NANBPW 2016 Founder’s Day Celebration

Britta Lee, Regional Content Editor

10 years ago

**FOUNDERS DAY COMMITTEE—**Front row left to right: Valerie Waters, Monica Reese, Audrey Anderson and Jovita Smith, back row left to right: Winifred Torbert, Curtistine Walker, Karen Smith and Anita Walker

In 1935 The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Incorporated was established by seven visionary founders with a concept to support African American Women in business and professions. On April 23, at the LeMont Restaurant over 100 celebrated NANBPW’s founder’s day and celebrated deserving individuals in the Pittsburgh Community who have given outstanding service and achieved substantial goals. Community Service Awardee Marimba Milliones, Business Woman of the Year, Hill Community Development Corporation; President and CEO, Donna Baxter, CEO of Soul Pitt Media; Professional Woman of the Year Judge Kim H. Hoots, Magisterial Judge of the Fifth Judicial Districts Court number 05-2-10, located in Wilkinsburg, Pa.; Professional Man of the Year Kevin Carter, CEO of the Adonai Center, Inc. Deborah Parker served as the emcee for the morning. Parker formerly an AURN news anchor is currently a Senior Business Consultant with the African American Chamber of Commerce.

**BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR—**Donna Baxter and Rhonda Carson Leach

**EMCEE PREPARES HER NOTES—**Deborah Parker and Audrey Anderson (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

Each year the club also awards scholarships to college bound high school seniors. This year’s scholarship recipients were: Madison McKenzie Ware (The Ellis School), Rianna M. Graham (Taylor Allderdice High School) and Ra’keyla Little (Milliones University Prep School).

**SOJOURNER TRUTH AWARDEE—**Rhonda Carson Leach and Regina Holley, PhD

The highlight of Founders Day for this group is to award the highest honor given by the National Association, the Sojourner Truth Award. It honors women exhibiting the attributes of their National Matriarch. The Sojourner Truth Award was presented to Regina B. Holley, PhD. Holley has over 36 years of educational experience, both in the classroom and in administration and has used that experience as Pittsburgh Public Schools School Board Director for District 2, working towards outstanding school board governance.

**COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDEE—**Marimba Milliones and Rhonda Carson Leach

The sound track for the morning was provided by Bridgette Perdue. The year’s Founders Day Committee was headed by Valerie Waters and Monica Reese with Rhonda Carson Leach as NANBPW President.

**ACCEPTING FOR MADISON WARE—**Kelly McCormick (aunt of the awardee) with Rhonda Carson Leach

**PROFESSIONAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR—** Judge Kim M. Hoots and Rhonda Carson Leach

**SCHOLARSHIP AWARDEES—**Ra’keyla Little and Rianna M. Graham with Regina Holley, PhD and Rhonda Carson Leach

Like us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Pittsburgh-Courier/143866755628836?ref=hl
Follow @NewPghCourier on Twitter https://twitter.com/NewPghCourier
Download our mobile app at https://www.appshopper.com/news/new-pittsburgh-courier