2022 4th District Talent Hunt Program-Final4.1

DANITA HARRIS

Danita Harris, WEWS News5 anchorwoman and an Emmy-Award winning journalist, uses her
profession as a main anchor to reach many people. She feels blessed to work in the broadcasting
industry because it partners well with her commitment to community service.

Danita’s latest initiative “It’s Your Time to S.H.I.N.E.” is a women’s group designed to help
hurting women find the light within themselves. They meet monthly with hundreds in
attendance. It was birthed out of Danita’s desire to be a vessel of hope to those who feel
forgotten, rejected, abused, and unloved. Her goal is to provide a safe space where women can
deal with their issues and get the practical tools they need to overcome personal challenges. In
October 2018, she founded S.H.I.N.E. Girlz Mentoring Program, that is currently in schools in the
Cleveland Metropolitan School District. During the first year, over 100 4th-8th grade girls successfully
completed the S.H.I.N.E. Girlz Mentoring Program.

Rev. Danita Harris was born in Chester, PA. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in the 8th grade and lives as a
woman who continuously seeks the face of God. Her favorite scripture is Luke 12:48 “For everyone to whom much is given, of
him shall much be required.” She currently attends Church on the North Coast in Wickliffe. She is an instructor of Effective
Communication in Ministry at the Ohio Leadership Academy of the Cleveland Baptist Association.

Danita challenges herself with ways she can help people in the community who are dealing with challenging issues. She
organized a fundraiser to help homeless women and children, domestic violence victims and those who have experienced sexual
violence. Danita was able to enlist the help of every local TV station and two major radio stations to increase the awareness of
these issues. The event was a success and numerous monetary donations were made to organizations that are assisting women
and children in their journey to find homes and overcome the trauma that has touched their lives.

Danita has held several roles at WEWS. In 1998, she came to NewsChannel5 as part of the “Morning Exchange,” where she did
live feature reports. After two years, Danita moved to WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C., where she anchored the news on
weekends and did entertainment reports during the week.
Danita’s love for the Cleveland area quickly brought her back to WEWS in September of 2000, when she stepped into the
anchor position for “Good Morning Cleveland” and NewsChannel5 at noon. In 2004, Danita received an Emmy when Good
Morning Cleveland won Best Morning Newscast. In 2010 she was inducted into the Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame and in
2017 she received 2 more Emmy’s for best evening newscast and a special on domestic violence. Harris reported a 4-part series
on the foster care system and won the Journalist of the Year award from the Public Children’s Services Association of Ohio for
her work to increase public awareness of child protection. She is also the recipient of the prestigious Chuck Heaton award from
The Press Club of Cleveland. In 2019, she received three more Emmy Awards for Best Daytime Newscast, Best Evening
Newscast and Breaking News: Caught in the Crossfire – The Shooting Death of 9-year-old Saniyah Nicholson. She was also
recognized by the National Council of Negro Women as one of the Outstanding Women in Ministry in Cuyahoga County.

Harris is extremely proud of serving as a guest host on ABC’s “The View,” and interviewing talk show host Oprah Winfrey.

After anchoring the morning show for six years, Harris was promoted to the evening anchor position, which she held until
March of 2020, when she decided to return to Good Morning Cleveland and News5 at noon so that she could be home more
with her son Chase.

One of Danita’s first broadcasting roles was at Black Entertainment Television, a national cable network located in Washington,
D.C. While there, she worked behind the scenes as a producer in several areas; news, sports, music and entertainment.

Danita has a heart for people. She has won numerous awards for being a civic-minded individual whose passion for people is
evident by all who meet her.

Danita is active in WEWS’s shadow program that allows high school students to spend the day with broadcast professionals.
Danita understands the power of the media and does all she can to wield that power to support young people and push them to
success.

In her spare time, she loves listening to jazz and gospel music.

One of Danita’s greatest blessings is her son Chase. He is an answered prayer and a testament of God’s faithfulness to her.

She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc. and the National Council of Negro Women.



A Tribute In Memory Of
Past 4th District Talent Hunt Chairman

BROTHER CALVIN H. THOMAS

Brother Thomas was associated with the 4th District Talent

Hunt Program for over 30 years. He had been affiliated with
the International Talent Hunt Program for numerous years. He
was a community activist who had been honored locally,
statewide, and nationally for his civic participation. Brother
Thomas received the following awards: Citizen of the Year
(Mt. Pleasant Community Council), Most Treasured Volunteer
(Cuyahoga County) and Man of the Year (General Motors). He
was a graduate of Wilberforce University. Brother Thomas was
initiated into Omega Psi Fraternity in 1946 through Phi Sigma
Chapter (Case Western Reserve University). He held the office
of Fourth District Keeper of Record & Seal. He also served as
Chapter Vice Basileus, Achievement Week Chairman, and
Social Action Chairman as he was a member of both Zeta
Omega and Zeta Kappa Kappa Chapters in Cleveland, OH.
Brother Thomas served on many Boards including: Cuyahoga
County Drug Board, Ward I Democratic Club, President
Kingsford East Street Club, Planned Parenthood Review Board
and President Emeritus of the Murtis H. Taylor Center. He was
a member of William T. Boyd Lodge #79 Prince Hall F&AM,
Neighborhood Centers Association, City Club and Mt. Pleasant
Community Council. Brother Thomas was a member of
Elizabeth Baptist Church and served over 50 years as an
Omega Man.

OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC.

Talent Hunt History

The Talent Hunt program of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is
one of several national programs designed to identify and
support the youth of our nation and world. The original idea
was credited to Brother J. Alston Atkins of Winston Salem,
North Carolina, and Brother Dewey Duckett of Rock Hill, South
Carolina. While the idea was conceived in 1945, the first
District Talent Hunt program was held in the Sixth District in
Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 19, 1946. The need for
such a program was born out of unequal opportunity afforded
to some American youth to develop and give full expression to
their talents. The success of the Talent Hunt program,
especially in the Sixth District, from the standpoint of
community interest and the scholarship assistance made
available to the winners as a result of overwhelming public
support, led to its adoption by the national organization.
Talent Hunt, as a national program, made its grand debut in
1953 when the Fraternity featured the winners of the local and
regional contest on a public program at the Grand Conclave in
Cincinnati, Ohio.

The original statement of the Talent Hunt idea included this
expression: Creative and outstanding capacities in any
honorable activity should be eligible for consideration." During
public presentations, all original displays were limited to the
field of music. Since that time, the Talent Hunt program has
been expanded to include other forms of the expressive arts.
It is significant to note that prior to 1969, all participants in
the Talent Hunt program were required to be high school
seniors. The year 1969 appears on documents indicating a
revision in the guidelines for the operation of Talent Hunt
programs on every level. That revision expanded the level of
participation to grades 9 through 12.

The Talent Hunt Program of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity has
touched thousands of students, many of whom have gone on
to make outstanding contributions to their communities and to
our world. Many have earned scholarships, awards, and
recognitions through exposure from this program. It is our
unyielding commitment to support our youth.

PROGRAM

Welcome ................................................. ...Brother Mark C. Shaw
4th District Talent Hunt Chairman

Invocation ............................... ..Brother Theopolis Washington II
4th District Chaplain

Tribute/Reflections of Brother Calvin H. Thomas………….Video Presentation
History of Talent Hunt……………………………………….Brother Matthew Coleman

Eta Nu Nu Talent Hunt Chairman

Introduction of Emcee …….……………………………….Brother Kelvin Asberry
Zeta Kappa Kappa Talent Hunt Chairman

Emcee………………………………………………………………………...Ms. Danita Harris
WEWS News5 Anchorwoman

Judges

Mr. George Granville…….Genesis School of the Creative & Performing Arts
Mr. Rodney Hubbard………………………………………………Kent State University
Dr. Kim A. Johnson…………………………………….Cuyahoga Community College
Mr. Samuel Vawters………………………………Bedford City School District

Presentation of Contestants

Tatyana Tolliver.............................…………….Dramatic Interpretation
Xi Alpha Chapter, Charleston, West Virginia

Riahna Dixon ........................................................... …..Vocal Solo
Delta Alpha Chapter, Dayton, Ohio

Tia Ward.......................................................... ..Instrumental Solo
Eta Nu Nu Chapter, Columbus, Ohio

Leila Metres…………………………………………...Dramatic Interpretation
Zeta Kappa Kappa Chapter, Cleveland, Ohio

Ronn L. Chapman, Jr............................................. ……...Vocal Solo
Mu Iota Chapter, Columbus, Ohio

Anthony Dorsey….………………………………………………………..Instrumental Solo
Beta Iota Chapter, Cincinnati, Ohio

Brian E. Harper II….…………………………………...........................Piano Solo
Zeta Omega Chapter, Cleveland, Ohio

Recognition of Parents and Relatives
& Closing Remarks………………………………………Brother David L. Reliford
35th 4th District Representative

Benediction ............................... Brother Theopolis Washington II
4th District Chaplain

Tatyana Tolliver, representing Xi Alpha Chapter, is a 17-
year-old senior at Capital High School in Charleston, West
Virginia. She also attends West Virginia State University as a
duel credit Collaborative Student. Tatyana is the daughter of
Mr. Michael Tolliver. She is a member of Bible Believers
Church. Her extracurricular activities include participating in
Speech, choir, Xinos Step Team, all-county chorus, Children
of Visual Impaired Program (CVRP), and serving as Xinos’
Treasurer. Tatyana is currently undecided on which college or
university she plans to attend however, she plans to further
her education and proceed to law school to become a civil
rights attorney.

