Alphas’ gala awards $18,000 to local students

The Valentine’s Scholarship Fundraiser, hosted by the Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., filled the arena of the Pine Bluff Convention Center and provided scholarships to local students.

Sponsored by the Southeast Arkansas Jewel Foundation in Pine Bluff, the fundraiser awarded $18,000 in scholarships.

More than 650 people attended the gala, which included a catered meal, presentations, fellowship and dancing. This event, held at the Pine Bluff Convention Center on Feb. 9, distributed scholarships to benefit high school seniors in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County.

“Alpha Phi Alpha’s commitment to their National Initiative, Go to High School, Go to College, was evident through the scholarships awarded to deserving youth, underscoring the organization’s dedication to assisting students in achieving their educational aspirations. The Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter continues to set a high standard in the community when it comes to providing scholarship support to students in need,” according to a news release.

During the event, community members Barbara Dunn, Marshall Kelley, and Lee Jewel Randle were celebrated for their contributions, reflecting the spirit of unity and support that defined the evening.

Alpha Phi Alpha President Jackie Harris summed up the significance of scholarships.

“Scholarships make a difference,” he said.

These words were aimed at highlighting the power of financial aid in shaping the future of aspiring scholars and leaders.

“Looking ahead to the future, the seeds that were planted on this night will undoubtedly reap a harvest for many years to come. As we celebrate the 2024 Legacy Scholarship Awardees and Alpha Jewel Foundation Scholarship recipients, we witness the community’s unwavering commitment to nurturing and empowering the next generation of leaders,” according to the release. “The evening served as a testament to the unity and generosity of the Pine Bluff community, showcasing how collective efforts can uplift and inspire individuals to reach their full potential. As we reflect on the success of this event, it is clear that the impact of these scholarships will resonate for years to come, paving the way for a brighter and more promising future for all those who benefit from them.”

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

The scholarship recipients, their high schools, their planned college and majors and the Alpha scholarship sponsors include:

Chandler L. Blunt — Pine Bluff High School, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Major: Nursing; Brother Booker T. and Ruthie Clemons Alpha Jewel Scholarship.

Chandler Laurent — Pine Bluff High School, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Major: Rehabilitation Services; Brother Judge Jackie and Letrece Harris Alpha Jewel Scholarship.

John Richardson — White Hall High School, Morehouse College, Major: Biochemistry; Brother Dr. Manuel and Charlene Kelly Alpha Jewel Scholarship.

John Thompson — Pine Bluff High School, Arkansas State University, Major: Economics with Pre-Emphasis in Law; Late Brother Artis Mendenhall Alpha Jewel Scholarship sponsored by Brother Calvin and Genevia Thomas.

Zyshawn Hoover — University Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Major: Health, Physical Education and Recreation; Late Brother Hubert Brown Scholarship sponsored by the Gamma Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Landon Holcomb — Pine Bluff High School, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Major: Kinesiology; Brother Dr. Hazell Reed Alpha Jewel Scholarship.

Landon Rhodes — Pine Bluff High School, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Major: Electrical Engineering; Brother Dr. Laurence and Veronica Alexander Alpha Jewel Scholarship.

Zric Washington Jr. — Pine Bluff High School, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Major: Industrial Engineering; Norman J. Toney Alpha Jewel Scholarship sponsored by Brother Larry Kindle in honor of his brother.

Briana Barbee — Pine Bluff High School, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Major: Nursing; Essie Lee Reynolds Alpha Jewel Scholarship sponsored by Brother James and Shirley Word in honor of his mother-in-law.

E’layah Jones — Pine Bluff High School, University of Central Arkansas, Major: Animal Science & Business Management; Brother Charles and Betty Wesson Alpha Jewel Scholarship.

Jah’Miyah Matthews — Pine Bluff High School, North Carolina A&T University, Major: Social Work; Earnest Brown Sr. and Shirley A. Brown Alpha Jewel Scholarship sponsored by Brother Judge Earnest Brown Jr. and Tina Brown in honor of his parents.

Phuong Yen Dang — White Hall High School, University of Central Arkansas, Major: Nursing; Brother Daryl and Joyce Grant Scott Alpha Jewel Scholarship.

Remia Smothers — Pine Bluff High School, University of Central Arkansas, Major: Business; Brother Parnell and Dr. Jacquelyn Williams McCray Alpha Jewel Scholarship.

