WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE

SATURDAY 4.13.2024

105.3 WDAS is honoring phenomenal women all over the Tri-State area and representing to you the 8th Annual WDAS Women of Excellence Luncheon presented by Xfinity!

RUN OF SHOW

11:00am: Doors open w/ music provided by DJ Doc B

11:45am: Lunch being served w/ Prayer by Minister Nakia Brown

12:37pm: Praise Song by Desi Neal

12:40pm: Welcome from Ebonne Leaphart, VP of Local Media Development @ Comcast/Intro Video/Opening Remarks (conducted by WDAS’ Loraine Ballard Morrill, Patty Jackson, Frankie Darcell, and Mimi Brown)

12:45pm: Introduction & Remarks of Honoree Katherine Gilmore Richardson

12:52pm: Introduction & Remarks of Honoree Paralee Knight

1:01pm: Introduction & Remarks of Sheroe Lurline Jones

1:07pm: Introduction & Remarks of Sheroe Victoria Best

1:14pm: Introduction & Remarks of Honoree Alex Holley

1:21pm: Introduction & Remarks of Sheroe Bonnie Earl

BRIEF INTERMISSION

1:40pm: Introduction & Remarks of Honoree Dyana Williams

1:47pm: Introduction & Remarks of Sheroe Alana Lee

1:53pm: Introduction & Remarks of Kathy Sledge

2:00pm: Introduction & Remarks of the Woman of Excellence Legend Award Honoree Jody Watley

2:10pm: Introduction & Remarks of the Special Honoree / *Proclamation Presentation*

BRIEF INTERMISSION

2:40pm: Kenya Vaun Performance

3:10pm: Jon B Performance

3:40pm: October London Performance

4:00pm: Closing Remarks – CONCLUSION OF EVENT

LEGEND AWARD JODY WATLEY

Jody Watley, a Grammy award-winning multi-platinum singer, songwriter, producer, and radio host, stands as a true icon and an influential force in 21st-century Pop/R&B/Dance music.

Born in Chicago, this trendsetting pioneer has left an indelible mark on the music industry and pop culture throughout her illustrious career spanning several decades.

Billboard, a definitive authority in music, consistently acknowledges Jody Watley's impact, cementing her legacy among the Top 60 Female Artists of All Time, Top 25 Dance Artists of All Time, and Top 100 Black Solo Artists Of All Time. Her substantial contributions to contemporary music have garnered prestigious awards, including the Crossover Music Icon honor from the Black Music Honors in 2017 and induction into the Women’s Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Watley's influence extends beyond music into the realms of fashion and style. Her signature jumbo hoop earrings have become a global style staple, setting trends in the fashion world and leaving an indelible mark not only in the entertainment industry but also in film and television. She even coined the iconic phrase "Hasta La Vista, Ba-by," later popularized by none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Terminator: Judgment Day."

Venturing into the world of acting, Watley made history as the first black actress to portray the iconic character Rizzo in the Broadway musical "GREASE." Her unique beauty and timeless style caught the attention of People Magazine, earning her a feature in their esteemed 50 Most Beautiful People Issue.

As a solo artist, Jody Watley boasts an impressive track record that speaks volumes about her musical prowess. With 6 Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten Singles, 7 Number 1 Dance Singles, 2 R&B Number 1’s, and 15 Top 40 Singles, she has solidified her status as a chart-topping sensation. The music video for "Real Love," directed by the acclaimed David Fincher, remains one of the most nominated in the history of the MTV Music Awards.

Her mantle of accolades includes the Black Music Honors' 'Crossover Music Icon' Award, the Billboard Dance Lifetime Achievement Award, and recognition in Billboard Magazine's Top 60 Hot 100 Female Artists Of All Time and Top 25 Female Dance Artists Of All Time, she was also featured in VOGUE Italia's historic The Black Issue noting her influence on pop culture and notable black women in music and fashion.

Beyond her musical accomplishments, Jody Watley is a true trailblazer and entrepreneur.

In a testament to her commitment to artistic independence, she founded the independent music label Avitone Recordings. Additionally, her online boutique JodyWatleyShop.com and signature line of luxury soy candles reflect her entrepreneurial spirit, promoting self-care and wellness.

