2013-2014 Spotlight Winners Slide 2 Elegance In Action January
2013 Spotlight Alan Jones born in Salisbury, MD loves to guide and
Mentor young people. He has coached basketball for 13 years. Over
the past 3 years he has shown his passion for helping others by
working with the Susan G Komen foundation. He has allowed God to
order his steps as he diligently strives to do God's will. Allan is
currently spear-heading a fundraising event for breast cancer
awareness. Come out and show your support. Lady Presidents hoops
for the cure January 19, 2013 Woodrow Wilson High School 1401
Elmhurst Lane Portsmouth VA 3:30pm-10:30pm Slide 3 Elegance In
Action February 2013 Spotlight Elegance in Action would like to
congratulate, Cynthia White, on her recognition with Sentara
Medical Group. Cynthia White, Financial Counselor, received a
voicemail from a patient asking a billing question, and when she
called back, she noticed that the patient's speech was different
from his voice on the answering service. Instead of dismissing it,
she asked if the patient was ok and whether his wife was home... to
which the patient responded, "dizzy, call wife." At that point, the
line disconnected, and when Cynthia did get the patient back on the
phone, he was not coherent. Immediately, Cynthia contacted two
nurses, Jane O' Bryant, LPN, and Cee Cee Urquhart, LPN, who engaged
to assess the patient and relay that information to 911. In the
meantime, Cynthia found the patient's wife's phone number so she
could be alerted to the situation. When Dr. Rose spoke with the
wife the next day, she was extremely grateful for the efforts of
the team to ensure her husband was not alone and that he got the
care he needed. Cynthia was awarded with the Star Award, the Ace
Award & the Safety Award. Slide 4 Elegance In Action March 2013
Spotlight Ron Davis has been working with youth in the Hampton
Roads area for 6 years. He is a mentor, a basketball coach and a
youth advocate. Ron was inspired to make a difference in the lives
of young people because of his own childhood experiences. Being
raised in a single parent home he has learned that you can rise
above your circumstances. This is also the message that he shares
with the youth he encounters daily. Ron is the head of A Day in the
Life foundation. Part of the foundations vision is that you do not
know what a child is going through until you take the time to
listen. Share a day in the life of a child when you share your time
with a child and show that you care. Ron has participated in back
to school drives, Toy drives for Christmas and mentoring foster
children. His next project is a Stop the Violence "basketball
tournament and dance in the month of April to raise awareness of
gun violence and the importance of putting a stop to it. If you
would like to help Ron Davis with any of his life changing
endeavors feel free to email him at [email protected]. Elegance
in Action would like to showcase Ron as our spotlight of the month
and encourage him to continue making a difference in the community.
Slide 5 Elegance In Action April 2013 Spotlight Anitra Yancey-Hayes
is the Elegance In Action April spotlight of the month. She is the
talented artist behind the Elegance In Action logo. Anitra captured
the essence of the organization using her creativity in logo
artistry. Anitra is a graduate of Norfolk State University with a
degree in Fine Arts Education. She has displayed her artistic
talents by creating sculptures, hairstyles, wall murals and other
projects. Her talents can be seen throughout the Hampton Roads
area. There are beautiful murals showcased in local businesses and
schools. She is currently contributing to her community as a
teacher at Crestwood Middle school and heading the schools Art
Club. Elegance In Action recognizes her for all of her
contributions. Slide 6 Elegance In Action May Spotlight Dr. Shannon
Harrington has been a nursing educator for 6 years and has 11 years
of acute care experience in medical surgical nursing in a variety
of settings including both in-patient and out-patient settings. She
is currently a Nursing Lecturer at Old Dominion University and
teaches a variety of courses online and face to face in the
traditional baccalaureate program and the RN to BSN program. She
obtained a Bachelors in the Science of Nursing from Old Dominion
University in 2002 and a Masters in Nursing with a concentration on
Health Systems Management from the University of Virginia in 2005.
