I greet you as the 26th International Grand President and CEO of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Congratulations and welcome to the 2025 Finer Womanhood Celebration with the Ladies of Gamma Alpha Omega Zeta chapter. It is my pleasure to share with you during this very special time of year and during the month where women everywhere are honored for their cherished accomplishments and extraordinary gifts to history. Our Five Pearls Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, and Fannie Pettie Watts envisioned a legacy that encompassed these; and for the past 102 years, our homage to Finer Womanhood has showcased all. Their commitment of excellence to Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood, is how we today, 105 years after our founding, continue to achieve and be successful in impacting and transforming our communities. Thus, in your attendance to this afternoon's event, know that you are in the presence of a legacy of greatness and empowerment. As you recognize and honor those who continue to support and collaborate with you in furthering and emblazoned path of extraordinary brilliance, may you continue to do the great work you are doing. In service and sisterhood, Dr. Stacie N.C. Grant 26th International President & CEO A Royal Noir Affair 2: The Sneaker Edition
celebrants, fellow members of the other Black Greek Lettered Organizations, family and friends. I am LaTanya M. Logan, West Texas State Director, where our theme of excellence is Intentional Sisterhood. It is my distinct pleasure to greet you as we celebrate our cherished principle, Finer Womanhood. Thank you, President Griffin and the entire planning committee for including me in your festivities. As shared by our International President, Finer Womanhood has been ZETA’s passion for 102 years of her 105year existence. We don’t just stand on business, but Finer Womanhood, as the way we do such, that is what changes the game. Last year during the first edition of A Royal Noir Affair, I highlighted the great work Gamma Alpha Omega Zeta had rendered in Norther Collin County. I spoke to the build-up of your name locally, with you having your own day of recognition in the City, the financial impact you had made in and beyond your service area, and your consistent resolve of our service mantra Z-HOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel). This year you have changed the game again--expanding the footprint of Zeta through the addition of your new partnerships, your cutting-edge thought in becoming the first and only Greek organization to have its own 501c3 youth group, in that of MANRRS, and your most recent approval to charter the Zeta Amicae of McKinney! What great reasons to be ever so proud, that you are not only intentional in your sisterhood but also in your service. That is MIGHTY EXTRAORDINARY! As the chapter continues to forge its path of extraordinary commitment to Scholarship, Service, and Sisterhood, I cannot think of a better way to amplify Finer Womanhood than with the recognition of your community collaborations, and for the first time, presentation of your Scholarship Awards. We thank you for your trust and support and what we hope is the start of something BIGGER. To the Woman of the Year, the title bestowed upon non-Zeta women who epitomize our beloved Zeta tenets, we salute you. Finally, to my Sorors of Gamma Alpha Omega Zeta chapter thank you for your on-going service to your communities and the great work of our trailblazing Founders, being a blessing to all present as you continue to embrace the extraordinary. LaTanya Logan 10th West Texas State Director A Royal Noir Affair 2: The Sneaker Edition
approach the more than 75 years of the sorority’s institution of Finer Womanhood Month, we the Glamorous Ladies of Gamma Alpha Omega Zeta chapter would have been remiss not to join in with Sorors around the world for the annual celebration of absolute womanhood, known to us as FINER WOMANHOOD. I am Collette N. Griffin President of Gamma Alpha Omega Zeta Chapter, and it is my distinct honor to greet you all. To our International President & CEO, Dr. Stacie NG Grant, Southern Regional Director, Rhetta Washington McCoy, Madam West Texas State Director LaTanya Logan, my beloved Sister Presidents of the Electrifying 8 Zeta chapters in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, Sorors, our honorees, Past GAOZ Woman of the Year Honorees, Fellow Divine Nine Organizational Members, families, and friends, I thank you for sharing your Sunday with us to celebrate Zeta’s timeless tradition of Finer Womanhood. It is the vision and zeal of our Founders, that allow the Sorority and this chapter the opportunity to soar in our efforts of impacting the communities we serve. Along with our initial principles of Scholarship, Service, and Sisterhood, Finer Womanhood is our ultimate pillar of sustainability. It is the principle that sets us apart from the rest; the epitome of all things strong yet