In 2021, Jody Watley was honored as the First Ambassador to the National Museum Of African American Music In Nashville, a testament to her impact on African American culture and music.

Furthering her academic achievements, in 2022, she received her first Honorary Doctorate in Business, solidifying her status as a multifaceted and accomplished individual.

Continuously expanding her brand and contributing to the cultural landscape, Watley serves as an inspiration in the entertainment industry.

Her foray into radio with "The Jody Watley Show" on SiriusXM The Groove has been met with acclaim.

Following a successful debut season in 2023, the show returns on January 14, 2024, promising a curated blend of classic R&B tunes from the 70s and 80s, coupled with insightful conversations featuring special guests.

Watley’s activism has seen her involved in various causes over the decades promoting empowerment for women, LGBTQ rights and organizations focused on promoting HIV-AIDS Awareness and Prevention.

She has served as Governor of the Los Angeles Chapter of The Recording Academy on various advocacy groups impacting change in the legislative realm as well as working with the Grammy U Program.

Recipient of a proclamation from the City of Los Angeles, presented by Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Jody Watley was acknowledged for her significant contributions to African American culture and heritage in music and beyond.

Watley's ability to reinvent herself and stay at the forefront of cultural conversations is evident in this captivating radio show, showcasing her enduring impact and unwavering commitment to positivity and inspiration in the ever-evolving world of entertainment.

In a statement, Jody Watley expressed, "I am truly honored and humbled to receive the 2024 Women Of Excellence Legend Award from WDAS-FM Radio. This recognition is not just a celebration of my personal journey but a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and the unwavering support of fans and the industry. Being acknowledged as a legend is a profound acknowledgment, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue inspiring others on this incredible musical and artistic journey.'"

You can follow the iconic singer and songwriter @jodywatley

HONOREES

Alex Holley became the energetic co-host of ‘Good Day Philadelphia’ at FOX 29 News station in the summer of 2014. Since moving to Philadelphia, she has mesmerized their television viewership with her vivacious personality and endearing sense of humor. Philly Magazine labels her as ‘Your Best Friend on TV’ and considers her as one of the ’76 Most Influential’ persons in Philly.
Since residing in Philly, she has rocketed her social media presence to more than half a million followers. Her on-air moments and celebrity impersonations often go viral, with millions of views all over the world.
Her work has garnered a variety of accolades, in addition to receiving Emmy nominations. Philadelphia Magazine’s "Best of Philly" issue described her as ‘smart, funny and sassy’ in naming her "Best TV Personality”, an honor also bestowed on her by the nation’s oldest society of professional journalists, The Philadelphia Pen & Pencil Club. She was identified by ‘New Vision in Business’ (NV) magazine as one of its noteworthy ‘Movers & Shakers’.

Before moving to Philly Alex worked in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as a fill-in anchor and morning reporter for WMBF-TV’s news programs. Prior to that, she worked as an anchor, reporter, and producer at KOMU-TV in Columbia, Missouri. Alex anchored the innovative multi-source news website, Newsy.com, and was featured in the digital journalism display in the Newseum in Washington, D.C before its closing.
Alex believes in community service. She has served as a panelist, key-note speaker and MC for several community initiatives. She is also a board member of National Association of Black Journalists Broadcast Task Force. A third-generation member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, being involved with Philadelphia’s Omega Omega Chapter is close to heart.

Alex has explored more than fourteen different countries while pursuing her favorite pasttime…travel. She is proficient in Spanish, having studied at the Universidad de Salamanca at age 13. She utilizes knowledge of different cultures to enhance the perspectives of her stories and believes this global exposure helps add a versatile dimension to her work.
You can follow Alex’s adventures through her social handle @alexholleytv on IG, FB, TikTok and @AlexHolleyFOX29 on X.

Paralee Knight is the Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Impact Group at the Wells Fargo for New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. In this role she manages functions related to Philanthropy Operations that are responsible for resource coordination of complex regional programs. She also works on initiatives and processes for Wells Fargo’s reputation management in the communities it serves, manages stakeholder relationships and facilitates programs to drive team member engagement.

