Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc Beta Phi Lambda Chapter Savannah Georgia Presents the 2021 Debutantes
ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC BETA PHI LAMBDA PO BOX 1321 SAVANNAH GEORGIA 31402 Eric Duncan President Geoffrey Johnson Vice President Marius Green Secretary Dr Bobby Jones Treasurer Greetings to all In 2021 we began to see a turning point with the pandemic however it was still not a normal year Our young ladies of the 2021 77th Debutante Cotillion class endured during another Covid 19 year The 77th class have completed all social etiquette training and we are delighted to introduce them to society Each element of the program is specifically designed to further develop their growth into a successful responsible community minded and ethical young women We thank all the families volunteers and brothers that played a pivotal roll in this event We thank each of you for your commitment time and community service Beta Phi Lambda Chapter salutes you as you go into your future endeavors with the grace confidence and poise that you have shown Please stay safe and have a prosperous and Happy New Year Yours truly Eric Duncan Eric Duncan President Beta Phi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc Founders Henry A Callis Charles H Chapman Eugene K Jones George B Kelley Nathaniel A Murray Robert H Ogle Vertner W Tandy Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc Develops Leaders Promotes Brotherhood and Academic Excellence While Providing Service and Advocacy for Our Communities
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc Beta Phi Lambda Chapter Post Office Box 1361 Savannah Georgia 31402 Greetings It was a pleasure working with the 2021 Debutantes This was another pandemic year As with the 2020 class the 2021 persevered We commend the hard work of the parents sponsors and the Alphabettes for their support of the Debutantes this season which spanned 2021 and 2022 We congratulate the 2021 Debutante class on this most memorable accomplishment The men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc are dedicated to serving mankind and appreciate the challenges of the present and look forward to the challenges of the future The Debutante season activities were designed to enhance the social skills and committed to the educational pursuits of its participants Our goal every year has been to enrich the lives of the Debutantes not only for today but for the future as well Sincerely Ramon J Ray Chairman Social Committee Elainor B Ray Alphabette
A Brief History of Beta Phi Lambda Chapter the Alphabettes The Annual Debutante Cotillion Beta Phi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc was established in 1940 in Savannah Georgia The members of the chapter serve in various roles in the community The membership includes Retired Judge James Bass Mayor Van Johnson County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis Medical Doctors Gary N Harvey and Bobby Jones and Dentist Billy Jamerson III just to name a few In 1945 the chapter established the Annual Debutante Cotillion at which the finest young women of Savannah who were in their first year of college were presented to society The wives of the brothers served as matrons chaperons to these young ladies In 1958 a group of Alpha wives through the coordinated efforts of the late Mrs Richard Moore Ouida and late Brother A E Peacock President of Beta Phi Lambda Chapter met for the purpose of organizing an auxiliary to the chapter They organized and took the name The Alphabettes The wives have played an important role in support of the chapter from its beginning The most notable and by far the most pleasurable is the Annual Debutante Presentation which in 1945 presented five young ladies to the current Debutante season planning They present a program of activities designed to accentuate those qualities which exemplify the most desirable traits of refined womanhood The Lillie Jackson Ray Scholarships are awarded at the end of each Debutante Season to all the participants Since 2010 the chapter has awarded more than 40 000 in scholarships All wives and widows of the brothers are members of the Alphabettes To list the many contributions from our membership would be impossible Some of the Alphabettes currently involved include Mrs John Copeland Beverly Mrs Chester Ellis Wilmotine and Mrs Ramon Ray Elainor
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc Beta Phi Lambda Chapter The Brotherhood Bro Victor Allen Bro Hon James F Bass Jr Bro Nicholas Beard Bro Rick Brown Bro Robert Bryant Bro Vernon Bryant Bro Kelvin Buckner Bro David Bynum Bro Mark Carpenter Bro Dr Jimmie Cave Bro Larry Chisolm Bro John Copeland Bro Marius Davis Bro Robert Davis Bro Shed Dawson Jr Bro Robert Day Bro Eric Duncan Bro Chester Ellis Bro Martin T Flowers Bro John Fulton Bro Terry Grant Bro Keon Green Bro Jerry Greene Bro Orie Haggen Bro Thomas Hall Bro Dr Gary N Harvey Bro Lawrence Hutchins Bro Wesley Hutchins Bro John W Jamerson III Bro Dr Karnard Jenkins Bro Geoffrey Johnson Bro Terrie Johnson Bro Van R Johnson II Bro Rev Dr Bobby Jones Bro Drevon M Jones Bro Joshua Lane Bro Bobby Lockett Bro Samuel Maddox Bro Quentin Marlin Bro Christopher McCall Bro Alfred McGuire Bro Edward G Miller Jr Bro Edward G Miller Sr Bro David Miller Bro Howard Miller Bro John Mitchell Bro Sal Mullgrav Bro Solomon Myers III Bro Maurice Nelson Bro Emmitt Ramsey Bro Ramon Ray Bro Robert L Ray Bro Shaunce Riley Bro LeDon Sanders Bro Richard Shinhoster Bro Dr Joseph Pete Silver Bro Walter Simmons Bro Harold Singleton Bro Herbert Singleton Bro Billy Smith Bro Wilcher Spikes Bro Terry Staten Bro Herbert Swain Bro Grover Thornton Bro Dr Jamal Toure Bro Elijah West Jr Bro Tommie West Bro John Wilhite Bro Frank Williams Bro Ranell Williams Bro Samuel Williams Bro Dr Zke Zimmerman
