore's New Antiock Church. Greater Mt. Olive Full Gospel Church is a member of United Covenant Churches of Christ. Rev. Dickerson and his wife, Annette, live in Salisbury. For more information, call 410-228-5910.
Gary Brown Is Crisfield Elks Exalted Ruler
The Exalted Ruler of Crisfield Pride Elks Lodge # 194 I.B.P.O. Elks of the World for 2007 is Gary Brown of Salisbury. The Crisfield native was Leading Knight of the lodge last year. He has held several other positions in the organization. He is also a member of American Legion Post # 145 in Salisbury. The son of Garnett Brown and the late Mary BroWn, Gary served in the US Army for 20 years and has worked at ECI ten years. He is married to Elmira Brown.Crisfield Elks Parade
The Crisfield Elks held their Organization Weekend Parade in Crisfield Sunday, April 22, 2007. The Parade was the public event that highlights the weekend of activities.
The parade attracted participants from across the region and included car and motorcycle clubs, marching units, step groups, and more. Elk dignitaries reviewed and judged the performances. Trophies were awarded to the winners. Other activities included in
the three-day event were the annual ball and a disco.
Crisfield Pride Elks Lodge #194
IBPOEojW 2007 Officers - Crisfield, MD
Exalted Ruler - Gary W. Brown
Leading Knight - Raynond Anderson
Loyal Knight - Greg Smith
Lecturing Knight - Orlando Purnell
Financial Sec. - Andrew Jackson
Treasurer - George Steward, Jr.
Tiler - Milton Smith
Esquire - Marion Milbourne
Inner Guard - James Taylor
Trustees - Darnell V. Doane, Robin O. Ames, Stanford Wise, Sherman Gregory, Walter Banks
Master of Social Session - Randolph Taylor
Chaplain - Oliver Hearn
UMES Business Sthool Exetutive Advisory Countil Selected
(Seated lor) Gains Hawkins (UMES),John Stem, Jr. (sec./treas.), Eileen E. Burza (chair), Alan Newberry (vice chair), Dr.
Emmanuel Acquah (UMES), Dr. Victoria Pilate, and Dr. Ayodele Alade (UMES). (Standing lor) Joseph Morse, Mike
Gershenfeld, Doug Marshall, Edward Urban, Erik Lytikainen, John 1. Allen, Jr., Joseph Ollinger, William Martin, Dennis
Williams, and Rafael Correa. (Not pictured) Bijan Shapoorian, Austin Cox, Mark S. Holloway, Monty Sayler, & Ellen
Trusty.
The UMES School of Business and Technology recently convened its new Executive Advisory Council. The Council will work in partnership with the UMES faculty to enhance the quality of education in the School. The members of the council represent a variety of longestablished and relatively new leading companies in the region.
African Americans on the Council include John J. Allen, Delmarva Power regional vice pres.; Joe Morse, Maryland African American Pride Magazine Publisher/Editor; and Victoria Pilate, Crandell & Rose Publishing House president. The Council is chaired by Eileen E. Burza, Perdue Farms senior vice pres. & chief [mancial officer; the vice chair is Alan Newberry, PRMC pres. & CEO; and the secretary/treasurer is John M. Stem Jr., PKD & Co. president.
"We are looking forward to learning from these successful business leaders," said acting school dean Dr. Ayodele 1. Alade. "And we
will share our resources with them."
Ada Zant Named Branch Manager At Mercantile
Mercantile PeninsulaBank has announced the promotion of Ada Zant of Salisbury to branch manager of its downtown office. She is also a member of the bank's quality council.
Zant joined Mercantile Peninsula Bank in 2002 as a Wicomico County on-call teller. She was promoted to senior teller of the North Salisbury office in 2004 and was selected as a management trainee in June 2005. Active in the Salisbury community, Ada is the music director of New Life Apostolic Church and a member of the Salisbury Jaycees. She earned her BS Degree at Boston University and studied accounting at Salisbury University.
C&L Flooring opens showroom
C&L Flooring LLC, the local Black-owned flooring firm, recently opened its new showroom and office at 230 Cypress St. in Salisbury. The company offers flooring installation and sales. It also provides remodeling of kitchens and bathrooms. Owner Cherise Ball and her husband, Lawrence, built the firm from a flooring installation service to include a retail store with no financial assistance. Her goal is to offer franchises in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia.
Above(l-r) are Lawrence & Cherise Ball and an installer.