Paralee is also involved in the music industry where the scope of her work has included song writing, artist management, artist development, consultation, music production, event planning/management, creative direction, and video production assistance. She is a BMI affiliated songwriter/publisher and an active member of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Management.

Paralee’s notable achievements include receiving the NJ Governor’s Award In Arts Education as a Corporate Philanthropy Leader, the YWCA Harlem New York BAI Achiever in Industry Award, The Made Man Foundation’s Women of Influence Recognition, The Women We Admire Publication’s Top 50 Women leaders in Pennsylvania Recognition, and recognition from the Philadelphia City Council as a leader making a positive difference in the community. Her songwriting/licensing placements – include MTV, Milan Italy TV, and WHYY.

Paralee’s community involvement includes serving on the Board of Directors for the Ronald McDonald House of Southern NJ, a non-profit dedicated to providing hope, help and home for families of seriously ill children. She is also Chair of the Board of Directors for World Café Live, a legendary venue and nonprofit organization in Philadelphia, PA that creates innovative, boundary-crossing music programming and arts education.

You can follow Paralee Knight through Instagram at @pknight1.

Katherine Gilmore Richardson serves the City of Philadelphia as a Councilmember At-Large. In 2024, she made history becoming the youngest person ever and the first At-Large member of Philadelphia City Council to become majority leader. In 2019, Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson shattered glass ceilings following her historic election when she became the youngest woman in Philadelphia to be elected citywide and the youngest Black woman ever elected to Philadelphia City Council.

She is focused on addressing Philadelphia’s most pressing issues: advancing workforce development opportunities; keeping young people and communities safe; uplifting working parents; supporting local, small, and diverse-owned businesses; bolstering the city’s fiscal stability; and advancing environmental justice and climate resilience for all communities.

Majority Leader Gilmore Richardson previously served as a staff member for Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown for 11 years in roles ranging from constituent services representative to chief of staff. A lifelong Philadelphian, Gilmore Richardson is a graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Girls and West Chester University. She is a member of Ridge Avenue Church of God of Prophecy and a proud life member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Gilmore Richardson resides in Wynnefield with her husband and three children.
You can follow Katherine Gilmore Richardson @councilmemberkgr on Instagram and @CouncilwomanKGR on X.

Kathy Sledge is a Renaissance woman — a singer, songwriter, author, producer, manager, and Grammy-nominated music icon whose boundless creativity and passion has garnered praise from critics and a legion of fans from all over the world. Her artistic triumphs encompass chart-topping hits, platinum albums, and successful forays into several genres of popular music. Through her multi-faceted music career and her legacy as the signature voice in Sister Sledge who originated worldwide anthems like "We Are Family," which was added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry in 2017, and "He's the Greatest Dancer," Kathy's inspired millions of listeners across every generation.

Iconic producer Nile Rodgers says it best: "Kathy has one of the most original and unique voices in pop music. Always has and always will!” While Kathy Sledge has tapped into the power of her voice, she consistently sets new standards of excellence. As a dynamic live performer, she's also developing her passion for producing shows for the stage and screen. Presently, she’s producing several live concerts and headlining festivals worldwide. She conceived both The Brighter Side of Day- A Billie Holiday Tribute and "Kathy Sledge presents: My Sisters & Me," a Classic Concert series that features "Sisters In Song”,
Deniece Williams, Karyn White, and CeCe Peniston. With an impressive stylistic versatility, Kathy remains a vibrant presence in nearly every genre of popular music.

As one of the most sought-after voices in dance and pop music Kathy collaborated with renowned London-based production team Horse Meat Disco on recent chart-topping club hits "Jump Into the Light" (2020) and "Falling Deep in Love" (2019). Kathy received the "Outstanding Contribution Award" at the highly acclaimed Ibiza DJ Awards. "Music is my passion," she declares. "It's what I love to do, throughout my music career, and now more than ever.”

Branching into film production, Kathy, with her daughter Kristen Gabrielle, launched "Family Room," an interactive series developed as a mother-daughter talk show, designed for network television. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they launched the series on IG live, directly from Kathy’s home, where D-Nice, Questlove, Sinbad, Donnie Wahlberg, Sheila E., Macy Gray, and many more surprise celebrity guests are among the thousands of viewers who tune in twice a week from across the globe. Also in development, Kathy is Executive Producing a film project based on her personal memoirs and the heart-felt story behind the iconic “We Are Family”.

