​2009 - Reverend Vincent Windrow

A native of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Vincent Windrow believes that “success is not a one night stand.” In other words, he believes and has demonstrated that the only boundaries to success that exist do so in our own minds and that success can be achieved in every season of one's life.

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From being the Vice President of a $17 million technology firm for thirteen years to being the Pastor of a 1450 member church with two locations and four worship services to now also being the Director of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs at Middle Tennessee State University, Windrow continues to prove that “as a man thinketh, so is he.” He chooses to maximize all his talents and abilities.

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Windrow is a graduate of both MTSU and American Baptist College. He has served as Black Alumni President and as a Board member of MTSU's Honors College. Vincent is presently a Board Member of the United Way Of Rutherford and Cannon Counties. He has also served on numerous committees and strategic work groups and was recently inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society in acknowledgement of his community contributions and commitment in supporting superior scholarship and good character.

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Windrow's leadership exploits have been featured in the USA Today, The Nashville Business Journal, The Tennessean, Inspired Living Magazine and other regional and local newspapers and periodicals. He is also a community columnist for the Daily News Journal and is a life-time member of the NAACP and a long time member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

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Windrow has been married to his wife, Stacy for over thirteen years. The couple resides in Smyrna, Tennessee with their children, Lorenzo and Jewell.

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2008 - Robert W. Churchwell, Jr.

Robert W. Churchwell, Jr. was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee and is a product of the Metropolitan Nashville Public School System. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Tennessee State university in 1965. He later went on to earn is Masters of Science degree in Education Administration and Supervision (K-1) from Tennessee State University in 1967.

Mr. Churchwell began his teaching career in the Metropolitan Nashville Public School System at North High School as the band director. Two years later, he was chosen as the chairman of the Music Department and Director of Bands at Whites Creek Comprehensive High School. In 1991, he was promoted to an assistant principal at John Overton Comprehensive High School and six years later, he was promoted to principal of the Nashville School of the Arts.

Involvement in his community has been extensive and includes appointments to the Board of Directors for Family and Children Services, Ronald McDonald House, Parthenon Patrons and the Tennessee Repertory Theater. In addition, Mr. Churchwell is a Certified Lay Speaker with the United Methodist Church and serves as the Lay Leader for Seay Hubbard United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He is the Scout master of Boy Scout Troop 28 and District Chairman of Membership for the Boy Scouts, Nashboro District. Most recently, Mr. Churchwell was selected by Nashville Mayor Karl Dean to serve on a 40 member task force that will give recommendations to the Mayor on how to solve the drop-out problem in the Metropolitan Nashville Public School System.

Mr. Churchwell's efforts and dedication to public education have been rewarded and recognized by the Boy Scouts of America, the Frist Foundation, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and by his Price Hall 100 Outstanding Black Men of Tennessee award.

Mr. Churchwell has two sons, William Ross and Robert Benjamin. His leisure activities include athletics, music and reading.

 

2007 - Mr. Ross Browner

"Winning isn't everything - it's the only thing!" In the famous words of Coach Vince Lombardi, Ross Browner knows what it means to be a winner. In a profession which averages endurance of two to three years, Ross played professional football in the National Football League for ten years.
 

Discipline, dedication and perseverance are three major elements in all of Ross' work. His career attests to his multi talented accomplishments. He developed from a slim, competitive swimmer to a strong Defensive End and was the Captain of the Western Reserve High School State Championship Football Team in his hometown of Warren, Ohio. He was heavily recruited by several major colleges, but accepted a scholarship to Notre Dame University. While there, the team won two national football championships. He was voted the team's Most Valuable Player and won several national awards which include the Outland Trophy, the Heisman Trophy for Defensive Lineman of the Year, the Vince Lombardi Trophy and the Robert Maxwell Trophy.

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Ross graduated from Notre Dame a Dean's list student with a B.A. in Economics. Soon thereafter, the Cincinnati Bengals drafted him in the first round. Voted the team's Most Valuable Player in 1978, he continued to be a valuable asset to the 1981 AFC Championship Team when he made the most tackles by a Defensive Lineman, setting a Superbowl record which he still holds.

Being a versatile athlete, Ross held the Notre Dame Heavyweight Boxing Championship title. In 1979 he won the NFL Boxing Championship Title. His solid power physical characteristics (6'4", 250 pounds) even won him an invitation to compete in the World's Strongest Man Contest.

