The Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., in conjunction with the Southeast Arkansas Jewel Foundation, presented the annual Valentine’s Scholarship Fundraiser on Feb. 13, where $33,000 in scholarships were awarded.
The evening brought together educators, families, community leaders and supporters at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. With more than 700 in attendance, $1,000 scholarships were awarded to 33 outstanding young men in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County, according to a news release.
“The Go-to-High School, Go-to-College initiative reflects Alpha Phi Alpha’s long-standing dedication to developing leaders and promoting academic success,” according to a news release.
Three citizens were honored as Community Jewels: Lula Dickson, Quranner Cotledge and Carlton Saffa.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Dickson worked at the Pine Bluff Arsenal in various capacities for more than 30 years, where she was honored with numerous awards. Cotledge’s work spanned 43 years in state government, youth mentorship and civic engagement. Saffa serves as chief market officer at Saracen Casino Resort and was Saracen’s first employee and oversaw the licensure of the enterprise in all forums.
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
The following scholarships were awarded:
1. Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Nicholas Webster will major in business/sport management. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is on the basketball team.
2. Brother Judge Jackie Harris Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Keiran L. Smith will attend the University of Arkansas, majoring in agricultural business. He attends Watson Chapel High School and is on the football team and is a member of the Watson Chapel Gentlemen’s Club.
3. Brother Judge Earnest and Mrs. Tina R. Brown Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient JayQuan Delane Cannon. He will attend the University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech, majoring in welding. He attends Watson Chapel High School and participates in boxing, welding and football.
4. Brother Dr. Hazell Reed Legacy Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Sebastian Eal attends the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, majoring in agriculture business. He is a member of the Gamma Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
5. Brother Arzo and Dr. Wilda Knox Legacy Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient and Jordan Anderson. He will attend Jackson State University, majoring in music education. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is a member of the band, Gentlemen’s Club, National Honor Society and Upward Bound.
6. Brother Booker and the late Mrs. Ruthie Clemons Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Jeremiah Mitchell will attend either the University of Oklahoma or UAPB, majoring in nursing. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is on the basketball team.
7. Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Chase Farris. He will attend UAPB, majoring in criminal justice. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is on the football and track teams.
8. Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Braylin Long will attend Texas State University, majoring in cybersecurity. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is on the football team and is a member of the Beta Club.
9. Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Christian Murray, who will attend the University of Arkansas to major in animal science. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is on the track team.
10. Brother Dr. Toarian Milem Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Nicholas Norfolk Jr. attends UAPB, majoring in business marketing. He is a part of Black Male Achievements, Investment club, Black Essence Modeling, UAPB ROTC Program, UAPB Vesper, Entrepreneurship Club and the Gamma Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha.
11. Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient MD Rahat will attend the University of North Texas, majoring in business. He attends Pine Bluff High School and participates in soccer, football and robotics.
12. Brother Charles and Mrs. Betty Wesson Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Ayden Luckett will attend UAPB or Arkansas State University. He will major in business political science. He attends Watson Chapel High School and is part of the track and football teams.
13. Late Mr. Armechi D. Morgan Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship, sponsored by his uncle and aunt, Brother James and Mrs. Shirley Word, recipient Jonathan Campbell will attend UAPB, majoring in agricultural science. He attends Watson Chapel High School and is involved in boxing, swimming and mixed martial arts and does mechanical work.
14. Late Mrs. LaDorothy Wilson and the Late Ms. Gussie Thomas Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship, sponsored by Brother Rev. Dennis W. and Mrs. Uyolanda Wilson, recipient Terrence Wyrick Jr. will attend Jackson State University. He will major in business management as well as political science. He attends Watson Chapel High School and is part of the Art Club, Yearbook, WC News, Drama Club, Real Estate Club, FCCLA, FBLA and was the first Mr. Watson Chapel High School.
15. Fall 2025 Initiates of Delta Sigma Lambda (Phinal Four) Brothers Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Carmello Wilson will attend Howard University, majoring in philosophy/pre-law. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is part of FBLA, JAG, Student Council, Chess Club, Gentlemen’s Club and Debate and Forensics.
