July 7, 2012 - July 13, 2012, The Afro-American B1

Photography by Bill Tabron

More than 500 people from as far away as Texas and Illnois, resplendent in white, gathered recently for a Diner en Blanc in the Woodlawn section of Baltimore.

Organizers included Debbie Allen, Brenda Baker, Sara Gray, William Hankins, Connie Hankins, Stephanie Kinder, Tiffany Tate and AFRO columnist Val Fraling. The dinner was based on the concept that originated in Paris 30 years ago.

Everything was a surprise for the guests except for the date of

the event. Once guests arrived at a designated point, they were told the location of the party. Besides dressing in white, guests were required to bring tables, chairs, white tablecloths, along with a picnic, and be prepared to have a good time.

The Benjamin Banneker Mansion, the site of the party, was beautified by the candelabras, balloons and flowers the guests brought to decorate their tables. Music was provided by vocalist Merle Stanley and DJ Dre.

Allenette Valentine, Scarlet Dawson, Erma and Lewis Sims, Juanita Bellamy and Frankie Wilson

Valerie Fraling and Debbie Allen

Ivalyn Patterson McCann and Sue McCann

Angela King, Yvonne Leacok, Yvonne Leacock Wallin Nancy King and Linette Graham

Ferdinand Leacock, James Patterson and Joseph Collins

Allyson and Andre Owens, Elaine Harris and Gilmore Hart

State Senator and Mrs. Nathaniel McFadden

(front row) Lucy Robinson, Allyson Owens, Cynthia Bell, Sarah Grey, Julie Manley (second row) Tiger Robinson, Andre Owens, Henry Bell, Ken Manley and Ben Barnes

Melva McKenzie and Anderson Ward

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

As part of their ongoing leadership luncheons for women, the Baltimore Links hosted a

“Conversation with Keli Goff” at the Sheraton Hotel in Towson, Md. on June 4. Goff is an author, commentator, and political analyst. Lisa Robinson of WBAL-TV, served as the event’s emcee.

Since emerging as one of the most popular political commentators of the 2008 election, Goff has appeared

on more than 100 national and international news programs, including “The CBS Early Show,” CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360”, “The Joy Bahar Show”, and “Fox and Friends.”

She currently appears regularly on MSNBC’s “The Dylan Ratigan Show” and is the author of

the new novel, The GQ Candidate.The Baltimore Links help sponsor

numerous students on scholarships at colleges throughout the nation from proceeds of their special events.

F. Aileen Taylor, Jean Mann

Josephine Brown, Janie Greenwood Harris, Esq.

Tracey Johnson, Mildred Taylor

Barbara Blount, Dana P. Moore, Esq.

Mary Sue Welcome, Esq., Trina Brown, Patricia Jessamy, Esq.

Charlene Cooper- Boston, PhD, Carolyn H. Cole

Linda H. Taulton, Rosetta Kerr-Wilson, Nikita M. Haysbert

Shirley Kane, Doris Holmes, Doris Cooke, Ruth B. Hunt

Roslyn Smith, Flossie Johnson, Eris Sims

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

Alumna members Laverne Turner, Minnie Smoot, Barbara Owings. Standing Cardrienne Griffin, Jeanette Hairston

Faith Thomas, president, models the black mink stole to be won by some lucky winner

July 7, 2012 - July 13, 2012, The Afro-American B1

The Elevation Experience Committee to Elect Rev. Kathryn G. Brown as the General Secretary/Treasurer, Christian education Department, A.M.E. Zion Church hosted a Men of Distinction Awards Luncheon and

an all-male fashion show at Union Wesley A.M.E. Zion Church in

N.E. D.C. Under the leadership of Barbara Milner and Marjorie Kinard, guests were treated to an afternoon full of fellowship and

sumptuous food, highlighted by the presentation of the Men of Distinction Awards to several “workers

in the vineyard”; men who have made significant contributions to their respective families and communities. They all exhibit the axiom, “we are our brother’s keepers.” The afternoon concluded with male fashion show

that delighted the guests with their strutting up and down the runway. We salute all of the honorees for making a difference.

Award recipient William Outlaw (standing, left), James Williams, Carolyn Williams and Pocahontas Outlaw, wife of William Outlaw

Award recipients; David Richardson; Charles Hart; Jeffery Tribble; William Outlaw and Anthony McBarnette

Award recipients; William Outlaw (left-crop out), Herman Oglesby; Devin Walker and Command Sgt. Maj. Samuel Watkins

Hariett McClenda; Marjorie Kinard, emcee; Marian Walker, Chair, Fund Raising Committee and Rev. Kathryn Brown

The Occasion by Stephanie Perry, Director, Christian Education,Philadelphia-Baltimore Conference, A.M.E. Zion church.

Marjorie Kinard (left) and Rev. Kathryn Brown presents Men of Distinction Award to Navy Capt. Edward Gantt.

Brothers on the runway being urged on by Rev. Brown (right).

Photos by Rob Roberts

The DC premier of the documentary film, “Qualified Yet Single” along with a discussion with filmmaker Dr. Dwayne Buckingham, was held at the historic Avalon Theater in the District. The film explores the

lives of several “well qualified” single Black men who reveal their reasons for being single. The film provided a platform for these men to speak their truths and

provided single Black women with subtle red flags to look for in a “good” man prior to jumping into a relationship. The response from those who were in attendance was mostly positive. Several cast members were in attendance including WPGC Radio Personality, Guy Lambert. The film is available on DVD and there is a book version. For more info, check their website: www.realhorizonsdlb.com

Ebony Larijani, Sopfia Pellegrino, Guy Lambert, WPGC Radio personality and film cast member, Linda and Don Hardester

Popcorn and sodas, ready for the screening: La Shawn Randolph; Cassandra Summers; Orisha Haynes and Michelle Smith.