She received her doctorate in nursing from the University of
Virginia in May of 2012. Her dissertation research explored
disparities in breast cancer patients perceptions of nursing care
quality in out-patient settings. Her research interests include:
healthcare disparities, quality of care, breast cancer, health
promotion/disease prevention, and the impact of poor nutrition and
lack of exercise on health outcomes. Dr. Harrington will start a
post-doctoral fellowship at the Harvard Cancer Center, Dana Farber
Institute and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the
University of Massachusetts Boston-this fall. During her
fellowship, she will explore the relationship between breast
cancer, health disparities, and the obesity epidemic. In addition
to conducting research and teaching, she has been a national
presenter at the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Congress in 2011,
speaking on disparities among African American women with breast
cancer. She will present a poster containing her dissertation
research findings at this years ONS Congress 2013 in Washington,
D.C. Dr. Harrington continuously volunteers with the Susan G. Komen
Tidewater Affiliate, and the American Cancer Society. She is an
active member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, and
severed as a delegate in 2010. Slide 7 Elegance In Action June 2013
Spotlight Shirelle Davis has been a member of Elegance In Action
since 2011. She is currently the treasurer and chaplain for the
organization and has proven to be a gem. Not only does she hold
multiple offices in the organization she is a wife, a mother, a
business owner, a prayer warrior and a committed friend. How can a
person accomplish so much? It is done from the heart. Shirelle is a
person that genuinely shows that she cares and through her caring
spirit she is able to spread sunshine in the lives of others. You
can find Shirelles smiling face at Styles Unlimited, which is the
salon she owns in Virginia Beach, Virginia. You will be sure to
receive an encouraging word and a phenomenal hairstyle. Not only
does she take pride as a business owner but Shirelle has shown
remarkable stamina and dedication as a member of Elegance In
Action. She has sold the most tickets for many Elegance In Action
events and always displays enthusiasm for every project she
supports. When someone is extraordinarily special it is hard to
hide and that is why she is our featured spotlight of the month.
Elegance In Action would like to thank Shirelle for all she has
contributed to make this organization a success! Slide 8 Elegance
In Action July 2013 Spotlight Lynne Young is an 8 year breast
cancer survivor. She is an active participant in breast cancer
awareness. Lynne has helped Alan Jones with both of his breast
cancer events and local Susan G. Komen breast cancer events. She
recently finished a breast cancer awareness video. She is a
survivor and a mentor. After experiencing tragedy she became
triumphant and is helping others do the same. Elegance In Action
honors Lynne Young. Slide 9 Elegance In Action August 2013
Spotlight Carla Diggs was nominated by her sister Geneva Ross.
"Carla Diggs is my oldest sister and the hardest working woman I
know. She is a single parent of two children, a full-time soldier,
a full-time student and restaurant owner. She just opened her
restaurant business called Louisiana Seasoning Cajun Restaurant.
This may seem a great deal to all of us but she does this with
ease. She even has time to volunteer as well. She will be
graduating from college this month and my whole family is proud of
her. She is the best sister that anyone can ask for because she is
understanding, patient and kind. She is always looking for more
ways to help others whether it be her money, time or experiences.
She is well deserving of any award!" Elegance In Action would like
to recognize Carla Diggs for all her note-worthy accomplishments
and encourage her to continue to be an inspiration to others.
Congratulations! Slide 10 Elegance In Action September 2013
Spotlight Slide 11 Elegance In Action October 2013 Spotlight Jason
is the founder of Mentoring Valuable Protgs, Inc. based in Florida.
Mentoring Valuable Protgs, Inc.s mission is to provide Youth
Athletic Development, Academic Responsibility, Career Development,
Health & Wellness Education, and Leadership Skills. Through
mentoring, coaching, and educating, kids develop habits that become
the building blocks of lifes success. MVP does sports clinics,
literacy programs, and teaches life skills to help kids have
confidence in themselves in all aspects of their life. Jason is a
graduate of Stetson University and was a basketball player here
also. He is dedicated to giving back to the community and afford
kids the same opportunity that was given to him while growing up in
New York City. His mission is to help as many kids as possible to
be the best that they can be. Elegance In Action would like to
recognize Jason Alexander-Gilliam for all his note- worthy
accomplishments and encourage him to continue to be an inspiration
to others. Congratulations! Slide 12 Elegance In Action November
2013 Spotlight I, Joanne Booker, would like to nominate Aquilla
(Nicole) Williams for an EIA Spotlight. Nicole works with me and I
noticed that she is always doing special things for her community.
I thought that she would be a good candidate. Below in her own
words are her community contributions. "I just didnt know how
rewarding servicing my community would be until December 2005 when
I participated in setting up an angel tree at my job. I felt like
Santa Claus delivering those gifts to those gracious little faces
and staff. Thats when I knew the most rewarding feeling was giving
back to my community and those in need. So far I have sponsored
several events on my own. I have given away 20 book bags filled
with school supplies to children in need twice. I was able to
contribute to a Thanksgiving event which we gave away over 200
turkeys, 500 chickens, fresh vegetables, and canned goods. I have
sponsored a family during Christmas out of pocket, including a
Christmas tree and trimmings. I have had several resume workshops
for young men in Norfolk area looking for jobs. I have donated 200
juice boxes, several different snack items, and household goods and
cleaners to ForKids network. I volunteered for Young Audiences of
Virginia, Norfolk Zoo, and several feeding the homeless events. In
addition, I put in more than 40 hours assisting with the campaign
for the first African American women, Dr. Ross-Hammond who made
Virginia Beach City council. I am now proud to say I am starting my
own society group called Women Run the World (WRTW) where we will
continue to service and uplift our community any way possible.
