The Friends of Yates Inc. plan the 35th annual Black Men and Women of Distinction celebration at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 1, at Yates Center, 1418 Garfield Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
The accomplishments of several influential African-American leaders in the community will be celebrated at this event.
The community is invited to the event.
As quoted by Booker T. Washington, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life, but by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” For many years, reaching all the way back to the origins of slavery and segregation, black men and women had made tremendous milestones in their communities through their inventions, education, civic commitments to family togetherness, all the way to their earnest quest to be equal in opportunity and prestige.
It is that kind of motivation that has propelled our community for many years and which has bridged the gap between remembering our past and embracing our future. This rings true for the men and women who are honored this year as Black Men and Women of Distinction.
These leaders have helped to pave the way for others due to their outstanding commitment to excellence in their professional fields and civic duties. They mirror the plan of success, for it is not what one does personally; rather is what one does for others that make him or her successful.
The 2015 Black Men and Women of Distinction recipients are Karen Allen, Kathy Colon, Lillian Donaldson, James Echols, Samuel Lockridge, Neva Campbell-Lowe, Mennie Milan, Gary Mitchell, Eva Tucker-Nevel, Chivas O’Neal, Mavis Perkins, Ernestine Pilcher, Salem Baptist Church Naomi Circle, Valerie Nicholson-Watson, Everlyn Williams, Roger Williams, Judge Brian C. Wimes, Michelle Wimes and the Rev. Bobby Young.
The 2015 Donald D. Sewing Service Award recipients include Claudine Lamb, Curtis McClinton and Alberta Walker.
This year Friends of Yates, Inc. will highlight the occasion with two outstanding men who will be named as “Portrait of a Black Man.” The tribute this year will be given to Jonathan Carter and the Rev. Desmond Lamb. Also, Marjorie Williams will be bestowed with the honor of “Portrait of a Black Woman.”
Jonathan Carter is a journalist who joined the KCTV5 news team in April 2010. A native of Ohio, Carter served in the U.S. Army. He served as a broadcast journalist with the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. During his military service, Carter’s foreign service included tours in Europe, Central America, Africa and Haiti. He also served throughout the United States, including a stint in Alaska. After leaving the military, Carter worked for television stations in New Orleans, Cleveland and Mobile, Ala. He joined KCTV5 as a reporter in April 2010 and has served as anchor.
When asked what he loves most about Kansas City, Carter without hesitation exclaims, “The barbecue, of course!” But he adds, “A very, very, very close second would be the people of the city, who have shown me what real Midwest hospitality is all about!” Carter loves to talk to KCTV5 viewers.
The Rev. Desmond Lamb Sr.’s first pastoral assignment came in 1993 when he was only 21 years old. He became pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Odessa, Mo. Two years later, only a few days before his 25th birthday, he would become pastor of a small Kansas City, Kan., congregation – a congregation that on more than one occasion had nearly met its end. He became pastor of Forest Grove, there were less than 100 hundred members at the church. Since then, the membership has grown to more than 600 baptized believers.
Under Lamb’s leadership, the church, formerly located at 28th and State Avenue, was able to pay off its mortgage and purchase a new worship center located at 1417 N. 9th St., Kansas City, Kan. This facility has been newly renovated and expanded.
Pastor Lamb has been honored on several occasions including recognition among the Black Men and Women of Distinction by the Yates Center; received a proclamation of honor from Mayor Reardon for service in Wyandotte County in 2007; received a certificate for Outstanding Leader in Providing a Safety Net for Victims of Domestic Violence in 2006 by Yates and Joyce Williams centers.
Pastor Lamb has been called to embrace the inner city community with a spirit of excellence. His service is for the lost and the sick. He has been called to minister and counsel those despised and rejected by society and man. Lamb recently completed his Master of Divinity, counseling degree, from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Marjorie Williams became superintendent of the Hickman Mills School District located in South Kansas City, Mo., in July 2000. She immediately took an active role in the plight of public education, community issues and organizations in the Greater Kansas City area.
After 37 years in the field and retiring after 12 years in the position of superintendent in 2012, Williams founded The Marste Group, LLC, a consulting firm, serving school districts and businesses throughout the United States. Williams attributes her success and appointed leadership in key positions to her faith in God, and the 5 “C’s,” Competence, Character, Commitment, Communication and Courageousness.
Williams has served on various community and civic boards including but not restricted to the Advisory Board of the Missouri-Kansas Superintendents Forum, the Board of Directors for Kansas City Public Television (KCPT), Derrick Thomas Third and Long Foundation, The Missouri Safe Schools Advisory Board, National Express Transportation Advisory Board, Avila University School of Education Advisory Board, STEM Advisory Board, Baker University, the Urban Superintendents of American Association, the ReDiscover Board, Crittenton-St. Luke’s Board, The National Aids Service Foundation, Kansas City Freedom Schools, Teach For America and the Local Investment Commission (LINC).
This celebration of African-American accomplishments will be the host of some of Kansas City’s finest leaders and talent. Jonathan Carter, anchorman for KCTV5 news will act as celebrity master of ceremony for the program, while the Rev. R.L. Baynham, pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kan., and the Rev. Desmond Lamb, Forest Grove Baptist Church, will present prayers.
Divine Praise of Metropolitan Baptist Church will provide guests with a music selection, while 5-7-8 also from Metropolitan Baptist Church will present a liturgical dance.
Friends of Yates Inc., which incorporated in 1979, as a supportive arm of Yates Branch YWCA, continues to be a force in the Kansas City, Kan., community since becoming the legal entity of Yates Branch YWCA in 1982. It provides services and a sense of identity to children, youth, adults and senior citizens in the tradition of the Yates branch YWCA that was organized in 1913. More than 100 years of service has been provided to the community.
The programs and services of Friends of Yates Inc. include: the Della Gill-Joyce H. Williams Center for victims and their children, the first and only shelter-transitional housing in Wyandotte County assisting victims of domestic violence; Men and Women of Distinction Program, which has been honoring men and women for 35 years, who have and are making outstanding contributions to the community; Friends of Yates Nursing Home Support Group; Judge Meeks Jr.-Meeks-Burks-Attorney Jackson-Robinson Library, Attorney Shelby Watson Learning Center, Crime Awareness Coordinating Efforts (C.A.C.E.); Marie Grant Child Advocacy Center, Healthy Eating-Healthy Living Nutritional Program; Pathway to Advocacy Violence Free Living and Economic Empowerment (P.A.V.E) Substance Abuse Prevention and Intervention; Teen Dating Violence Prevention Programs; and the BridgeS.P.A.N. Hospital Advocacy Program.
This event is open to the public. For information about tickets and sponsorships, call 913-321-1566.
– Information from Arica Roland, Friends of Yates Inc.