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The eldest son of eight children, Ross made big shoes to fill. His magnetic personality and outstanding leadership qualities were much admired by his five brothers. Together, they all excelled in sports. All six were All American in high school football.
All six also played college football, with four of them progressing upward to the NFL ranks. In 1987, Ross' mother received a highly esteemed honor when she was named the very first and only NFL Mother of the Year.

A man of immense character, Ross' approachability and communication skills have kept him in the spotlight. He has been a very interesting subject for media interviews, which include Sports Illustrated, NFL Today, "Good Morning America," and even the "Bob Hope Special."

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Maintaining his popularity as a speaker to professional organizations, social agencies, youth groups and schools, Ross was chosen by Sports Illustrated as their Superbowl Representative. Through his Sports Entertainment Company, Browner Productions, Inc., he produces an annual Celebrity Golf Tournament, for which he has received much acclaim.

In 1998 his hometown honored him and inducted him into the Warren, Ohio Hall of Fame. Shortly thereafter, he was inducted into the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame. In 1999 Ross was inducted into the NCAA College Football Hall of Fame.

A winning personality, outstanding talent and zealous commitment cause Ross Browner to anticipate even greater opportunities to which he can dedicate himself in the promising future.

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2006 - Mr. Ron Armstead

Mr. Ron Armstead is the Executive Director for the Congressional Black Caucus Veterans Braintrust (CBCVB), a consultant to former Secretary Jesse Brown's Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, and past Chairman of the National Association of Black Social Workers, Veteran Affairs Committee.

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Ron has been Executive Director of the CBCVB since it's inception in 1988, under the successive chairmanships of Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), a decorated Korean War combat veteran and Dean of the NewYork Congressional Delegation, and Reps. Sanfords Bishop, Jr. (D-GA) and Corrine Brown (D-FL), both members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee since 1992.  Under their Congressional leadership and his direct efforts the Veteran Braintrust has expanded from its small core group to become the premiere forum for policy debate between veteran and representatives of government in the country.

Further, Ron has successfully completed the Harvard University Visiting Administrative Fellowship Program, at the School of Public Health under the leadership of Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith, a nationally known violence prevention advocate, and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Legislative Fellowship Program in 1995.

Furthermore, Ron is the recipient of numerous awards ranging from the Veterans Administration Medical Center Chief Medical Director's Commendation Award in 1983, Community Development Awards, Congressional Black Caucus (1990), the Boston Neighborhood Fellows Award (1993), Congressional Recognition, Hon. Charles Rangel's (D-NY) (1993), Distinguished Leadership Award, American Biographical Institute (2000), and Governor's Citation, State of Maryland (2002).

Lastly, he has been invited on several occasions as an observer to attend the World Veterans Federation (WVF), Executive Committee Meeting in Marrakech, Morocco (1995); 10th Annual Standing Committee on African Affairs Meeting in Rabt, Morocco (1998); the 50th Anniversary, or 23rd General Assembly Meeting held in Paris, France (2000); and the 11th Annual Standing Committee on African Affairs Meeting in Abuja, Nigeria (2001).

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2005 - Michael T. James

Pastor Michael T. James is the Senior Pastor of Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, Tennessee.  He has served as pastor since 1998 and his radical and bold teaching of God's word has changed the lives of people in other areas of the state of Tennessee.

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Under his leadership, Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church continues to grow numerically, financially and spiritually.  Pastor James has instituted debt-reduction campaigns, which led to the successful elimination of the church's mortgage balance of $70,000, in fourteen months.  In addition, he has helped reduce the personal debt of church members and created the Doers of the Word College Ministry, as a vibrant student organization at Middle Tennessee States University.  Pastor James serves as their advisor and this month, the Doers of the Word College Ministry released their first worship CD project, "Manifesting the Kingdom of God".  Pastor James continues to equip people in economics, leadership, and the present-day realities of the Kingdom of God.

Pastor James graduated from Oakland High School and was the first recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship of Rutherford County, Inc. Award in 1984.  He earned a bachelor's degree in Aerospace from Middle Tennessee State University as well as a Master's of Science from Southern Christian University.  Pastor James is a life members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Professionally, Pastor James is a Leadership Consultant with State Farm Insurance Companies, he serves as the chairperson for the Murfreesboro African-American Network Affinity Group and he is the president and CEO of Kingdom Building Consulting and Michael T. James Ministries, Inc.  During his career, he has achieved many community and civic awards, such as the Distinguished Service Awards from the City of Murfreesboro for his service on the Murfreesboro City School Board of Education.