delicate, all things elegant and proper, all things confident and graceful, it is the very meaning of being fearfully and wonderfully made. Simply put, its FINER. This after, amidst the extraordinary greatness of Women’s History Month, we cannot wait to pay homage to this principle. From the recognition of our community partners, to the inaugural awarding of our scholarships; and of course, the presentation of our 2025 Woman of the Year. We are excited and we are ready! We hope that you too, have settled into the “noir” and your flyest sneakers to be wowed by the excellence, as you enjoy of our 5th Annual Celebration of Finer Womanhood: A Royal Noir Affair 2: The Sneaker Edition. In service, Collette N. Griffin President, Gamma Alpha Omega Zeta Chapter Anna ~ Celina ~ Farmersville ~ Lavon ~ Melissa ~ MCKINNEY ~ Murphy ~ Princeton ~ Sachse ~ Weston ~ Wylie A Royal Noir Affair 2: The Sneaker Edition
Jazz Prelude Welcome & Occasion Greetings West Texas State Director – LaTanya Logan Chapter President – Collette N. Griffin Prayer The Fontina Fine Dining Experience Revealed Awarding of Scholarships Eleasha Counts – 2nd Vice President Alesha Kadiri Caleb Johnson Recognition of Community Partners Dr. Anna Lamikanra & Cynthia Hancock Committee Co-Chairs Embrace Texas ~ Collin County NAACP ~ MFS Ventures Presentation of the 2025 Woman of the Year Encouraging Words From the Past – Dr. Inger Kent, GAOZ 2024 Woman of the Year A Full Circle Moment - Angela Richardson Wood, Dear Friend and GAOZ Inaugural Woman of the Year Reading of the Resolution - Dr. Anna Lamikanra Presentation Acceptance Closing Remarks Collette N. Griffin Singing of Hymn All Zetas
I am a high school senior with aspirations of becoming a Doctor. My loved ones' experiences in healthcare have made me very passionate about helping others and believe a career in the healthcare field is my true calling. I have served over 400+ hours for my community since 9th grade. I have also won two Presidential Service Awards. My current philanthropic experience primarily targets senior citizens, individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurities through programs that provide meals and household goods, feminine, baby products and clothing. I am currently in the early stages of a project to assist individuals who are amputees. It is my hope that I will be able to continue to give back in ways that impact individuals in need." A Royal Noir Affair 2: The Sneaker Edition
I am a young man focused on God, Family, and service to others. He is a graduating senior at Vanguard High School, a stem-based school in Mesquite, Texas. Caleb’s passion at Vanguard lies in the sciences, particularly robotics, physics, engineering, artificial intelligence, and 3D printing. It is creditable to note that throughout Caleb’s four years at Vanguard, he has never earned a grade less than a B, has maintained a 3.9 GPA, and is currently in the top ten percent of his graduating class. His hard work and academic persistence have led to his admittance at the prestigious Colorado School of Mines, recognized as one of the top stem-based institutions in the country. A Royal Noir Affair 2: The Sneaker Edition
For almost two decades Embrace has provided life changing programs to vulnerable children and their caregivers. The generosity of our community, partner churches, and volunteers who give their time and talent to improve the lives of children allow us to provide these services at no cost to clients or tax payers. By partnering with Embrace, you’re helping children lingering in the foster care system find the love and stability of a forever family. You’re ministering to foster parents through respite care, support groups, and valuable training. You’re supporting teens who “age-out” of foster care without an adoptive family. When you volunteer or give to Embrace, you’re making a difference. COLLIN COUNTY NAACP The NAACP has been in existence for over a century securing victories in the struggle for social justice and equality. In 2009, the NAACP celebrated a century of civic advocacy and countless strides towards social justice. Today, the strategic priorities of the Collin County Branch are to advocate for equal employment opportunities, access to high quality education, youth leadership development, voter mobilization and health. Our branch works to address these priorities through the dedicated work of our volunteer members. As a volunteer organization, all of our advocacy initiatives are implemented by our members who generously donate their time. As our branch grows, we welcome progressive minded individuals that are committed to achieving social justice in Collin County. MFS Ventures For nearly a century, we have aligned our active investment approach and the way we serve clients with a sole purpose: to create long-term value responsibly. That commitment started in 1924, when MFS launched the first US open-end mutual fund to give millions of everyday investors access to the markets. It continued through our growth to a full-service global investment management firm offering fixed income, equity and quantitative solutions to financial advisors, intermediaries and institutional clients around the world. And it has never waivered. Our ability to create value responsibly thrives on collective expertise, risk management and long-term discipline. A Royal Noir Affair 2: The Sneaker Edition