O Magazine spotlighted Kathy's remarkable evolution in the feature article "Better Than Ever" (2012). Out of 50 women worldwide, Kathy was among the four that O Magazine selected as getting better with time. They were especially impressed with her production, The Brighter Side of Day: A Tribute to Billie Holiday, an intimate concert that celebrates the music of the 1940s and honors the legacy of Lady Day. Hailed as "a spine-tingling musical] journey of an American icon" (NBC 10), the show manifests a lifelong passion of Kathy's where she explores what it would be like for audiences to attend a Billie Holiday concert. Stanley Clarke, who calls Kathy's voice "one of the greatest jazz voices I've ever heard," is among the legendary jazz greats who is currently collaborating with Kathy on a jazz project with some of his esteemed peers.

Early in her career, Kathy was often called the female counterpart to Michael Jackson since both came of age on stage as the youngest siblings and lead vocalists in a family group. Fueled by a prodigious musical talent, Kathy's journey began in Philadelphia, the youngest of five daughters born to Edwin and Florez Sledge. Her grandmother was an opera singer who taught her harmonies while her father was one-half of Fred & Sledge, the tapping duo who broke racial barriers on Broadway. "I learned the appreciation and the art of music through my mother, father, and my grandmother," she says. Kathy and her sisters honed their act around Philadelphia and signed a contract with Atco Records. At the tender age of 13, Kathy's lead vocals on "Mama Never Told Me" (1973) furnished the group's first international hit record in the U.K. Their follow-up "Love Don't You Go Through No Changes On Me" scored them major hits everywhere from the U.K. to Japan, plus the Silver Award at the Tokyo Music Festival. At 14 years-old, Kathy and her sisters were invited to perform at Zaire 74, a three-day music festival that promoted the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. "To this day, that was one of the most powerful and impactful experiences I've had," she says.

However, groundbreaking producers Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards (the CHIC Organization) completely changed their lives. The #1 We Are Family (1979) album went platinum and earned plaudits from the rock press. "'We Are Family,' beautifully sung by] Kathy Sledge, is a near perfect fusion of] gospel fire and disco cool," wrote Stephen Holden in Rolling Stone. The song's sentiment also stuck a personal chord with Kathy, who recorded her vocals in one take. Successful collaborations with musical geniuses like George Duke, Elton John, and Narada Michael Walden duly followed. "Take Me Back to Love Again," the #1 Billboard club hit from Kathy's debut solo project Heart on Epic Records, a chart-topping cover of Stevie Wonder's "Another Star," and several other singles have since powered Kathy's solo career, which continues to flourish through her recent studio work with acclaimed R&B producers Carvin Haggins and Ivan Barias (Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott).

Parallel to her studio work, Kathy has established an active philanthropic platform through the timeless musical statement of "We Are Family." After sitting on the Board of Directors for several years, she is an Honorary Trustee and esteemed Emeritus Board Member with Nile. Rodgers and the We Are Family Foundation. She is also a Goodwill Ambassador for Antigua and Barbuda, as well as the Halo Foundation. "'We Are Family' is a mountainmover," says Kathy, who proudly performed it for former First Lady Michelle Obama at BET’s Black Girls Rock! and UNESCO's first Nelson Mandela International Day. As the defining voice of an anthem, Kathy's regularly invited by royal families and cultural tastemakers around the globe to bring the universal language of "We Are Family" to exclusive events and engagements. And with that passion, Kathy Sledge is forever standing strong in the spotlight, shining brighter than ever!
Kathy is Producer alongside of her daughter, Kristen Gabrielle with their new Mother - Daughter Variety Talk Show, FamilyRoom- We Are Family Stay tuned.
She is currently in collaboration with Producer songwriters Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam Harris with new upcoming music.
Kathy is in coproduction with Kronicle Media ( formerly of Will Packer’s team) for a new Docu-series slated for Fall 2025.
You can follow Kathy Sledge on Instagram and X at @kathysledge.

