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chool Days: Our beloved Hampton Institute (University) helped shape the journeys of my life in profound ways. Each year brought an experience that permanently tied me to my “Home by the Sea”. During the first semester of my freshman year, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Consequently, it is difficult to think of the forgiveness, mercy, discipline, peace or joy I receive from Christ without associating it with Hampton. Standing on the steps of Ogden Hall during the second semester of my freshman year, I wailed in agony along with others after hearing the news of Dr. King’s assassination. That moment in time began my relentless journey of seeking justice, redemption and empowerment for my people, including developing local, state and national organizations to address these issues. During my sophomore year, I was ecstatic when one of the HI African Diaspora students spent Thanksgiving in North Carolina with my family

and me. The seeds of love for Africa that grew out of that friendship led to involvement in humanitarian and corporate projects in Africa and to serving as a consultant for youth leaders in many independent African nations.

As a Speech and Drama Major, I represented the Department as Miss Hampton Players during my junior year. Long grueling hours spent in the C. C. Armstrong Building with the greatest Drama professors on earth, helped prepare me to receive a Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Speech and Drama; perform in a cross-country and world tour; and appear in TV and radio commercials, industrial films and an Academy Award nominated film.

The summer before my senior year, Hampton sent me to Sweden as a student ambassador. It ignited a passion for travel and a love for all people that have led to work in nearly 50 nations. I can always say HU literally opened up new worlds. During my senior year, I was elected as the president of the co-ed dormitory and I married the President of Hampton’s Student Government Association.

Life since Graduation: Years later that little taste of politics evolved into political appointments in the Administrations of two US Presidents and personal interaction with political figures around the world. The pain of divorce from the Hamptonian whom I married and challenges of being a single parent to our daughter, Eboni, (Hampton ’97), were the catalyst for my passion to help strengthen and rebuild the African American family and to focus on youth development issues. This undoubtedly has been instrumental in helping my present husband, Bradley, and me to enjoy a wonderful, healthy marriage. So, even the outcomes of my married life cannot be extricated totally from my Hampton experience.

The independent, entrepreneurial spirit pervasive on Hampton’s campus is manifested through my current business which provides global services in the areas of media/entertainment, economic development, youth and family development and health advocacy. I also have two beautiful, brilliant, future Hamptonian granddaughters, Leylah and Zoe!

It was a profound honor to receive the Hampton University’s 1991 Twentieth -Year Outstanding Alumni Award.

““NNoonnee ooff tthhiiss wwaass ppoossssiibbllee wwiitthhoouutt gguuiiddaannccee ffrroomm tthhee HHoollyy SSppiirriitt;; aanndd,, aarrttss ttrraaiinniinngg,, ssoocciiaall jjuussttiiccee ccoonnsscciioouussnneessss,, aanndd ppeerrssoonnaall ccoonnffiiddeennccee,, aallll nnuurrttuurreedd oorr bbiirrtthheedd aatt oouurr bbeeaauuttiiffuull HHoommee bbyy tthhee SSeeaa!!””

Northern Virginia Chapter,

NHAA, Inc.

Courtesy of EFG Productions, Inc.

8/30 – 9/2

2009 National HBCU Week Conference at the Renaissance Hotel, Washington, D.C.

5 ALUMNI DAY at Hampton University

FOOTBALL / Hampton U. vs. North Carolina Central U. (Alumni/ Military Appreciation Day) in Hampton, VA at 6 PM

12 MCMD Chapter/Mystics College Alumni Basketball Game vs. Atlanta Dream, Verizon Center in Washington, DC at 7 PM

19

MCMD Chapter Meeting at 11 AM, Rockville Library

20 MCMD Chapter Dinner Theater Event, "AIDA," 10:30 AM at Toby’s, The Dinner Theatre of Baltimore

26 PARENTS WEEKEND/NHAA Leadership Retreat at HU

FOOTBALL / Hampton U. vs. Delaware State U. (Parents Weekend/ Greek Day) in Hampton, VA at 6 PM

29 OPENING CONVOCATION at HU

Memorial Church ~ constructed in 1886, the pews in this Italian

Renaissance building were fabricated out of yellow pine

by Hampton Trade School students **

August October S M T W T F S S M T W T F S 1 1 2 3

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30 31

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

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66 77

LLaabboorr DDaayy 88 99 1100 1111 1122

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1133 1144 1155 1166 1177 1188 1199 225566 225577 225588 225599 226600 226611 226622

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Campus photos herein by Arthur Jackson

* Source of cover photo: postcard from early 1900’s ** Source: “Hampton Institute Historical Brochure – Visions of Our Past.”

Hampton Institute. HU Office of Public Relations.

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