Dr. Gere' Feltus, is a DFW native with a proven record of community advocacy, support, activism, and purpose--leadership, ASAP! Her education was via Duncanville high school where STEM was a stable giving roots to her passion for science and ultimately her professional path. She currently resides in McKinney, where she was the first elected African American woman to the McKinney City Council in 2021 to represent District 3. In June of 2024, Dr. Feltus was appointed Mayor Pro Tem of the City of McKinney. SCHOLARSHIP: Having received a B.A. in biology from Austin College in 2001, earning her M.D. from Wake Forest University in 2006, and completing her residency in Family and Community Medicine at the University of Maryland in Baltimore in 2009, Dr. Feltus is no stranger to what it takes to excel academically. .After completing her medical training, she returned to her home here where she served as the Chief Executive Officer for Healthy Family Services of Texas. SERVICE: She previously served on the McKinney Economic Development Corporation, Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County Board of Directors, McKinney Chief of Police Advisory Council, and Collin College Law Enforcement Academy Advisory Board. Dr. Feltus is a volunteer middle and high school mentor to students through CityChurch McKinney. Dr. Feltus has a passion for encouraging young people to pursue their dreams of going to college and excelling in higher education. To support this, there is the Feltus Impact Fund named for her in 2021 and established to provide scholarships to young women with interests in political science, social science, or STEM careers as well as long-term mentorship to ensure their success as they navigate the difficulties of bringing their dreams to fruition. SISTERHOOD: Dr. Feltus is the middle child of 5. She and her 4 sisters are in a class all by themselves ranging in profession from Film/TV production, to Big Business Finance, Family Law, and Medicine. She and her sisters are the village of preparation for her two daughters Ryleigh (16) & Zoe (14). FINER WOMANHOOD: Dr. Feltus is a proud alumna of the Leadership McKinney Class of 2020 and In November of 2023, Dr. Feltus was appointed to the Board of Trustees at her alma mater, Austin College. A Royal Noir Affair 2: The Sneaker Edition
For almost two decades Embrace has provided life changing programs to vulnerable children and their caregivers. The generosity of our community, partner churches, and volunteers who give their time and talent to improve the lives of children allow us to provide these services at no cost to clients or tax payers. By partnering with Embrace, you’re helping children lingering in the foster care system find the love and stability of a forever family. You’re ministering to foster parents through respite care, support groups, and valuable training. You’re supporting teens who “age-out” of foster care without an adoptive family. When you volunteer or give to Embrace, you’re making a difference. COLLIN COUNTY NAACP The NAACP has been in existence for over a century securing victories in the struggle for social justice and equality. In 2009, the NAACP celebrated a century of civic advocacy and countless strides towards social justice. Today, the strategic priorities of the Collin County Branch are to advocate for equal employment opportunities, access to high quality education, youth leadership development, voter mobilization and health. Our branch works to address these priorities through the dedicated work of our volunteer members. As a volunteer organization, all of our advocacy initiatives are implemented by our members who generously donate their time. As our branch grows, we welcome progressive minded individuals that are committed to achieving social justice in Collin County. MFS Ventures For nearly a century, we have aligned our active investment approach and the way we serve clients with a sole purpose: to create long-term value responsibly. That commitment started in 1924, when MFS launched the first US open-end mutual fund to give millions of everyday investors access to the markets. It continued through our growth to a full-service global investment management firm offering fixed income, equity and quantitative solutions to financial advisors, intermediaries and institutional clients around the world. And it has never waivered. Our ability to create value responsibly thrives on collective expertise, risk management and long-term discipline. A Royal Noir Affair 2: The Sneaker Edition
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