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Pastor James if married to Minister Pamela M. James and together, they serve as spiritual parents for many people.  Pastor James has a weekly television broadcast called, "Manifesting the Kingdom of God" and he has also been anointed to host a weekly radio ministry in the Murfreesboro and Columbia areas.

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The commitment that Pastor James has shown to the church, his community and his television and radio audience is an inspiration to everyone.

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2004 - Congressman Harold Ford, Jr.

Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. was sworn in to represent the Ninth District of Tennessee in 1996 at age 26, and is now serving in his fourth term in the House. Ford represents a new generation of political leaders who seek to replace the partisan politics of the past with fresh ideas and a pragmatic approach to the challenges of the twenty-first century.

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Ford was recently appointed to the House Budget Committee, which shapes the broad outlines of the federal budget. In 2002, Ford teamed up with Representative Tom Osborne, from Nebraska, to author the "Call to Service  Act," a bill to expand the opportunities for Americans to perform national and community service. Ford also serves on the House Financial Services Committee. Ford introduced the "Consumer Credit Empowerment Act," a bill intended to help consumers better understand the credit reporting system, their credit ratings, and how to remain a safe credit risk. The bill would give consumers access to their credit scores and a clear explanation of how the score was completed. Consumers would be armed with the same access to information that lenders and creditors now enjoy, giving them the resources necessary to become better customers and investors.

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Since he was elected in 1996, Ford's main focus had been improving education, serving on the Education and Workforce Committee for three terms. Ford is a consistent supporter not only for increased funding for education, but also for stronger accountability - ideas which formed the basis of the "No Child Left Behind Act of 2001," the bipartisan legislation overhauling the federal role in K-12 education.

 

Ford is also an advocate of increasing college opportunities. He authored the "Make College Affordable Act" to help working families meet the rising tuition costs. The bill called for a tax deduction for higher education expenses, including tuition, fees, room and board, as well as interest on student loans. The higher education deduction became law as part of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.

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Ford was widely lauded for his successful efforts to persuade his colleagues to support the campaign finance reform legislation that passed the House in February 2002. In March 2003, he joined colleagues in introducing legislation to provide immediate relief for seniors struggling to meet the spiraling cost of prescription drugs. Ford is a member of several progressive, pro-growth coalitions, including the New Democrat Coalition, the Congres­sional Black Caucus and the Blue Dog Coalition.

Ford visited Afghanistan and Central Asia in March 2002 to visit American military bases and meet with President Hamid Karzei's new government. Ford worked with Republicans and Democrats to craft a resolution supporting diplomatic efforts to disarm Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime and authorizing the threat of military force. He has emphasized the importance of strengthening America's alliances and working with the international community.

 

2003 - Adolpho A. Birch

​EDUCATION
Howard University School of Law Doctor of Jurisprudence -1956
Howard University, Washington, D.C.; A.B. Degree -1956

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ACTIVITIES

Howard Law Review 1954-56 & HoNoRS Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity

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​PROFESSIONAL AND PUBLIC SERVICE
Legal Rights and Advocacy Committee National Mental Health Association
Deputy Imperial Legal Advisor, Shrine Imperial Council Member, President's Committee on Food and Nutrition
Member, Court of the Judiciary, 1983-84
Judge, Criminal Court of Davidson County, TN., Division III, 1978 to Present; Appointed Oct., 1978; Elected Aug., 1980; Re-elected Aug. 1982

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MAJOR AWARDS
Citizen of the Year, 1981, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity

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​​2002 - Honorable Herman Marable, Jr.

Herman Marable, Jr. was born in Flint, Michigan, October 4, 1962. He was elected as a Flint 68th District Judge on November 7, 2000. He took office on January 1, 2001. He was the first challenger since the early 1990's to defeat an incumbent judge in Genesee County, Michigan.

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Judge Marable earned his Juris Doctorate from the Ohio State University College of Law In 1987. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Public Policy with an emphasis in Metropolitan Studies from the James Madison College at Michigan State University, graduating in 1984. Judge Marable is a graduate of Roeper School in Oakland County, Michigan.

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He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, National Bar Association, American Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Michigan District Judges Association, The Association of Black Judges of Michigan, American Judges Association, Genesee County Bar Association, and the Mallory-Scott- Van Dyne Bar Association.