Dyana Williams has distinguished herself as the primary authority on the prominence and value of African American music in global culture. Williams has built a respected niche as a noted air personality and programmer who celebrated 50 years in radio in 2022, and has become one of the foremost women entrepreneurs in contemporary entertainment and media.

Williams’ prodigious achievements have earned her numerous awards and honors that are almost too numerous to name. Among other distinctions, Williams was listed as #7 on the "Top 20 Black Radio Jockeys of All Time" by News One, and RadioFacts.com recognized her as #8 on the "Top 30 Black Women in Media." In 2014, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter presented a proclamation to Williams for her dedication and effort to augment the Philadelphia slogan “The City of Brotherly Love And Sisterly Affection,” acknowledging the inclusion of women. Williams has been nominated twice for induction in the Radio Hall of Fame. In 2023, Williams, Kenny Gamble and Ed Wright were recognized by the Philadelphia City Council and Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson for their work as co-founders of June as Black Music Month in the city of Philadelphia.

Williams is an integral part of the broadcast identities of New York, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia – three of the largest radio markets in the country – for more than five decades. Her instantly recognizable vocal style and extensive historical and technical knowledge have made her an indelible presence in broadcasting. Thanks to radio syndication, as well as frequent appearances on broadcast television as a reporter, commentator, and media expert, Williams is a go-to subject expert on music and media.

A native of Harlem, New York, Williams began her radio career as a DJ at the City College of New York’s WCCR. Inspired by pioneering NYC radio host Vy Higginsen, Williams moved on to WHUR-FM in Washington, D.C., in 1973, honing her on-air style as “Ebony Moonbeams,” earning countless devotees to her sensuous vocal delivery and musical choices. In 1975, she was gratified when legendary New York programmer/DJ Frankie Crocker brought Williams to the top-rated WBLS-FM, the same station where she had first heard Higginsen. The following year, Williams again broke barriers as the first Afro-Latina woman to host a shift on an all-rock station, WMAL-FM Washington D.C., which later became WRQX-FM. She also served as program director for D.C. music outlet WMMJ-FM while also serving as an on-camera entertainment contributor for TV’s P.M. Magazine. After moving to Philadelphia in 1980, Williams joined powerhouse heritage station 105.3 WDAS-FM in Philadelphia, where she launched the show “Love’s on the Menu” and became a fixture on the station for nearly a decade.

Williams also reported for Black Entertainment Television (BET) and worked as music consultant for The Soul of VH1, where she conducted artist interviews. Since 2008, she has served as an expert commentator on TV One’s award-winning music documentary series Unsung, including episodes on the Supremes, Minnie Riperton, Jean Carne, Will Downing, and many others. Closely associated with The Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP) and such Philadelphia artists as Patti LaBelle, Billy Paul, Jean Carne, and Teddy Pendergrass, Williams produced the PBS special The Philadelphia Music Makers in 1990.
Williams’ innate love of Black music and Black culture has motivated her to become an advocate of America’s indigenous musical forms, including R&B, blues, hip-hop, soul, and jazz. In the 1990s, Williams founded the International Association of African American Music (IAAAM) to help educate, promote, celebrate, and preserve black music forms through discussion, performance, and other events. Williams was integral to establishing June as Black Music Month in the United States, having co-written House Concurrent Bill 509, which recognized African American music as an American cultural institution, thus earning the title “The Mother of Black Music Month.”
As CEO of Influence Entertainment, one of the leading media and entertainment consulting companies in the U.S., Williams provides essential media education and coaching to top-charting recording artists, actors, performers, business executives, athletes, and celebrities from a variety of industries. Her extensive client roster has included Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Fantasia, ASAP Rocky, Spotify, Tidal, Motown, UNCF, The City of Philadelphia and more.

As a live event producer, Williams has produced the last three WaWa Welcome America Festival’s Avenue of the Arts Stage in Philadelphia, where she curates some of the finest talents in the region from Lady Alma to Edgardo Cintron’s Inca Latin Band. Additionally, Dyana has served as the producer/curator of the Camden Jam Festival in Riggins Park, Camden, New Jersey. She has also been the co-producer of the star-studded annual Marian Anderson Awards and proudly orchestrated live-event tributes to Berry Gordy, Jon Bon Jovi, Wynton Marsalis, Patti LaBelle, Gamble & Huff, and Kool & the Gang.
Williams is a founding board member of the dynamic new National Museum of African-American Music in Nashville, where she co-chairs the museum’s Music Industry Relations Collective. A past president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy (the GRAMMYs), she is also a proud member of SAG-AFTRA. She currently sits on the board of her alma mater, Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication, where she graduated cum laude.