2021 Alphabettes Debutante Committee Mrs Wilmotine Ellis Mrs Beverly Copeland Mrs Elainor Ray
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc Beta Phi Lambda Chapter Manly deeds scholarship and love for all mankind are the aims Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc Beta Phi Lambda chapter has had a rich history of upholding this rich legacy since 1940 in the Coastal Empire community and continues to move onward and upward toward furthering its services in our community Below are a few of the continued efforts and initiatives sponsored by the chapter to better our community and support local youth who aspire to achieve higher goals Scholarships to deserving high school students in the Coastal Empire area Male values and teen pregnancy workshops Guess speakers and presentations to local youth on leadership development and citizen education Promote and support historically black colleges and universities and their students Sponsor and providing opportunities for local youth and college students to network at professional events and cultural activities Promote the Fraternity s Go To High School Go To College national initiative Promote citizen empowerment civic education voter registration voting and political action in the Coastal Empire Active engagement in community and civic leadership to influence greater opportunities for local use and citizens in need
2021 Debutantes Taylor Imani Brown 1st Place Albany State University Albany Georgia Taylor Jordan Goodly Mercer University Macon Georgia Holly Madison Hodge Clark Atlanta University Atlanta Georgia India Vashti Maben 2nd Place Agnes Scott College Decatur Georgia India Vashti Myers Clark Atlanta University Atlanta Georgia Tiana Lynae Thornton Hampton University Hampton Virginia All Debutantes are eligible to receive a Lillie Mae Jackson Ray Scholarship
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc Beta Phi Lambda Chapter THE MISSION OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC is to develop leaders promotes brotherhood and academic excellence while providing service and advocacy for our community THE OBJECTIVE OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC is to stimulate the ambition of its members to prepare them for the greatest usefulness in the cause of humanity freedom and dignity of the individual to encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood and to aid down trodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social economic and intellectual status THE AIMS OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC are manly deeds scholarship and love for all mankind In the name of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated Beta Phi Lambda Chapter of Savannah Georgia we PROCLAIM the following WHEREAS THE BROTHERS OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC BETA PHI LAMBDA CHAPTER are deeply sadden and offer our full and inveterate support of our ALPHA BROTHER RAMON RAY in the passing of his adored mother and to ALPHA BROTHER ROBERT RAY in the passing of his beloved wife MRS LILLIE MAE JACKSON RAY And WHEREAS MRS LILLIE MAE JACKSON RAY faithfully provided leadership and service in the Savannah community for countless years as a human service provider and teacher and she has served for over 20 years as President of the Alphabets and over 25 years as Advisor to the Beta Phi Lambda Debutante Program and has mentored hundreds of aspiring young ladies who have transitioned through the Debutante program And WHEREAS the Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc Beta Phi Lambda chapter stand beside the Ray Brothers in sympathy of their loss and lament with them in empathy of their bereavement we look soon towards that day in the near future that we will raise our heads proudly in having known and worked with such a virtuous loving caring and dedicated servant in the uplift of our community and are truly thankful for her assistance and contributions towards the mission objectives and aims of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc THEREFORE the Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc Beta Phi Lambda in concert with the Beta Phi Lambda Foundation Inc do proclaim the Lillie Mae Jackson Ray Scholarship to be awarded annual at the Beta Phi Lambda Debutante Presentation in honor of Mrs Lillie Ray s dedication and service to the development and uplift of Savannah Youth and her work to transition them onward and upward Proclaimed this fourth day of January in the year of Our Lord 2013
Acknowledg ments Photography by Middleton Riley Photography The Savannah Tribune Alpha Brother Jamal Tour Day Clean Journeys Taqwaa F Saleem Polished Pearl Productions LLC Danielle Hall Infinitely Social Video Productions Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc Delta Eta Chapter Savannah State University Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc Xi Tau Chapter Georgia Southern University