Judge Marable is admitted to practice before the courts of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and The United States Supreme Court.

 

2001 - Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III - D. Min.

Bishop Joseph Walker, III was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on July 28, 1967, to Deacon Joseph W. Walker, Jr. and Rosa H. Walker. He was educated at Fair Park High School in Shreveport. He received his B.A. from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt and Doctorate of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary all with honors.

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Bishop Walker was baptized, licensed and ordained in the Mount Canaan Baptist Church of Shreveport, Louisiana where Dr. Harry Blake serves as pastor. He has served in many capacities. He has served as campus minister for the Baptist Student Union at Southern University. He has served as General Overseer of College Ministries for the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship.

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Presently, he serves on the Bishop's Council of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship and is the Bishop of Evangelism.

Foremost, he is the pastor of the Mount Zion Baptist Church of Nashville, Tennessee. He began his pastorate in the spring of 1992, with 175 members and presently the ministry has grown to over 6000 and continues to grow at a phenomenal rate of over 1000 souls per year. Mount Zion has grown to 6 weekly services in 3 locations. Under his leadership, the church is presently engaged in the completion of a 12- million dollar ministry complex, which is the first phase of a 30-million dollar, 12-year project. He has a weekly television and daily radio ministry that blesses thousands of lives across the world.

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He is the President and CEO of J. W. Walker Ministries and President of Exodus Production, Inc. He serves as adjunct professor of Religion at Tennessee State University and is the author of From Tragedy to Triumph. He is a member of several organizations, including the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity , Inc. He has received numerous awards and has been featured in several publications.

Bishop Walker is married to Dr. Diane G. Walker, DDS. He is an anointed man of God for such a time as this.

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2000 - Dick Gregory

Dick Gregory is all of these things. Famous for his hunger strikes, his mobilizations for social change, his Bahamian diet, his comedy career and his anti-drug activities, Gregory is a unique and complex man who is difficult to pin a label on. When asked what he stands for, Gregory smiles and says "people". Mesmerizing and articulate, Gregory thrills his audiences with a remarkable combination of an his talents, leaving them with a positive message and new hope for the future.

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Credited with opening many doors for African Americans entertainers, Gregory found comedy an expedient avenue for getting people's attention, to make them think as well as laugh. An overweight, chain-smoking stand-up act (he later stopped smoking), Gregory became a household name in the 60's for his outspoken and provocative humor. Once he achieved success in the world of entertainment, Gregory shifted gears, and used his talents to help causes he knew needed help.

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His participation in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's is well-documented, as are his efforts for world peace, against hunger and on behalf of the American Indians. More recently, his face has appeared in newspapers across the country for his unique community action approach to stamping out drugs. He camped out in dealer- ridden public parks and rallied community leaders to shut down "head shops".

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His efforts have had a cost--Gregory was virtually barred from entertainment and he has been jailed numerous times for his part in demonstrations, but his unflagging sense of justice has led him from Louisiana to Iran, and from Ireland to Detroit, always working for human rights, and always "for people".

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An innovator, Gregory taught himself the basics of nutrition to lose his excess pounds. After years of work, research and development, he later marketed "The Bahamian Diet", which led to a resounding business success. His work on behalf of better nutrition has spanned the globe, and his nutritional supplements are now used by everyone from urban professionals to Third World countries. He has helped a number of hugely obese people (some topping 800 pounds) to regain normal lives. In addition, his nutrition research has helped hunger strikers around the world forward their cause without risk to life.

Dick Gregory's books include Dick Gregory's Natural Diet for Folk Who Eat, in addition to his acclaimed autobiography, Nigger. Always on the move, Gregory's lectures draw together threads of humor, insight, political savvy, action and sensitivity-which together weave a standing ovation.

1999 - Reverend Dr. Emmett C. Burns, Jr.

Dr. Emmett C, Bums, Jr. is the pastor and founder of Rising Sun First Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Burns received his B.S. from Jackson State University, Jackson, Mississippi, Masters of Divinity, (M.Div.) from Virginia Union University, Masters of Christian Education (M.C.E.) from Presbyterian School of Christian Education, and Ph.D. from University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Burns has pastored baptist churches in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Mississippi. Dr. Burns higher education experiences include professorships at University of Maryland and St. Mary's Institute. Dr. Burns was director of the Mississippi, Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. NAACP Chapters at various times from 1971 -1986. Dr. Burns presently is an adjunct Professor, St. Mary's Seminary & University. He is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates. Dr. Burns' Ph.D. Dissertation is entitled, "Love, Power and Justice as Central Elements In A View of Social Change: A Comparison and Evaluation In The Thought of Reinhold Niebuhr and Martin Luther King, Jr."

