Congratulations to the Johnson C. Smith University men’s and women’s basketball teams for sweeping the CIAA basketball championship games recently. The score of the women’s game was J. C. Smith 49, Bowie State 36. The score of the men’s game was J. C. Smith 70, Virginia Union 63.
We want to say thank you to the Food Lion Corporation for sponsoring the CIAA women’s basketball tournament and presenting a check in the amount of $200,000 to the CIAA tournament. We also want to say thanks for sponsoring the Black Achievers program. We appreciate the seminars taught by Food Lion executives each month.
Claudine Miller is currently employed with Food Lion and has worked there for 12 years. Her position is talent acquisition assistant. Claudine is also a member of the Black Achievers Steering Committee. Mrs. Miller presented us with opportunities to attend the CIAA college day and serve as volunteers for the basketball tournament. We eagerly accepted the offer.
CIAA College Day
On Feb. 25, we attended the CIAA College Day. Registration began at 8 a.m. The session began with a presentation by Food Lion executives on the interview process. This was followed with gifts being presented to those able to give the correct answers to questions about the interview process. After the presentation, we were able to meet with college recruiters and colleges of our interest.
Achievers attending the session were Kentoya Abner, Isha Clyde, Brian Harris, Ashia Holmes, Ayanna Holmes, Cenquaris Lawing, Odell McBride, Shakeya McBride, Isis Miller, Edward Wright and Justice Wright. The session ended at noon. We were given free tickets to attend the women’s basketball games scheduled for the day.
Volunteer work days
Feb. 27 was one of the volunteer work days. We issued T-shirts from 6 until 9 p.m. Steering committee members Keith Hart and Tony Harris helped Kenycita and me give T-shirts to every person attending the game ó approximately 3,500. Retired NBA basketball star Moses Malone (My dad calls him Mr. 4, 4, 4) and BET comedian Cheryl Underwood were at the game. After we finished, we were allowed to sit in the Food Lion private suite to have refreshments and watch the last game of the night. Kenycita and I agreed, being in the suite was a natural high (off the chain).
Second work day
Feb. 28 was another volunteer work day and the CIAA basketball championship finals. Steering committee members Tia Glass and Tony Harris were present with achievers Pariis Mooney, Bobbi Propst, Brianna Propst, Kenycita Swann and me. We stuffed bags with items and issued the bags to customers from 4 until 6 p.m., when we were relieved by other volunteers and allowed to watch the performances by Nelly, Anthony Hamilton, Little Boosie and Funk Master Flex. After the concerts, we received free tickets to the CIAA championship finals.
The rewards for doing volunteer work were great. We are looking forward to participating in the CIAA tournament next year.