By: Rebecca S. Jones
African-American News&Issues
HOUSTON- The Brentwood Community Foundation Scholarship Committee recently celebrated its 30th Anniversary with a Fashion Show and Luncheon. The theme: “A Pearl Celebration – Investing in the Future” was produced by Macy’s. The event was held at Hilton Americas-Houston located at 1600 Lamar Avenue.
Executive Director of the Brentwood Community Foundation, Glenda Hopkins began the celebration with a welcome, followed by Marium Echo’s melodious Meditation of “This Day” who also performed a beautiful rendition “Summertime” as a prelude to the “Pearl Celebration”. After which lunch was served and Lamar Frazier the 2012 Scholarship Committee Chairperson introduced the Master of Ceremonies: The Honorable Sylvester Turner. Turner who then invited Texas’ own Sheila Jackson Lee to have expressions. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee saluted Pastor & Sis. Joe S. Ratliff and addressed the awaiting audience of over 900 as she commended Brentwood for its continued success in investing into the community. She further encouraged and admonished participants to: “Never give up and never give out!” The celebration continued with bestowing honor to the foundation’s charter members, and a tribute to the donors that have assisted with supporting the organization.
The Fashion Show was presented in six scenes: “Sunday Best”, “Modernism”, “A Magical Journey-Brazil”, “Here Comes the Sun”, “Star Power”, and the final scene “Sparkle and Shine”. The models were amidst a diverse group which exhibited elegant, trendy, stylish, and dazzling apparel as they each embraced the runway with their individually unique and enchanting personalities.
Esteemed guests and participants in attendance at the celebration included: Sheila Wheatley-Clark, Augusta Green (Committee members), Kristyn Page (Macy’s Director of Diversity Strategies), Dr. Joe S. Ratliff (Pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church), Ed Smith (Ed Smith & Associates, Public Relations Rep. for Macy’s), Mittie Anderson and a plethora of other affiliation representatives, pastors and non-profit organizations.
The 30th Celebration proved to be a great success with members and affiliates of the Brentwood Community Scholarship Foundation receiving over $170,000 in donations toward its cause.