From producing live cultural events to serving as an on-camera commentator for various media, from promoting African-American music as an advocate via board service to appearing nationwide as a popular public speaker, Williams is committed to promoting the culture of American indigenous music at all levels of society. Thanks to her engaging personality, personal integrity, and devotion to African American culture,
Williams continues to add immediacy and dynamism to the culture at large, and specifically to the craft of American broadcasting
You can follow Dyana Williams on Instagram & X at @dyanawilliams

sheroes

Victoria Best currently holds the title of Executive Director at Victoria’s Urban Outreach Tutoring Service, and the Project Manager of the Data CoLab for the District Attorney’s office. As a young women Victoria was raised in the foster care system. Which lead to her being a victim of rap, abuse, and economic disparity. Victoria continuously works hard to change the stigma placed on individuals who are born directly into broken systems. In her mission to change the narrative Victoria’s Urban Outreach Tutoring Service was born. Victoria created VUOTS in 2016 and established VUOTS as a nonprofit organization in 2018 to provide individuals in the Philadelphia PA area with free educational services. VUOTS mission is to change the minds of the impoverished masses in a positive way through education in combination with love.

Victoria’s work around community originated when she decided to become an educator. Her compassion, humility and understanding came from being a product of her environment. She brings extensive knowledge of quality educational practices and procedures, performance-based contracting, and understanding of organizational and strategic planning, policy development, implementation of internal and external systems. Best received a double master’s degree in, Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education, from Lincoln University and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Temple University. Not to mention, the many courses she has completed on the master’s level in Educational Leadership and Literacy. With over 15 years of experience working with children, adolescents and adults providing educational support and behavioral health services, Victoria Best is committed to improving services in Philadelphia PA.

You can follow Victoria Best on Instagram at @ms_v_best

Lavanda Earl: A Compassionate Force for Change

Lavanda Earl, affectionately known as Bonnie, has dedicated her life to making a positive impact on her community. Born in Philadelphia, Lavanda’s journey has been marked by compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment.

Early Career and Education
Lavanda’s career began at the Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital, where she served as a Respiratory Therapist. Her passion for healthcare and advocacy led her to Mercy Health in 1995, where she continued to make a difference in the lives of her clients, often going far beyond the requirements of the job to ensure the patients received the support and help required. While continuing her work at Mercy Health, she at the young age of 63 enrolled in Gwynedd Mercy College of Business, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration and organization. Not content with stopping there, she pursued and obtained a master’s degree in social work and human services from Widener University at the age of 66.

Advocacy and Community Service
Lavanda’s heart beats for those in need. While working at America Health Caritas Medicaid Insurance, she advocated tirelessly for patients, earning the prestigious Mercy Courage Award. But her impact extended beyond the workplace. During her search for a new place of worship, Lavanda found and fell in love with The Church of Christian Compassion under the leadership of Senior Pastor W. Lonnie Herndon. While under his guidance and support, the vision emerged to expand a pre-existing program of the church, known as The Great Family Gathering. Once charged with the responsibility of leading this community initiative of the church, Lavanda began to amass a group of volunteers and over time, this small community outreach project (under her leadership) began to expand and is now an annual event that feeds over 5000 individuals—men, women, and children who are homeless or are residing in shelters throughout the greater Philadelphia region annually during the Thanksgiving season. Lavanda has spearheaded this initiative for the past 20 years, mobilizing hundreds of volunteers and securing donations from a host of community partners. The event not only provides nourishing meals but also supplies essentials like hats, gloves, and toiletries to those in need.
Lavanda’s unwavering faith and the support of her sister Sabrina Adams and her extended church family has allowed her to continue doing what she loves even during a personal health crisis. Her legacy is one of compassion, resilience, and a deep-rooted commitment to uplifting those in need, a trait she received from her late mother, Thelma Blanchard. Lavanda is honored to have been nominated for this prestigious award and will forever remain grateful for the opportunity to give service to others. She say’s “To God Be The Glory!”