Slide 13 Elegance In Action December 2013 Spotlight Slide 14 Alan
Jones Event: Hoops For the cure January 2014 EIA Spotlight Winner
Slide 15 February Spotlight Winner 2014 Elegance In Action, Inc.
would like to recognize Minister Travis Jones as our February 2014
Spotlight. Minister Jones grew up in the City of Norfolk, Virginia
and has 3 children with his wife Danita. He began his spiritual
journey as Associate Pastor under Pastor Mark Hopkins of Living
Word Church. His current church home is Restoration Worship Center
of Chesapeake, Va. with Pastor Lee Marr McFarland. He is member of
National Association of Christian Ministers, American Association
of Christian Counselors and lead the National Day of Prayer in 2009
for the City of Virginia Beach. Minister Travis has had the
wonderful opportunity to serve 6 years of Missionary work in Belize
and Guatemala and continues to volunteer at Union Mission as bible
study teacher. EIA would like to recognize Minister Travis for his
dedication volunteering and creation and work of the Truth Seeker
bible study group, which goes out into the community providing
assistance to the homeless. Slide 16 March 2014 EIA Spotlight
Winner Dr. Elizabeth Locke, Phd, PT. Dr. Elizabeth Locke, PhD, MS,
PT is an academician, licensed physical therapist and health
services researcher. She has practiced physical therapy in the
Commonwealth for 30 years as a clinician and is Director of
Clinical Education for the doctor of physical therapy professional
preparation program in the School of Physical Therapy and
Athl...etic Training at Old Dominion University. She earned a
Bachelor of Science in physical therapy from Virginia Commonwealth
University/The Medical College of Virginia, a Master of Science in
community health education and a Doctor of Philosophy in health
services research from Old Dominion University. In 1994, she became
the first African American physical therapist to be appointed to a
full-time core faculty position in the School of Physical Therapy
at Old Dominion University. In 2008, she was among the first
physical therapists in the Commonwealth of Virginia to earn board
certification in direct access by the Virginia Board of Physical
Therapy. Dr. Locke has published original research in peer-reviewed
journals in the areas of diversity climate, program evaluation and
outcomes measures. Slide 17 Mr. Locke April 2014 Spotlight Winner
Slide 18 Darlene Thourogood EIAs May 2014 Spotlight Slide 19 June
2014 Spotlight Winner Is William Carroll Mr. William Carroll (in
black T-shirt) is pictured here at P.B. Young Elementary School
along with his team assisting with their School Supply Drive The
Ladies of Elegance in Actions would like to congratulate Mr.
Carroll on being June 2014 Spotlight Winner. Mr. Carroll and his
team started a food drive for the tenants of Young Terrace Housing
Project. They also had a school supply drive for the kids at Young
Terrace Elementary School. He is currently working on plans to help
the area homeless. Slide 20 AMII CREEKMUR ELEGANCE IN ACTIONS JULY
2014 SPOTLIGHT WINNER *Amii Creekmur is the owner of Star Struck
Hair & Beauty Styles Salon in Portsmouth Va. where she provides
free hair services to Foster kids. *She is a pursuer with a purpose
and a passion for battered women and AIDS awareness. *She
volunteers for Susan. G. Komen Breast Cancer awareness *Amii gives
blanket drives for the homeless, and book drive for kids. On top of
all of that she still has time for a food drive at Thanksgiving and
a gift drive at Christmas. Slide 21 Angie has spent about 20 years
helping the homeless and the less fortunate. When she was just 16
years old, there was a man named Pappy, that lived under the 15 th
st peer. Angie loved him to pieces. She would go to the beach
almost every day to take him lunch or dinner alone with blankets
and clothes. It started with him but continued on with any homeless
person she came across that needed help. She would carry a backpack
in her truck with extra items to give to the homeless. Angie has
also tried to do volume backpacks with school supplies for the kids
once a season however, because of the lack of donations she can
only do what she can afford with her own funds. Currently she has
managed to get together 10 backpacks to give to the kids and will
be donating them very soon. August 2014 Spotlight Winner Is Angie
Swindell-Davidson