Riahna Dixon, representing Delta Alpha Chapter, is a 16-
year-old junior at Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio.
She is the daughter of Delvin & Kourtney Terry and Rondale
Dixon & Camille Whittle. Her extracurricular activities include
being a member of the Warrior Elite Dance Team, the Gem
Squad Competition Team and volunteering at the
Montgomery County Animal Shelter and previously
volunteering at John P. Parker Elementary School. Riahna’s
hobbies include fishing, singing, dancing, and hunting. She
plans to attend the University of Cincinnati and major in
Sports Medicine.

Tia Ward, representing Eta Nu Nu Chapter, is a 15-year-old
sophomore at Centennial High School in Columbus, Ohio.
She is the daughter of Ms. Cheryl Ward. Tia is a member of
New Salem Baptist Church. She began playing violin at the
age of 6. Currently, Tia plays at weddings, birthday parties,
and various other events including being flown to Boston, MA
to perform at a Christmas party over Christmas break. Her
extracurricular activities include participating in Urban Strings
Columbus, Centennial High School Orchestra, and
volunteering. Her hobbies include Designing and performing.
Tia plans to attend either North Carolina A&T University or
Spelman College.

Leila Metres, representing Zeta Kappa Kappa Chapter, is a 15-
year-old sophomore at Mastery School of Hawken High School
in Cleveland, Ohio. She is the daughter of Ms. Amy Breau.
Leila hobbies are writing, reading, playing sports, and playing
with her dog. She won the Power of Sport Performing Arts
Competition in the youth category. Leila’s extracurricular
activities include participating in basketball, track & field,
Feminist Club, and writing programs. Leila is currently
undecided on which college or university she plans to attend.

Ronn L. Chapman, Jr., representing Mu Iota Chapter, is a 17-
year-old senior at Dublin Coffman High School in Dublin, Ohio.
He is the son of Ronn, Sr. and Yolanda Chapman. Ronn is a
member of New Covenant Believers Church. His hobbies are
singing, dancing, and reading. Ronn’s extracurricular activities
include Musical Theatre where he recently played the role of
Andrew Carnes in Dublin Coffman High Schools’ production of
Oklahoma. He sings the Vagabond by Ralph Vaughn Williams
which is one of the first pieces he started with his freshman
year and continued it throughout high school and now it is his
senior piece. Ronn was excited to sing it one more time at the
Talent Hunt. He plans to attend Baldwin Wallace University
where he plans to Major in Musical Theatre and Music

Education.

Anthony Dorsey, representing Beta Iota Chapter, is a 15-
year-old sophomore at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati,
Ohio. He is the son of Martin and Rowena Dorsey. Anthony
is a member of St. Gertrude Catholic Church. He began
studying violin at the age of 5 and has been a part of many
orchestras and chamber groups including Suzuki Strings,
Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, Cincinnati Junior
Strings, Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra, CSO
Nouveau Chamber Players, Starling Strings Project, an
honors music program at University of Cincinnati College-
Conservatory of Music (CCM) Preparatory Program.
Anthony’s hobbies include competitive swimming and
triathlon (swimming, biking, and running) training. His
extracurricular activities include serving as a student
ambassador for St. Xavier’s Admissions Department,
Special Olympics, and St. Gertrude Youth Ministry.
Anthony is exploring a combined music and academic
program at Columbia University and The Juilliard School in
New York, NY.

Brian E. Harper ll, representing Zeta Omega Chapter, is an
18-year-old senior at Solon High School in Solon, Ohio. He is
the son of Mr. Brian Harper. Brian is a member of Parkside
Church. His extracurricular activities include participating in
piano competitions where he has won numerous awards and
playing chess. Brian’s hobbies include playing the piano,
drums, and singing. He plans to attend Cleveland State
University and major in Piano Performance.

4th District Talent Hunt Committee

Brother Austin Hood..................................Zeta Omega Chapter
Brother Kelvin Asberry ..................... Zeta Kappa Kappa Chapter
Bro Stephen Jones .......................................... Mu Iota Chapter
Brother Dewayne Fletcher ............................ Beta Iota Chapter
Brother Matthew Coleman…………………...………Eta Nu Nu Chapter
Brother Wendell Goodall.............................Delta Alpha Chapter
Brother Jonathan Wesley……………...………………Xi Alpha Chapter
Bro. Mark C. Shaw, Chairman……………...………….Mu Iota Chapter

4th District Officers

District Representative David L. Reliford
1st Vice District Representative Mike West
2nd Vice District Representative
District Keeper of Records & Seal Nahshon Webb
District Keeper of Finance Kendric Jackson
District Counselor Tomier T. Davenport
District Director of Public Relations Walter T. Madison
District Keeper of Peace
District Chaplain Marcus Bethay
District Chief of Security Hal Dumas
Immediate Past District Representative
District Marshal Theopolis Washington
Effram Speigner
Lamar T. Cole

Darnell Robertson