Augustus McIver “Gus” Witherspoon Awards / Sunday, April 27, 2024 1 MARTIN STREET BAPTIST CHURCH 1001 E. MARTIN ST. RALEIGH, NC SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2024 30th Annual A.M. “Gus” Witherspoon Community Recognition Awards Program
Greater Raleigh National Pan-Hellenic Council 2 NPHC HISTORY The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. (NPHC), also referred to as the Divine Nine, is the umbrella organization housing nine black Greek-letter organizations. The NPHC was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. on May 10, 1930, and incorporated under laws in Illinois in 1937. Altogether, the council’s membership exceeds 1.5 million individuals around the world. The goal of the National Pan-Hellenic Council is to promote unity among its member organizations and address problems of mutual interest to those organizations. While the NPHC recognizes separate priorities of the organizations within the Council, it also encourages all member organizations to support the leading national programs of the other Greek letter fraternities and sororities. The NPHC also strongly supports cooperation between graduate and undergraduate chapters within each organization as a means of building community. The NPHC encourages continued participation to build a larger, stronger network to accomplish the social, educational, and political goals of the council and of each member fraternity and sorority. 2024 NPHC OF THE GREATER RALEIGH AREA EXECUTIVE BOARD Dr. Dayna Harper President (ΔΣΘ) Darlene McDoe Vice President (ΣΓΡ) Dr. Kemah Washington Corresponding Secretary (KAΨ) Beronica Cathey Recording Secretary (ΔΣΘ) Allan Younger Financial Secretary (AΦA) Charles Wright Treasurer (ΩΨΦ) Simon Akhamie Parliamentarian (ΦBΣ) Dr. Jimmy Atkins Chaplain (KAΨ) Thomas Graves Sergeant at Arms (IΦΘ) Quando Gerst President’s Council (ΩΨΦ)
Augustus McIver “Gus” Witherspoon Awards / Sunday, April 27, 2024 3
Greater Raleigh National Pan-Hellenic Council 4 Augustus McIver “Gus” Witherspoon was born in Palmetto, SC. After graduating from Claflin University in 1951 he entered the United States Army with the rank of lieutenant. Following his military service, he went on to become a high school science teacher and coach and would later earn two Master of Science degrees -- one from Southern Illinois University and the other from NC State. In 1971, he earned his doctorate in Botany, becoming the second African-American to earn a doctorate degree from NC State. Dr. Witherspoon would become the first African-American Professor in the school’s history, joining the university faculty in 1970 as a Botany instructor. He served as Assistant Dean, Acting Dean and Associate Dean of the College of Agricultural Life Sciences Graduate School. He also held the university administration positions of Associate Provost and Coordinator of AfricanAmerican Affairs. In 1948, Dr. Withersppon was initiated into the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. while at Claflin College. He was a Life Member (#2079) of the Fraternity. During his forty-six years as a member, In Memoriam and Celebration of the life and Legacy of A.M. “GUS” WITHERSPOON, PH.D. 1930-1994
Augustus McIver “Gus” Witherspoon Awards / Sunday, April 27, 2024 5 he served in a number of positions. At the national level he served as Chiefof-Staff and facilitated the corporate restructuring of the fraternity, as well as helping to purchase a new building; moving the National Headquarters from Chicago, IL to Baltimore, MD. In 1992, the Fraternity awarded him its highest honor - the “Alpha Award of Merit.” Dr. Witherspoon was also an advisor to NC State’s Eta Omicron chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He served as a mentor to many students while at the university. Students affectionately referred to him as “Pops,” “Doc” and “Spoon.” He and his wife Cookie graciously opened their home to students on many occasions. The NC State Black Alumni Society established the A.M. Witherspoon Graduate Scholarship in his honor in July 1990. In 1992 the NC State Board of Trustees honored Dr. Witherspoon with a citation of appreciation for his services to the university as an outstanding teacher, researcher and community leader. He is often credited as one of the ‘Founding Fathers” of the African American Cultural Center, the University-Community Brotherhood Dinner (now known as the Lawrence M. Clark University Community Dinner), the Peer Mentor Program, the African American Symposium and other significant initiatives that are still recognized by the university today. Dr. Witherspoon was instrumental in helping to improve the campus and academic life of AfricanAmericans at NC State before his death. Because of his hard work and commitment to students and the university, the Student Center Annex was renamed the Augustus McIver Witherspoon Student Center in his honor on November 18, 1994, becoming the first campus building named in honor of an AfricanAmerican.