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1998 - Reverend Dr. Forrest E. Harris, Sr.

Dr. Forrest E. Harris, Sr. is the pastor of Pleasant Green Baptist Church (Nashville). In addition, he is the Director of the Kelly Miller Smith Institute on African American Church Studies and Assistant Dean of African American Church Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School. As Assistant Professor for the Practice of Ministry at Vanderbilt, Dr. Harris teaches courses in the area of Church, Community and the Theology of Ministry in the Black Church tradition.

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A well respected preacher, speaker and scholar, Dr. Harris is frequently called on by churches, colleges and organizations across the country. Currently, through the Institute at Vanderbilt, Dr. Harris is coordinating an ecumenical national dialogue on "What It Means to Be Black and Christian?" Over 12,000 people have been involved in this national discussion thus far.  As pastor of Pleasant Green Baptist Church, Dr. Harris has been instrumental in establishing a progressive social ministry program aimed at the transformation of the community. Dr. Harris has served as President of Nashville, Interdenominational Minister Fellowship for five years. He also is responsible for the establishment of an inter-religious and inter-racial organization of Nashville congregations into Tying Nashville Together. Dr. Harris is on the board of the Nashville Center for Black Family Life, Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC), United Way of Middle Tennessee. He serves on the State of Tennessee Citizen's Commission on TennCare. Recently, Dr. Harris was invited to serve a four year term on the Human Rights Commission of the World Baptist Alliance.

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Dr. Harris holds a B.A. from Knoxville College, a Bachelor of Theology degree from American Baptist College, a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) degrees from Vanderbilt University Divinity School, where he was a Benjamin E. Mays Fellow and recipient of the Florence Conwell prize for preaching.  He has published two books, Ministry for Social Crisis; Theology and Praxis in the Black Church. Mercer University Press; and What Does It Mean to be Black and Christian?  Pulpit, Pew and Academy in Dialogue.  Townsend Press.

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Dr. Harris is married to Jacqueline Borom Harris and they have four children: Kara, Forrest Jr., Morgan and Alexis.

Fraternity

 

1997 - Carolyn Wade Blackett

Judge Carolyn Wade Blackett is the first female Criminal Court judge in the history of Shelby County and the first African-American female Criminal Court judge in the State of Tennessee. She was appointed to the Criminal Court in September 1994, by former Governor Ned McWherter. Judge Blackett has quickly earned a reputation of being "tough but fair" on the bench. Although Judge Blackett graduated from Brown University and St. Louis University Law School, she identified easily with the American work ethic because she has worked at part-time and full-time jobs since the age of sixteen. These jobs have ranged from being a cashier at McDonald's to corporate senior in-house counsel for Federal Express Corporation, where she spent 12 years of her career.

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Judge Blackett is an inspiration to and a motivator of women who aspire to have a full and challenging life. She is one of the youngest Tennessee judges, as well as a single mother of two beautiful children, Philip, age 11, and Aarica, age 9, who are straight-A students and future concert pianists. Judge Blackett believes that God should be the head of every family and under that leadership and guidance you can't lose!

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1996 - Rev. Frederick Yebuah​

An enthusiastic, energetic, intense man of God, husband and father, all words which give us some insight to this speaker. Dr. Yebuah is a native of Ghana, West Africa, who is well recognized for his powerful and eloquent ministry.  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from American Baptist College in 1976.  In 1978, the degree of Master of Science was conferred by Tennessee State University.  In 1981, Dr. Yebuah received his Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University and from this same university, he received his Doctorate degree in 1985.

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This community was blessed to have him serve as pastor to Key-Emery United Methodist Church of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  At the present time, he is the pastor of St. John-Wesley Chapel United Churches of Hartville, South Carolina.

As was evident in this community, Dr. Yebuah has remained a social and community advocate since moving to South Carolina.  He has served on the Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels and the Summerville Literary Council.  Additionally, Dr. Yebuah was president of the Summerville Ministerial Association from 1990 to 1991.

