AKA Sorority’s Annual Founders’ Day Celebration

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter honored six community-minded citizens.

AKA members at the Founders Day event. Front row (L-R): Vernell Woldu, Sophie Dixon, Terry Bellamy, Sheron Craig, Phala Franks. 2nd row: Marion Thompson, Brenda Wilkerson, Willie Vincent, Barbara James, Raynetta Waters. 3rd row: Berta McCallum, Verita Woods, Alberta Drane, Courtney Jones, Pamela Jones, Cora Harper. 4th row: Sarah Williams, ZaKiya Bell-Rogers.

The Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter met on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018 at St. James AME Church to celebrate the sorority’s 110th Founders’ Day and recognize six members of the community for service to citizens of Buncombe County.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) was founded in 1908 as the first Greek-letter sorority for women of color. Its mission is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, promote unity and friendship among college women, study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, maintain a progressive interest in college life, and be of “Service to All Mankind.”

Asheville’s Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter was chartered on March 31, 1940, and provides educational and enrichment services to students through the ASCEND program, a national program developed by AKA. Additionally, chapter members volunteer and/or donate funds to other organizations, including the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), Alzheimer’s Association, Asheville Buncombe Institute for Parity Achievement (ABIPA), Housing Authority of the City of Asheville’s Residents’ Council, Manna Food Bank, St. James AME Church, City of Asheville’s Parks and Recreation Department, and Hill Street Baptist Church. The chapter has also awarded over $25,000 in scholarships to students who have graduated from local high schools.

At the luncheon, chapter members honored Dr. Larry McCallum, Dr. Raymond Thertulien, Aisha Shepherd, Tameka Hill-Crudup, and Dr. Charles and Dr. Deborah “Dee” James.

The honorees (L-R): Dr. Larry McCallum; Drs. Charles & Deborah “Dee” James; Terry Bellamy, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter; Dr. Raymond Thertulien; Aisha Shepherd; and Dr. Denise Patterson.

McCallum, who retired as Assistant Superintendent of the Buncombe County School system, was recognized for his 42 years in education. Known for training students to become model citizens, he is known throughout North Carolina for his teaching ability. In retirement, he continues to mentor African American boys in six Buncombe County schools.

Dr. Raymond Thertulien, board-certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology, has led local delegations of medical providers to Haiti to provide medical services to the residents of the poverty-stricken Caribbean nation. He is a member of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), and the Western Carolina Medical Society (WCMS). He has published extensively in leading scientific journals, and is currently doing research in developmental therapeutics.

Asheville native Aisha Shepherd, a professional social worker, serves as a Liaison and Trainer of a Buncombe County Community Engagement Team. In her role, Shepherd provides support to families by linking them to critical resources such as food, clothing, healthcare, housing, education, and other vital community resources.

Tameka Hill-Crudup is a Facility Manager with Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, overseeing all Parks and Rec Centers to ensure that programs are run smoothly and that children and staff have what they need to operate. She is also responsible for compliance with all Buncombe County and State regulations.

Professors Charles James and Deborah “Dee” James have both taught at their alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Asheville (UNCA), for over thirty years, where they were among the founders of the university’s African American Student Affairs program. Dee James helped develop the African American Colloquium, a program designed to create community and support for first-year African American students on campus. The Colloquium includes tutoring, mentoring, and advising, along with annual trips to such places as Washington, DC, and New Orleans.

“The honorees are providing transformative leadership that is changing the lives of a vast array of citizens throughout Buncombe County. As we recognize the honorees’ work, we salute their commitment to providing service above self,” said Terry Bellamy, President of Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter.

The guest speaker for the event was Dr. Denise Patterson, Superintendent of Asheville City Schools. An educator for the past 23 years, she has a variety of leadership experiences at the school and district levels. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Patterson came to Asheville City Schools in 2017. She had served as an adjunct professor at Gardner-Webb University, facilitating instruction for master level students, and most recently at Wingate University in the educational program for doctoral level students.

Previously, Dr. Patterson was a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in Lincoln County Schools, where she was awarded several honors including Lincoln County Principal of the Year. After more than 13 years in Lincoln County, she was named Associate Superintendent for Auxiliary Services in Union County Public Schools, and later served as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in Hickory Public Schools.

Dr. Patterson earned her B.S. from UNC Greensboro in 1994. She was awarded a Masters of Elementary Education from UNC Charlotte (2000) and an MA in administration from Gardner-Webb University (2002). She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the UNC Charlotte.

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