Taylor Imani Brown Taylor Imani Brown the daughter of Mr Mrs Jerome Brown Jr is a 2021 Honor Graduate of Savannah Early College High School in Savannah Georgia Her school activities included Beta Club Student Council and being on the Danceline for the Marching Blue Jacket Band at Savannah High School She was also a dual enrollment student at Savannah State University where she thrived to successfully achieve 30 hours worth of college credits In earlier years her community involvement included being a member of Savannah Chapter of Top Teens of America a national co educational program which includes cultural academic and civic activities volunteers projects and other worthwhile endeavors She also has volunteered with the Growing into Manhood Program which is a part of non profit organization Star Initiative Now Taylor is a member of S A S S Students Advocating For A Stronger Sisterhood a student organization where their goal is to empower and connect young women while strengthening character and confidence throughout the campus and community She is a member of Living Hope Community Fellowship where Pastor Joyce C Hall is pastor In ministry she served in numerous capacities including teen dance minister teen caf youth choir and assisting in children s church Taylor currently attends Albany State University majoring in Early Childhood Education Her plans are to earn a Bachelor of Science in education and become a teacher for lower grades and with the ultimate goal of owning her own early learning center
Taylor Jordan Goodly Taylor Jordan Goodly the daughter of Mr and Mrs Harold Oglesby is a 2021 High Honors graduate of Calvary Day School in Savannah Georgia Her school activities included Track and Field in which she broke her school s shot put record Yearbook Theatre Club African American Literature Club National Junior Honor Society National Honor Society She was also president of the Spanish club and participated in the American Sign Language club In 2020 she was awarded Best Feature Photography by the Georgia Scholastic Press Association She was a 2021 Scholarship Recipient from H and R Block St Paul Missionary Baptist Church and Mercer University Her community involvement included being an executive board member of Chatham County Youth Commission for the 2019 2020 term and being vice chairwoman of Chatham County Youth Commission for the 2020 2021 term a governmental organization for youth to become involved in civic engagements and to participate in their local government She was an Action Research Team member an organization that discusses ways to tackle local and national issues that affect marginalized people She has also helped with Special Olympics and Spring Fling for the National Honor Society along with numerous clothing and food drives that took place throughout Savannah Georgia She is a member of St Paul Missionary Baptist Church where Reverend Ellis is pastor Taylor currently attends Mercer University in Macon Georgia Her college club activities include being a part of the theatre club Minorities in Psychology club Organization of Black Students Mindful Mercer African Student Association the Green Coalition and the National Council of Negro Women She will major in psychology and minor in theater Her plans are to earn a bachelor of science degree in psychology and become a clinical psychologist In her free time Taylor enjoys reading cooking and playing with her dog
Holly Madison Hodge Holly Madison Hodge is the beloved and adored Baby of her family She is the daughter of Guy Malcolm Hodge III Malinda Scott Hodge Holly has Three Older Siblings Matthew Varnard 26 Fern Noel 24 Guy Malcolm IV 22 Holly s older sister Fern desperately wanted a Little Sister After having been told this was not possible plausible nor probable Fern decided to petition a Higher Power to bring her heart s desire into fruition Fern prayed for Holly After having thought the Hodge Family Circle was complete on December 12th 2002 we received the precious gift of a big eyed beautiful Baby Girl Holly was born and reared in Savannah Georgia She earned her High School Diploma and Associate s Degree while attending Savannah Early College as she was dually enrolled at Savannah State University Holly has actively participated as a member of the following Socio Civic Organizations AKA Inc Sponsored CAP College Admissions Process Program ETS Educational Talent Search Savannah Early College School Council SLP Student Leadership Program Holly participates in the Youth Choir Liturgical Dance Ministry and The Young People s Division YPD of the Saint Philip Monumental African Methodist Episcopal AME Church She has served as YPD President of her local church since 2017 She was elected to serve as 2nd Vice President on the YPD Conference Level within the AME Church Holly values her family bond and has been blessed with an exceptionally large family on both her paternal and maternal sides She is the Granddaughter of Mary Alice Snowden Scylance B Scott Jr Clara Horton Guy M Hodge Jr and has Bonus Grandparents Eddie Whitaker and Pam Scott Holly is fortunate to have an incredibly supportive village of family friends Holly loves to travel domestically and globally She enjoys Photography Arts Craft Projects and reading blogs that contain information relative to her future career She loves school and highly values her education She is a proud Dog Mom of Coconut Bay Hodge an incredibly precocious purebred Maltese Holly s favorite sport is shopping She is attentive to detail and has a strong appreciation for aesthetics Excellence in academics is the hallmark of Holly s personal mantra She seeks to exceed the standards in all areas of life Holly is a Student at the prestigious private institution of Clark Atlanta University located in Atlanta Georgia She will earn a Bachelor s Degree in either Business Marketing or Business Management Holly has interest in Fashion and Home Interior Design Her intent is to follow an entrepreneurial career path into a Home Interior Design Firm Holly is a focused high performing quietly ambitious young woman who will without a doubt achieve both her personal and professional career goals