16. Brother Dr. Roy and Mrs. Keidra Burrell Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Kaden French will attend UAPB, majoring in computer science. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is part of the Zebras football and baseball teams.
17. Brother Dr. Kenneth Lambert and Mrs. Donna Terrell Lambert Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Lamarcus Morris Jr. will attend Alabama State University, majoring in biology pre-medicine/nursing. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is part of the band, track, student council, FBLA, Skills USA and cheer manager.
18. Norman J. Toney Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship Sponsored by his brother Larry Kindle, recipient Kendol Greenwood will attend Arkansas State University, majoring in animal science. He attends Pine Bluff High School.
19. Late Brother Artis Mendenhall Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship, sponsored by Brother Calvin and Mrs. Genevia Thomas, recipient Isaiah Taylor will attend the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He will major in radiology. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is part of JAG and Gentlemen’s Club.
20. Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship Alpha Jewel Foundation Scholarship recipient JaCeleb Evans will be attending Southern Arkansas University, majoring in veterinary studies. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is a part of the art club, chamber choir and accounting club.
21. Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship Alpha Jewel Foundation Scholarship recipient Wesley Center will attend the University of Arkansas, majoring in psychology. He attends White Hall High School and is part of the football team, track team and Beta Club.
22. Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Foundation Legacy Scholarship recipient Malachi Rayford will be attending Arkansas State University, majoring in electrical engineering. He attends Watson Chapel High School. He is part of the Beta Club, FCCLA, FBLA, football and Real Estate Club.
23. Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Dylan Parker will attend the University of Arkansas, majoring in electrical engineering. He attends Watson Chapel High School. He is a part of the football team, Gentlemen’s Club, FBLA, FCCLA, Art Club, Chess Club, Drama Club, Real Estate Club and Ivy Center for Education.
24. Brother Dr. Manuel and Mrs. Charlene Kelley Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Adam Price will be attending UAPB, majoring in computer science. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is part of the National Honor Society, KKAC Growing Seeds ambassador, All Region Choir and Boys State.
25. Brother Daryl and Mrs. Joyce Grant Scott Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Chandler Parker will attend the University of Central Arkansas, majoring in social work/psychology. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is part of the debate program and the Distinguished Gentlemen’s Club.
26. Brother Thomas Vaughns Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship, sponsored by Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church, recipient Donnell Reed Jr. will attend Jackson State University, majoring in psychology. He attends White Hall High School and is a member of the baseball team, FBLA, FCCLA and FCA.
27. Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Clarence Pope will be attending Butte College, majoring in architecture/sports management. He attends Pine Bluff High School.
28. Late Charles Lee and Martha Rae McCollum Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship, sponsored by Brother Robert Carr and sisters Tamika, Stephanie and Patrece, recipient DeArrius Logwood will attend Clark Atlanta University, majoring in biology. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is part of the Gentlemen’s Club, Kappa League and Ivy Center for Education.
29. Late Mrs. Ella M. Whitmore Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship, sponsored by her son and daughter-in-law Brother Ricky and Mrs. Roselyn Whitmore Jr., recipient Kelton Stepps will be attending Jackson State University, majoring in psychology and music. He attends Watson Chapel High School and is part of the band, art club, drama club, National Honor Society and book club.
30. Brother Elder Ronnie and Lady Shantella Miller Yow Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Nasir Hunter will be attending the University of Central Arkansas, majoring in engineering. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is part of the Ethics and Debate Club.
31. Brother Dr. Giles Willis Jr. and Dr. Kimberly Willis Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Sammarion Farris will attend Jackson State University, where he will major in civil engineering. He attends Watson Chapel High School and is part of the band, ROTC, FCCLA, Gentlemen’s Club, National Honor Society and Real Estate Club.
32. Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Melvin Henderson will be attending Carthage University, majoring in neuro science/pre-medicine. He attends Pine Bluff High School and is part of Robotics, FBLA, NHS, speech and debate.
33. Brother Dr. Manuel and Mrs. Charlene Kelley Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship recipient Demetric Butler will be attending UAPB, majoring in data analytics. He attends Watson Chapel High School and is a member of the football team. He also has a lawn care business.