Tamara Tate — Pine Bluff High School, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Major: Biology; Brother Dr. Roy and Keidra Burrell Alpha Jewel Scholarship.

Taylor Nelson — White Hall High School, Grambling State University, Major: Pre Law/Biology; Brother Dr. Kenneth Lambert and Donna Terrell Lambert Alpha Jewel Scholarship.

Antonio Madison — Pine Bluff High School, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Major: Business and Finance; Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church Alpha Jewel Scholarship.

Kaitlyn Lambert — White Hall High School, Arkansas Tech University, Major: Education; Alpha Jewel Foundation Scholarship.

Parker DeWayne Todd — White Hall High School, Arkansas State University, Major: Animal Science; Alpha Jewel Foundation Scholarship.

COMMUNITY HONOREES

Three individuals will be honored as Jewels of the Community:

Marshall Kelley — Kelly is owner, manager and operator of Brown Funeral Home and Mortuary Service. Kelley was born and raised in Marvell.

He graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He has one daughter, Marsha Peters, who is married to Leslie Peters, and one granddaughter, Leslie Madelyn.

He has been serving Pine Bluff and the surrounding area for more than 42 years.

“Since 1944, Brown Funeral Home and Mortuary Service have shown Arkansas that quality truly does matter. Locally owned, with three locations and a staff of professional funeral directors, Brown has been recognized as outstanding in the funeral service industry. This is a reflection of Mr. Kelley’s tenacity, consistency and perseverance as a business owner. He is the epitome of excellence when it comes to providing service and having the knowledge as well as expertise in treating people with dignity and respect during their most difficult time of life,” according to a news release.

“One of Mr. Kelley’s sayings is ‘Our family serves your family.’ It’s more than just a saying for him. It’s a way of life. It’s truly the personal service generously given from the leader of a caring staff who provide quality funeral services – which is the Brown difference – or we might say the Kelley difference,” according to the release.

Lee Jewell Randle — Randle is founder of L.J. Randle Construction Co. Randle is from Taylor, Ark. The eldest of eight children born amidst the Great Depression, he was required to help care for his younger siblings while his parents worked. Because of this, and likely what we now know to be a form of dyslexia, his formal education ended at age 9. His math skills and work ethic were such that he began working and saving during his pre-adolescence years.

As a teenager, Randle landed a job at International Paper Co. in Springhill, La., and eventually relocated to Pine Bluff. This is where he honed his building skills while working as an apprentice under his mentor, Willie Jack.

In 1972, alongside his wife, Gloria Warren Randle, he founded L.J. Randle Construction Co. Together they began the business by constructing homes initially for Rural Development and Farmers Homes Administration. After being denied funds for business development by a local financial institution, they decided to try financing homes themselves. They financed hundreds of homes, churches and businesses in Arkansas and Louisiana.

Now with his son Lee Randle Jr. at the construction helm and Yvette Randle Oswell, M.D., attempting to fill her mother’s shoes in management, the company continues to thrive.

He continues to be an Arkansas licensed contractor and has held professional memberships in the National Home Builder’s Association. He is also a proud lifetime member of the NAACP. He was a 2018 Chancellor’s Benefit Honoree recognized for being a change agent for the state of Arkansas.

Barbara A. Dunn — Dunn is the executive director of Institutional Advancement at Southeast Arkansas College, where she oversees community relationships, business partnerships, fundraising efforts, special events, and the Southeast Arkansas College Foundation Board.

She was born and raised in Pine Bluff. She has been married to the love of her life, Otis, for 32 years. She has two children, Olandera and Otis III, and a granddaughter, Brooklyn.

Dunn is a graduate of Watson Chapel High School, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in industrial technology, and Webster University, where she obtained her Master of Arts degree in Management and Leadership and Master of Arts in Human Resource Management.

This year marks her 24th year at SEARK. Prior to her current position, Dunn has been director of marketing and public relations, director of admissions, director of recruitment, coordinator of international student recruitment, registrar, grant writer, career service coordinator, instructor of student success, and student advisor.

Dunn is a graduate of the 2013 Leadership Pine Bluff Class and a graduate of the 2015 Leadership Arkansas Class. She currently serves on the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce Red Coats, the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce Executive Board of Directors, and the Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission.