Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. — Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter — in conjunction with the Southeast Arkansas Jewel Foundation, thanks the sponsors and honorees of the 2026 Valentine’s Scholarship Fundraiser, All Black Affair With a Touch of Gold. The fundraiser awarded $33,000 to 33 young men.
The gala was held Feb. 13. A sold-out crowd of 700 people attended the event at the Pine Bluff Convention Center, according to StuffinTheBluff.com.
Special thanks goes to Lloyd Lee CPA, the Pine Bluff Convention Center, Rice First Class Catering, Richard Redus, Kim Jones Sneed, Genevia Kelsey Thomas, The Heat Magazine, DJ Hill and Trina Jackson.
The fraternity would also like to thank the 2026 Community Jewel awardees, Quranner Cotledge, Lula Dickson and Carlton Saffa, as well as the President’s Award recipient Brother Daryl Scott.
In addition, Alpha Phi Alpha recognized Brother Booker T. Clemons, who was honored as an inductee into the Boys and Girl Club Hall of Fame.
“Most of all, we extend a hearty congratulations to this year’s record-breaking 33 scholarship recipients,” a spokesman said.
SPONSORS
The 2026 sponsors included:
JEWEL QUADRUPLE DIAMOND
Saracen Casino Resort
JEWEL LEVEL
In Honor of Lee Jewel Randle Sr.
YELLOW ROSE LEVEL
Brother Daryl Scott
Sissy’s Log Cabin
Walmart
OLD GOLD
Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church
Brother Robert Carr
Brother Booker T. Clemons
Brother Judge Earnest Brown Jr.
Brother Dr. Roy Burrell
Brother Judge Jackie Harris, Sr.
Brother Dr. Manuel Kelley
Brother Larry Kindle
Brother Arzo Knox
Brother Dr. Kenneth Lambert
Brother Dr. Toarian Milem
Brother Dr. Hazell Reed
Brother Calvin Thomas
Brother Charles Wesson
Brother Ricky Whitmore Jr.
Brother Rev. Dennis Wilson
Brother Dr. Giles Willis
Brother James Word
Brother Elder Ronnie Miller-Yow
Brown Funeral Home and Mortuary
Late Brother Calvin Matlock & Family
Phinal 4 Line Brothers of Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church
Relyance Bank
Southeast Arkansas College
Simmons Bank
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
BLACK
Brother William Campbell
Brother Harold Clark
Brother Brandun Flannigan/Brother Dr. Mark Suggs
Brother Robert Knott Sr.
Brother Frisco McDonald
Brother Gregory Murray
Abraham Carpenter and Carpenter Farms
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. — Delta Omega Omega Chapter
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas
City Attorney Althea Hadden-Scott
City Clerk Janice Roberts/Brother Everett Wallace
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. — Pine Bluff Alumnae Chapter
First Ward Living Grace Pantry
Impact Management Group
Jefferson County Elected Officials
Jefferson Regional Medical Center
Mrs. Lula B. Gray for Late Brother H.O. Gray
Mrs. Lula Dickson
Mr. Quranner Cotledge
Mr. George Stepps
Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc. — Mu Chi Chi Chapter
New St. Hurricane Missionary Baptist Church
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. — Tau Phi Chapter
Pine Bluff Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Pink Print Tax Service
State Rep. Kenneth Ferguson, District 64
State Rep. Rev. Glenn Barnes Sr., District 65
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. — Alpha Chi Sigma Chapter
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. — Epsilon Zeta Zeta Chapter
“Please mark your calendar for next year’s event. It is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 12, 2027, at 7:06 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there,” a spokesman said.