Lurline Jones is a legendary coach and local civil rights trailblazer in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. She has been a basketball coach and mentor within the School District of Philadelphia for 52 years with more than 300 of her students going to college on full or partial athletic scholarships and three in the WNBA. Now retired but most recently, she served as the girls basketball coach at Martin Luther King High School. In September of 2019, Jones was featured in People Magazine's Heroes Among Us. Jones, who cofounded the nonprofit program, Developmental Basketball League, has helped boys and girls improve their playing skills for the past 48 years. Jones says, "these kids are also my kids.”

They know I'm teaching them more than how to play basketball." Her motto is teaching basketball skills that will train you for life. Jones just turned 80 years old and has no plans on slowing down.
As an activist, Jones inherited her activist spirit from her mother, Mary Nixon, a domestic worker who grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Mrs. Nixon‘s mother was very passionate about education. Her mother reared her in the Brewerytown section of North Philadelphia where she learned to give back.

Jones left for Baltimore's Morgan State College {now Morgan State University) where her basketball career continued. She also came face-to-face with legal segregation for the first time and was swept up in the civil rights movement. In 1963, she and hundreds of other Morgan State College students spent nearly a week in jail after protesting the segregation policy at a nearby movie theater which was across the street from the college. Her civil rights activities continued, as she was a part of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), CORE pioneered the use of nonviolent direct action in America's civil rights struggle on college campuses. She participated in sit-ins and marches in Philadelphia and Maryland, some of which included demonstrations to integrate Girard College, which at the time was a school for boys only.

As a teacher and coach, Jones continues to fight to end gender disparities. During her early coaching years, she was committed to ending athletic gender disparities. ln 1980 she sued the Philadelphia School District and the Catholic School System under Title XL. It took 39 years to resolve this disparity and now female athletes are able to play for a city title. Even now, in her retirement, she continues to remind those in charge not to shortchange the girls. She feels extremely blessed to still have to opportunity to make an impact and pay it forward.

Ms. Alana D. Lee is the Co-Founder and President of the Live and Love Life Cancer Community LLC Group for 15yrs. Each year, Ms. Lee, along with her sister, host their Annual Live and Love Life Gala honoring over 150 people, in which they partner with Susan G. Komen, American Cancer Society and other local institutions to bring awareness, resources of Breast Cancer and the need to get detected early to minority women and men. Mss. Lee's highlight at the Gala is when she honors and celebrates the honoree's (women and men) who currently have or have had cancer and their caregivers.

Ms. Lee donates food baskets, gift cards, and women's products to those who were ill and battling this deadly disease.
Also, Ms. Lee takes pride in being the Co-Principal at the Gesu Independent Catholic School,serving 400 students in PreK through 8th grade. She has implemented and led the school for 9 yrs. in city and state-wide services, recycling and "No Place for Hate" (Anti-Defamation League) bullying prevention initiatives, as well as many other programs.She has implemented self-esteem and empowerment programs for girls and each year she leads over 200 volunteers in the Annual MLK One Day of Service Project at her school.

She is one of the founding members of Archbishop Perez’s Commission on Racial Healing for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and speaks at other Catholic Schools about Social Justice and Cultural Bias Issues.
In 2020, she was presented with the Bakari Trailblazer Award presented by Saint Joseph’s Preparatory High School, becoming the first woman to be presented with this award.
And just last month (March 12, 2024), she received The Spirit of Francis and Clare Award from her Alma Mater Neumann University for her commitment to the Catholic Franciscan tradition & values and for her initiatives that make a significant impact in the following areas: support of persons who are poor or “underserved,” advancement of understanding and support for the environment, promotion of peacemaking and development of intercultural understanding. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership at Immaculata University.
Ms. Lee serves as a Committeewoman, Judge of Election for the 26th Ward-31st Division in her community. She is a lector and eucharistic minister at her church. And most PROUDLY a mother of a 10yr old boy.

You can follow Alana Lee on Instagram at @liveandlovelifellc.