Greater Raleigh National Pan-Hellenic Council 6 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The late Reverend A.M. “Gus” Witherspoon was a remarkable man who excelled in the areas of education, religion, civil rights, and community relations. His service to the National Pan-Hellenic Council includes: reactivating the Raleigh/Wake Chapter and serving as the first president after the reorganization, serving as State Director of the NPHC, as well as, holding other national and regional offices. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A.M. “GUS” WITHERSPOON AWARDS 2024 COMMUNITY RECOGNITION AWARD RECIPIENTS Business Jermaine Kearney Community Service Dr. Laura Bethea & Earline Middleton Cultural Arts Carly Jones Education Ian Solomon Media Rod Carter Politics Mayor Jessica Day Religion Dr. Tiffany Bennett Cornelous UNDERGRADUATE AWARD RECIPIENT Victoria Hyman Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc NC State University, Raleigh, NC LIFETIME ACHIEVERS AWARD RECIPIENT Quando Gerst Iota Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc Raleigh Alumni Chapter
Augustus McIver “Gus” Witherspoon Awards / Sunday, April 27, 2024 7 Darlene McDoe, SGR Presiding +++++++++++++++++ PROGRAM Welcome Darlene McDoe, SGR Prayer Jimmy Atkins, KAY Occasion Charles Dunn, AFA COMMUNITY RECOGNITION AWARD PRESENTATIONS Jermaine Kearney ...........................Andrea Breazeale- King Dr. Laura Bethea .............................................Sabrina Tucker Earline Middleton ...............................................Vanya Allen Carly Jones ....................................Judge David K. Baker, Sr Ian Solomon ...............................................Clarence Clayton Rod Carter .......................................................Terrence Evans Mayor Jessica Day .......................................Deyna Hardison Dr. Tiffany Bennett Cornelous …...................…..Vanya Allen Undergraduate Award................................... Sabrina Tucker Lifetime Achievers Award............................ Darlene McDoe Closing Remarks Dayna Harper, DSQ Entertainment by Freddy Greene and Harvey Wilder +++++++++++++++++
Greater Raleigh National Pan-Hellenic Council 8 PAST GRADUATE A. M. “GUS” WITHERSPOON AWARD RECIPIENTS 1995 Mr. Joseph N. Springer 1996 Dr. Dudley E. Flood 1997 Mrs. Barbara T. Flood 1998 Judge Michael R. Morgan 1999 Dr. Orlando E. Hankins 2000 Mr. Louis A. Newsome 2001 Ms. Virginia Wall 2002 Ms. Tamani Anderson 2003 Mr. Michael Boykin 2004 Mr. John L. Milner 2005 Mr. Charles Ballard 2006 Mrs. Mazie D. Lewis 2007 Ms. Andrea A. Breazeale 2008 Mr. Eric L. Fairfax 2009 Ms. Loria I. Glenn 2010 Ms. Shirley Bell 2011 Mr. Corey D. Branch 2012 Mr. Kenneth Johnson 2013 Mr. Damon Siler 2014 Mr. Patrick G. Gilliard 2015 Ms. Chika I. Chukwu 2016 Ms. Letisha N. Perry 2017 Mr. Robert S. Cunningham Jr. 2018 Mr. Antonio Medley 2019 Mrs. Nichole McCall 2020 Ms. Lillian Davis 2022 Ms. Darlene McDoe 2023 Mr. Charles Dunn PAST COLLEGIATE A. M. “GUS” WITHERSPOON AWARD RECIPIENTS 2005 Mr. Christopher Bynum (NCSU) 2006 Ms. Jacqueline Indula (NCSU) 2007 Ms. Ashlee Canty (NCSU) 2008 Mr. Chester Sanders (Shaw University) 2009 Mr. Scott McGregor (NCSU) 2010 Ms. Jasmine Bethel (St. Augustine’s College) 2011 Ms. Rachel Weathers (Shaw University) 2012 Mr. Justin Watkins (NCSU) 2014 Mr. Matthew Coleman (Shaw University) 2015 Mr. Khari L. Cyrus (NCSU) 2016 Mr. Joshua A. Moore (NCSU) 2017 Mr. Malik Simpson 2018 Ms. Cierra Jones 2019 Ms. lleana Joseph 2020 Mr. Nicholas Evans, Jr. 2020 Mr. Becario J. Bodie 2021 Ms. Amira Watson 2023 Ms. Jamelia Pinder
Augustus McIver “Gus” Witherspoon Awards / Sunday, April 27, 2024 9 NPHC OF THE GREATER RALEIGH AREA CHAPTERS IN ACTION!
Greater Raleigh National Pan-Hellenic Council 10
Augustus McIver “Gus” Witherspoon Awards / Sunday, April 27, 2024 11 30th Annual A. M. “Gus” Witherspoon Community Recognition Awards Program PATRONS LIST Al & Theresa Grandy – AΦA / AKA Andrea A. Breazeale-King – ZΦB Ashley Alston – AKA Bessie Lewis – AKA Bethesda Kearney – ZΦB Cynthia McKoy – AKA Darlene McDoe – SGR Della J. Owens – DSQ Delores Revis – AKA Donnie Alston – AKA Dr. Jimmy Arthur Atkins – KAΨ Dr. Kemah E. P. & Brandi Washington – KAΨ / AKA Dr. Linda Gill – AKA Dr. Sharmell Wilson – AKA Dr. Sonja Brown – AKA Earlene Briggs – AKA Edrisa A. Horton – AKA Edward T. Parker – AΦA Elwanda Hyman-Farrow – AKA Evelyn Baird – AKA Kimberly Coleman – AKA Garlinda Taylor – AKA Gayla Smith – AKA Gladys Walker – AKA
Greater Raleigh National Pan-Hellenic Council 12 Gracie Wells Chamblee – AKA Hazel A. Sanders – AKA Iris Green – AKA Kimberly Coleman – AKA Janay Moore – AKA Joyce Bass – AKA Karen Beatty – AKA Ken & Trina Moore – KAΨ / AKA Kimberly Coleman – AKA Lovieree Warren – AKA Marrion Dunn – AKA Mary Sykes – AKA Mikole Moore – AKA Oney Graham – AKA Ophelia Noble – AKA Paulette Mack – AKA Pamela Taylor Shaw – AKA Regina Nickson – AKA Rev. Sammy P. Robinson – ΩΨΦ Robert S. & Shenita Cunningham – ΩΨΦ / DSQ Ron & Carolyn – AFA / AKA Ruby Green – AKA Stephanie Coleman – AKA Oney Graham – AKA Victor & Yolanda Hyman – KAΨ / DSQ +++++++++++++++++ BRANDilly Creative Group (www.bcgnc.com) KAΨ P2 Pressure Washing & Cleaning (www.p2wash.com) KAΨ True Worship Christian Fellowship (www.trworship.org) KAΨ
Augustus McIver “Gus” Witherspoon Awards / Sunday, April 27, 2024 13
Greater Raleigh National Pan-Hellenic Council 14
Augustus McIver “Gus” Witherspoon Awards / Sunday, April 27, 2024 15 CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR 2024 WINNERS! On behalf of the 2024 Dr. A.M. “Gus” Witherspoon Awards Gala Planning Committee and the Greater Raleigh National Pan-Hellenic Council, thank you for spending time with us as we honor and celebrate our local unsung heroes. Your presence means so much to us, as we continue to recognize those who have impacted the Greater Raleigh area, while building lives in a positive way, one person, one family, and one community at a time. Please keep in contact with us and we look forward to seeing you next year! Dr. Kemah Washington KAΨ Charles Wright ΩΨΦ 30th Annual A. M. “Gus” Witherspoon Community Recognition Awards Program Committee Darlene McDoe ΣΓΡ Donzell Newkirk KAΨ Tamani Powell ΔΣΘ Keith Shannon AFA Ciji Garner AKA Quando Gerst ΩΨΦ Thomas Graves IΦΘ Dr. Dayna Harper ΔΣΘ
Greater Raleigh National Pan-Hellenic Council 16 NPHC OF THE GREATER RALEIGH AREA 2024 AFFILIATE CHAPTER ORGANIZATIONS AKA Alpha Theta Omega Chapter AKA Chi Rho Omega Chapter AKA Sigma Tau Omega Chapter AKA Omega Lambda Omega Chapter AKA Psi Sigma Omega Chapter AFA Phi Lambda Chapter DSQ Knightdale-Wake Forest Chapter DSQ Johnston County Alumnae Chapter DSQ Raleigh Alumnae Chapter DSQ Western Wake County Alumnae ZFB Omicron Zeta Chapter ZFB Sigma Rho Zeta Chapter ZFB Sigma Xi Zeta Chapter ZFB Chi Xi Zeta Chapter IFQ Alpha Epsilon Omega Chapter KAY Raleigh Alumni Chapter KAY Cary Alumni Chapter SGR Beta Lambda Sigma Chapter SGR Theta Lambda Sigma Chapter FBS Eta Sigma Chapter WYF Iota Iota Chapter WYF Xi Mu Mu Chapter +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The focus of the National Pan Hellenic Council of the Greater Raleigh Area is to contribute to the political, spiritual, social, economic and cultural life of Raleigh and the surrounding area through the presentation of programs. The organization also gives aggressive support to the upward mobility of the youth of the community.