1995 - Honorable Lois M. DeBerry

Christian, mother, wife, educator, realtor, and lawmaker are all words that describe the Honorable Lois M. DeBerry, Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Tennessee House of Representatives. An alumnus of Lemoyne-College in 1972. Speaker DeBerry's tenure in office is characterized by her devotion to children and youth, including day care and adolescent development, health care and women's issues, education, criminal justice reform, and economic development. A lifelong public servant, Speaker DeBerry is affiliated with
many organizations nationally and locally, including The Board of Directors of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation, the Executive Commit- tee of the National Conference of State Legislators, President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, Founder and Chairperson of the Annual Legislative Retreat of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators, the State Commission on Aging, Memphis Chapter of Links & Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Speaker DeBerry has received many awards for her leadership, scholarship, and public service. An international traveler, Speaker DeBerry is in constant demand as a public speaker .

1994 -No Biography Available

1993 - Dr. William P. Hytche

President, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Dr. William P. Hytche was born in Porter, Oklahoma, and was educated in the public schools of Fort Gibson and Tullahassee, Oklahoma. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Langston University and his
Masters and Doctorate degrees from Oklahoma State University .He also studied at Oklahoma University, Oberlin College (Ohio), and the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

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He came to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, then known as Maryland State College, in 1960 after having taught in the public schools of Ponca City, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State University. Since coming to UMES, he has served as an instructor in mathematics, Chairman of the Department of Mathematics, Dean of Student Affairs, and Chairman of the Division of Liberal Studies. He was appointed Acting Chancellor of Maryland Eastern Shore in July 1975 and was given a permanent appointment in June 1976.

Dr. Hytche was appointed by President Bush and currently serves on the President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He was also appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture as co-chair of the USDA 1890 Task Force. In addition, he provided leadership for the 1890 Universities when he was Chair of the Council of 1890 Presidents/Chancellors from 1985 to 1990. Dr. Hytche also holds or has held, memberships in numerous organizations, among which are Del-Mar-Va Advisory Council, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (immediate past secretary of the board), Peninsula General Hospital Medical Center Board of Trustees, National Aquarium Advisory Board, Agribusiness Promotion Council, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Phi Sigma Society, and Phi Delta Kappa.

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Additionally, Dr. Hytche is the recipient of numerous honors and awards. These awards include listings in the Personalities of the South (1973), Outstanding Educators of America (1975), Who's Who in America (47th edition), Who's Who in the World (6th edition), Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellow (Oklahoma State University, 1978). He was selected as the recipient of The Thurgood Marshall Educational Achievement Award for 1992, sponsored by Johnson Publishing Company, Inc. He has been selected for induction into the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association Hall of Fame n January 1993.

Dr. Hytche has traveled extensively in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Africa. He is married to the former Deloris Juanita Cole, and they have three children, Pamelia, Jaqueta, and William Jr., and four grandchildren.

1992 - Milton Creagh

Milton L. Creagh is a nationally sought after motivational speaker for meetings, conventions and workshops. He is one of the most powerful motivators in America today. He has conducted seminars and presentations on sales, marketing, communication skills, interpersonal and intercultural relations and team building for several Fortune 500 companies, universities, labor unions, non-profit organizations, govern- mental entities, utilities, sports teams and many more.

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Milton has hosted and produced his own weekly television program, Atlanta Teen Talk, for WPBA -Channel 30, Atlanta. In its first full season, Atlanta Teen Talk (ATT) was nominated for a Georgia Emmy. In its second season, ATT was a finalist in a national judging of locally produced television programs for young people sponsored by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

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Academic Training: B.S. in Business Administration, Bethune- Cookman College; Executive Banking School, First National Bank of Chicago; Bell System Trainer Skills Curriculum, Blessing/White Instructor Certification Program.

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Honors and Acknowledgements: The 1989 ).C. Penny Golden Rule A ward; The Apple Corp's Golden Apple A ward; Key to the City of Memphis, Tennessee; Outstanding Young Men in American; Who's Who in Colleges and Universities; International Young Achiever BellSouth Services Golden Eagle Award; Northwest Business Association Outstanding Achievement Award; National Alliance of Business Outstanding Achievement Award.
 

