On Saturday, January 29th, the South Central LA Branch of the National Association of University Women, held its 11th Annual Carrie Ayers Haynes Scholarship and Hall of Fame Celebration at 12 noon at the Radisson Westside Hotel in Culver City.  Each year the Branch sponsors the fundraiser which honors selected unsung heroes and recognize those individuals for their leadership and involvement in community out-reach programs.   The 2011 Hall of Fame Honorees were Mrs. LeCresha Gipson, Reverend Jawane Hilton, Mrs. Shirley Hirschberg, Mr. Charles Peters, Dr. Bennie Reams, and Dr. Kanika White. 

Mrs. Gipson is a visionary Christian leader who focuses on improving the growth and development of young women in the Los Angeles area.  Out of her willingness to reach out to young Christian ladies, “Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE)” was born and the first conference held in April 2006.   As Co-founder and Chairperson of the now annual “Women in Leadership Breakfast” in Carson, Mrs. Gipson had the vision to honor women leaders who have made a difference in the community. 

Rev. Jawane Hilton is a cutting edge motivator, community advocate and orator of the Gospel.  Rev. Hilton is a graduate of California State University, Northridge where he majored in Ethnic Studies and minored in Urban Development.  In October of 2007, Rev. Hilton gave birth to the long awaited vision of “City on the Hill Church” Ministry which is concerned with building healthy people. He has been instrumental in finding and placing inner city youth in summer jobs.

Mrs. Shirley Hirschberg is the consummate community volunteer who exemplifies “helping others.”  Working with both individuals and groups in non-profit organizations, corporations, retirement facilities, churches and synagogues, she has given hope and has enhanced the quality of life to many who have had shattered personal experiences.  As an active member of the Jewish Reform Synagogue, Temple Akiba in Culver City, her religious commitment has provided her with a loving community and the ability to provide strength and encouragement to others.

Mr. Charles Peters is an outstanding educator, accomplished businessman and entrepreneur.  He has been saluted for his academic excellence. He has been recognized as the youngest principal ever in the Los Angeles High School Public School System when he has selected to be the principal of Manual Arts High School.  He founded National Housing Consultants, Inc., a successful consulting and development firm specializing in multi-family residential development.  Mr. Peters is an accomplished pianist and gifted choral conductor and has served as Minister of Music and Director of the Sanctuary Choir, Trinity Baptist Church, Los Angeles.  He is the composer and arranger of several music compositions, including The Easter Story – an Easter Contata and Romantica Serenade.

Bennie Reams, Ed. D. is an accomplished educator, guidance counselor, California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Licensed Educational Psychologist.  Her knowledge, training, and certifications have prepared her for a multi-faceted career which included her work as a teacher, high school administrator, and trainer of mental health specialists.  Service to the community and to our schools is of utmost importance to Dr. Reams.  She is a member of LeMoyne-Owen College’s Board of Trustees and has been the President of the LeMoyne-Owen College National Alumni Association.  Dr. Reams is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., President of Women of Blue and White (a non-profit organization), National Education Foundation (NEF), Top Ladies of Distinction (TLOD) and the National Association of University Women, South Central LA Branch, and Holman United Methodist Church.

Dr. Kanika White is a lifelong educator and principal of William Jefferson Clinton Elementary School, where she drives the overall educational program to ensure that her students are academically growing and have access to high quality instruction.  She is also a member of the adjunct faculty at Argosy University. Dr. White is deeply committed to improving her craft and better serving the disenfranchised.  She is a life member of the National Alliance of Black School Educators which tackles many issues faced by educators and students of color. Through the Association of Compton Unified School Administrators, she collaborates with educators throughout California on key issues supports educators in Compton.

Ms. Valerie Cannon was the chairperson and Ms. Cora Jackson-Fossett, Public Information Director for Los Angeles Department of Public Works and the first African-American female elected to the Board of Directors of the American Public Works Association, served as Mistress of Ceremony.  Proceeds from the affair are used to fund scholarships to deserving high school and college students in the community.
Ms. Mattie Starks presented seven scholarships to Donald Boone-Neal, a sophomore majoring in Business Administration at Tuskegee University; Ezra Edmond, a senior majoring in Animation and Digital Arts at the University of Southern California;  Eric Evans, a sophomore who is majoring in Applied Mathematics at the University of California, Riverside; Nyeelah Matthews, a freshman at Spelman College who plans to major in Psychology; Evan Scoggins, a junior at San Diego State University, who is pursuing a major in Graphic Design; Jonee Watt, a senior at California State University at San Bernardino majoring in Psychology; and Imogene Wiliams, a sophomore majoring in Dance and Psychology at Smith College. 

Christopher Davis, a student at the Colburn Conservatory, entertained the attendees with beautifully played renditions of “Impromptu in E-Flat Major by Franz Schubert” and “Moments Musical by Sergei Rachmaninoff”.  Each of the honorees was serenaded with their favorite song beautifully sung by Stephanie Scoggins and the accomplished pianist, Darrell Alston.

Christiana Worthams, NAUW National Recording Secretary, introduced the 2011 Hall of Fame Honorees.  The Induction Ceremony was conducted by Audrey Jordan, NAUW Southwest Sectional Director, Valerie Cannon, and Gwendolyn White, 2nd Vice President and President of NAUW, South Central LA Branch.

Dr. Carolyn Minor, daughter of the founder, Carrie A. Haynes, gave remarks on behalf of the family and presented each of the honorees with a copy of Good News on Grape Street, authored by founder Carrie A. Haynes. The hotel ballroom was beautifully decorated with green and white and accented with gorgeous white lilies in tall glass vases which formed the table center pieces.