Cast member Guy Lambert, Dr. Dwayne L. Buckingham, Psychologist, Author and Film Maker and cast member Craig Mathies

Marchel H., Meghan S., Nicole A., Dr. Dwayne Buckingham, Leilani M., Latoya F., and Latoya H.

NBC4 Traffic Reporter, Danella Sealock, Edgar Brookins and Michelle Vessels, both of the AFRO-American Newspapers

Plechette Bampoe and Janelle Bell, holding there copy of the DVD, Qualified Yet Single.

Book signing in the lobby after the screening of the documentary.

Photos by Rob RobertsRandall Evans, Kelly Wright, Reporter/Anchor, FOX News, Sheila Stewart, Director, News/Community Affairs, Radio One-DC, Javall Copes, New Destiny LLC, Michael Melton, Esq., President, 100 Black Men of Greater Washington, DC, and D. Michael Lyles, Executive Director, Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission

Namon Jones, Radio One-DC, Chris Wegmann, Regional VP/General Manager, Radio One and Fred Robinson, Radio One

Panelists: Marcia Griffin, President, HomeFree USA, D. Michael Lyles, Executive Director, Prince George’s County Human Relations Commission and Akosua Tyus, President, Washington DC NAACP

Panelists: Kenneth Clark, President, MD/DC Minority Supplier Development Council, Dr. E. Faye Williams, National Chair, National Congress of Black Women and Michael Melton, Esq., President, 100 Black Men of Greater Washington, DC.

Franklyn Malone, President/CEO, “The 100 Fathers, Inc.” makes a statement about Black culture and morals.

Denise Dixon of the African American Health Program asks a question.

Ronald V. Dellums, former US Congressman(D-CA) and Mayor of Oakland, CA, Fred Robinson and Chris Wegmann, Regional VP/General Manager, Radio One

Catherine Woods, The Women’s Interdependence Network commenting on the treatment of Black women in Black Culture.

The Prince George’s County NAACP held it’s 24th Annual Hester V. King Freedom Fund Dinner and President’s Awards at the Camelot in Upper Marlboro, Md. Under the theme, “Civic Engagement at the Local Level”, the chapter president, Robert “Bob” Ross and the Co-Chairs, Yvonne Lucas and Juanita Miller, provided an evening of networking, superb music, a sumptuous meal and an enlightening keynote speech by Dr. Sidney A. Ribeau, President, Howard University. The highlight of the program came when several organizations were presented with the President’s Award: Croom Vocational School; District 5 Coffee Club; Surrattsville Foundation and the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400. Special welcoming remarks were given by Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and the singing of the Black National Anthem was led by Renee’ Allen. Reginald Thomas, editor of Crisis Magazine was the event’s emcee. After acknowledgements of other special guests, the evening concluded with music by the BlaqOrpheus Band.

Edgar Brookins, Kathi Driver and Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown

Dr. and Mrs. (Paula) Sidney Ribeau, President, Howard university, June White Dillard, Alma Whetsel and Taylor Couch

Avis Thomas-Lester, AFRO Executive Editor, Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and Ebony Andrews, Miss Black MD USA 2012

Maj. Lizbeth McMannes, Chief Mark Magan, Deputy Chief Hector Valez and Maj. Everett Sesker

Vicki Williams of the Surrattsville Foundation received the Freedom President’s Award from Robert Ross, chapter president.

Chapter president Robert Ross presents Freedom President’s Award to Carolyn Lowe, District 5 Coffee Club.

Chapter president Robert Ross presents the Freedom President’s Award to Thomas McNutt, President, United Food & Commercial Workers Local 400.

Renee Allen, Edgar Brookins, Robert Ross, Dr. and Mrs. Sidney Ribeau, Alma Whetsel, Avis Thomas-Lester and Taylor Couch

Photos by Rob Roberts

Radio One DC Stations (93.9)-WKYS-FM, (104.1)-WPRS-FM, (102.3)-WMMJ-FM, (1340)-WYCB-AM and (1450)-WOL-AM hosted a “Community Town-Hall Meeting" recently at the stations headquarters located in Silver Spring, Md. A diverse group of community leaders, private and public sector professionals from across the DC Metropolitan area came together to discuss pertinent issues that impact the African American Community including: job creation and the role of small businesses in the community; the importance of maintaining trust in government leaders; educating youth for future and career success; healthcare concerns and the importance of social and civic involvement. The event will also highlighted the upcoming 2012 Elections and

what the results can mean for the African American Community. Radio One DC Station’s Award Winning News and Community Affairs Director, Sheila Stewart, moderated the town hall meeting. An elite panel of speakers participated: Kenneth Clark, President, MD/DC Minority Supplier Development Council; Dr. E. Faye Williams, National Chair of the National Congress of Black Women; Attorney Michael Melton, President, 100 Black Men of Greater Washington; Marcia Griffin, Founder and President HomeFree-USA; D. Michael Lyles, Esq. - Executive Director, The Prince George's County Human Relations Commission and Akosua Tyus-President, Washington DC NAACP. The event was sponsored by The American Beverage Association.

Photos by Rob Roberts