India Vashti Maben India Vashti Maben the daughter of Mr Mrs Anthony and Twana Maben Jr India is a 2020 graduate of Calvary Day High School in Savannah Georgia Her school activities included the Sign Language Club Track and Field team and Manager for the Boys Varsity Basketball team She is a recipient of an annual Academic Scholarship from Agnes Scott College along with the Hope Scholarship While attending Agnes Scott she is the co captain of the Radiant Royalettes dance team and serves on the Witkaze Literary magazine team Her community involvement includes being a member of the Youth Leadership Academy of the 100 Black Men of Savannah Dawns Daughter and Deep Writing India is currently a sophomore attending Agnes Scott College and pursuing a dual degree with Agnes Scott and Emory University Upon graduation she will have a BA in Liberal Arts and a BS in Nursing Her plan is to become a traveling registered nurse
India Gabrielle Myers India Myers the daughter of Mr Teman Myers Mother and Mr Mrs Kirk Scott Grandparents Rollo Gregory Sr Elaine Gregory Jackie and Thomas Myers India is a 2021 graduate of Alfred Ely Beach High School in Savannah Georgia Her school activities included Track and Field Cross Country FBLA Elevate HOSA Georgia s Secretary of State Student Ambassadors Program and Medical Explorer Post Program She was also a spoken word slam poet for DEEP Writing and selected as Best Dressed by her senior class Her community involvement included being an assistant teaching artist for DEEP Writing Scheduling and coordinating community constructed workshops for systems impacted youth During her time serving in this position the youth were shown and taught various new skills such as Cooking Financial literacy Hair braiding and much more India also scheduled and coordinated workshops for young ladies at the Girl Scouts of Historic Savannah She is a member of First Friendship Missionary Baptist Church where Reverend David Chavis is pastor Besides worshiping she also serves as a teacher for children s church India currently attends Clark Atlanta University where she majors in Fashion Merchandising Her plans are to earn her degree in fashion and one day become a fashion designer
Tiana Lynae Thornton Tiana Lynae Truedell Thornton is the daughter of Abby Douse the late Torrence Thornton Tiana is a native of Savannah Ga she moved to Atlanta at the age of 7 She came back to Savannah to spend her last two years of high school close to her father before his passing in 2019 In Atlanta she was a Pre international baccalaureate student at Dr Martin s L King Jr H S Moving back to Savannah Tiana attended Alfred Ely Beach High School As a 2021 graduate from Beach High her duties consisted of being the class president morning spokesperson Jobs For Georgia Graduates President FBLA Vice President Cheerleading CoCaptain Allied Health student Elevate Student ROTC National Honor Society Nominee and a Soccer player She also was a homecoming court nominee both junior and senior year Tiana comes from a line of Alpha Phi Alpha debutantes her grandmother Coach Saralyn Truedell 1974 her grand aunts Brenda Truedell Bell 1963 Dr Thelma Truedell Bryant 1965 and her aunt Undine TruedellCrow 1989 Outside of school Tiana has the pleasure of being a member of Caps College Admissions Process sponsored by the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc This program has prepared her for college and career readiness She s also employed at Chick fil A where serving is a pleasure She has also participated in a program called Elevate Savannah where she also completed this course at A E Beach high school Tiana happens to be the first recipient of the Vernon Deloris Jones Foundation scholarship created by Vernon Jones Jr a alumni of Beach High School This year she also received the 2021 Omega Psi Phi scholarship from the Mu Phi chapter located in Savannah Ga She attends Trinity Foundation M B Church where Rev Hal P McKinley Sr serves as pastor At church she s a youth minister and participates on the praise and worship team Her favorite scripture is Psalms 46 5 God is within her she will not fail Tiana currently attends Hampton University majoring in nursing Her plans are to graduate with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing to become a labor delivery travel nurse She soon plans to attend graduate school to receive her doctorate in nursing and to become a Nurse Practitioner
The Alpha Bears congratulate the 2020 2022 Debutantes
Congratulations Taylor and Best Wishes on your future endeavors
Congratulations Taylor
Congratulations India Myers https tinyurl com 79thdebutante