1991 - Cyrus L. Booker

Cyrus Booker is a native of Franklin, Tennessee. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Harvard University. He received his law degree from Georgetown University , Washington, D.C. in 1981. His honors include Cumulative Dean's List, National Merit Scholarship and Editor, American Criminal Law Review at Harvard and Georgetown. From 1981 to 1983, he has been Assistant Attorney General, Virgin Island's Attorney General's Office, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Assistant Professor, College of the Virgin Islands and Associate
with Freman and Dyess Law Firm in Washington, D.C. Booker's present activities include Vice President, Federal Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, National Bar Association, Napier-Lobby Bar Association and Friends of Black Children State Advisory Committee. He is presently a partner in the firm of Dearborn and Ewing in Nashville.

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1990 - Dr. Vincent Harding

Vincent Harding is a native of New York City and holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Chicago. From 1961 to 1964, he and his wife, Rosemarie Freeney-Harding, worked in various capacities as full-time teachers, activists and negotiators in the Southern freedom movement.
 

In 1968, after several years as chairman of the history and sociology department at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, he became director of the Martin Luther King Memorial Center and chairman of the nationally televised "Black Heritage" series. Harding was one of the organizers and the first Director of the Institute of the Black World, founded in 1969 in Atlanta. After several research positions and visiting professorships, Harding has been Professor of Religion and Social Transformation at The Iliff School of Theology on the University of Denver campus since 1981. He has lectured widely in this country and overseas on history, literature and contemporary issues. With his family, he has been active in various movements for peace and justice. He and Rosemarie conduct workshops and lead retreats on the connections between personal spirituality and social responsibility. Recently they were senior advisors to the PBS television series "Eyes on the Prize." Hardings' essays, articles, and poetry have been published in books, journals, and newspapers. Two of his most recent books are: The Other American Revolution and There Is A River, the first of a three-volume history of the Black struggle for freedom in the United States. The Hardings have two children: Rachel Sojourner and Jonathan DeBois.

1989 - Reverend James Thomas

Reverend James Thomas was born in Orange, Texas on February 26, 1940. He moved to Beaumont, Texas with his parents (Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Thomas) and attended the public schools there, graduating from Charlton Pollard High School in 1959. He was converted at age 10 under the pastorate of the late Dr. U. S. Keeling, Sr. and accepted the call to the ministry under the leadership of Reverend J. H. Wright. Realizing the role of sound preparation for an effective ministry, Reverend Thomas enrolled at the American Baptist Theological Seminary in February, 1964 (presently re-enrolled '88-89). He became an associate minister and teacher under the pastorate of Reverend Felton Price, minister and teacher under the pastorate of Reverend Felton Price, Fourteenth Avenue Baptist Church, while a student at American Baptist College in the 1960's; and was ordained at Fourteenth Avenue in 1970.​

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On the first Sunday in June, 1971, Reverend James Thomas became the eighth pastor of the Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church, where he has diligently served for the past 18 years. During his pastorate of Jefferson Street, he has been active in many religious, civic, and political activities. He is President of the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Tennessee; Vice-Chairman of the National Baptist Foreign Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention, Inc. of America; Co-Chairman of the Jesse Jackson for President Campaign, 1984 and 1988; past Moderator (10 years) of the Nashville District Association; and an innovative leader in various areas of religious and civic work throughout the Black community.

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Reverend Thomas is married to Mrs. Ida Phillips Thomas, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac N. Phillips, Sr., of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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1988 - Judge Luther T. Glanton

Luther T. Glanton is a native of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. His father was a schoolmaster and his mother was a midwife. He was one of eight children, who understood that you must work for what you want. He received his B.S. degree from Tennessee State University. He left Tennessee in 1939 to attend Drake University School of Law in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1942, he earned his L.L.B. degree and continued adding to his list of accomplishments. He was the first black Associate District Judge, District Court Judge,
Senior District Judge and the first black High Ranking Officer in the Iowa National Guard. He is presently Senior Judge in the Fifth Judicial District of Iowa.

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He is greatly concerned about his community and is a proven community leader. These are just a few of his many community involvements: Since 1984, he has been a member of the Board of Trustee at Drake University, past President of the Des Moines chapter of the NAACP , past President of the Iowa State Conference of Branches of the NAACP, past Co-Chairman of the Governor's United Nations Committee, Goodwill Ambassador for the U.S. Dept. of State to Africa, Cypress and Southeast Asia in 1962, present member of the Executive Board of National Goodwill Industries of America, Inc. Des Moines Chapter, present member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Committee for the state of Iowa, and Founder and Chairman of the Board of the United Black Federation.

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