7 honored at annual Sojourner Truth luncheon
Seven people who have excelled in education, business and community service were honored when the Buffalo Club of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs held its 49th annual Sojourner Truth Award and Founder’s Day Luncheon on Sunday in the Hearthstone Manor, Depew.
Alline W. Davis received the Sojourner Truth Award, the organization’s highest honor. Active in the club on the local and district levels since 1989, she has served as president as well as chairwoman of the Sojourner Truth Awards Luncheon and the annual Snowball Dinner Dance. A graduate of the University at Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in human services with a minor in mental health, she has worked with the Small Business Administration, Housing Opportunities Made Equal and the Housing Assistance Center, where she has been director of the Head of Household Program.
Buffalo City Judge James A. W. McLeod received the Man of the Year Award. A member of the first graduating class at Herkimer County Community College and first president of its Student Senate, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Fredonia State College and his law degree from the UB Law School. In addition to his private practice, he served as a Family Court hearing examiner, assistant Erie County attorney and head of the City Court public defender program before being elected to his first 10-year term as City Court judge in 1998.
The Business Award went to Carla Singleton, president and chief executive officer of Singleton Construction Consultants, which she founded in 2004. She has 23 years of experience in architecture and construction management. She earned her bachelor’s degree in architecture from Howard University and has worked for Cannon Design in Buffalo and Harry Weese & Associates in Washington,D. C.
Randa Rene Welch received the Professional Award. An insurance broker with Briceland Insurance Agency in Williamsville, she has 20 years of experience in the insurance business. Also a state-certified driver safety instructor, she operates Drive Wise, which holds defensive-driving classes throughout the area. She also is a licensed missionary in Church of God in Christ, is president of the Professional Business Women at Zion and has hosted a weekly radio show, “The Business Women’s Network.”
The Rev. Cleveland P. Howell received the Community Service Award. Joining Urban Christian Ministries as a volunteer in 1982, he did volunteer service while working in chemical research for Pratt & Lambert for several years until going full time into youth ministry. He became executive director of Urban Christian Ministries in 2005 and was named pastor of Greater Faith Temple Church of God in Christ last August.
Two Student Incentive Awards were presented.
Kiara D. Taggart, a senior who was academically accelerated in her junior year at Burgard High School, will graduate a year early with a Regents diploma. She plans to become a pediatrician, has been offered an internship at the Erie County Medical Center-Cleve-Hill Family Medical Clinic and plans to enroll in the University at Buffalo in the fall.
Kayla L. Witherspoon, a junior at City Honors School, has been on the honor roll for three years. An accomplished musician, she has studied piano for 11 years and is a member of the All-High Marching Band and the Buffalo Select Chorus, performing at many public events. She also is president of the City Honors African Dance troupe. She plans to major in journalism and communication at Canisius College with a minor in music.
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