In a landmark weekend that will pay tribute to African Americans in science, engineering, and technology at the 24th annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) STEM Global Competitiveness Conference ceremony was hosted at the Baltimore Convention Center Feb. 18-20.
The awards ceremony honored Gen. William E. “Kip” Ward, the first commander of US Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany, with the BEYA Lifetime Achievement Award. Ward earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Morgan State University and holds a master’s in political science from Penn State. Prior to his current position, Ward served as the deputy commander, Headquarters U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, among other prestigious staff assignments over the course of 39 years of service to the U.S. Army.
Since Ward was first commissioned into the Army in June 1971, the general has collected several prestigious badges such as the Distinguished Service Medal, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge and the Legion of Merit to name a few.
Among other honorees is Vice Adm. Adam Robinson, Navy surgeon general, who will receive the Medical Officer of the Year Award for his contribution to relief efforts in Haiti.
“As the [recipient of the] Medical Officer of the Year Award, I accept it because we truly are committed to not only our graduate health educated programs, but we’re also very committed to medical research and to the research and development world, those things that will help us and help the people that we serve,” Robinson added. “So I think that this emphasizes our commitment to medical and scientific research.”
Vice Adm. Adam Robinson, Navy surgeon general, received the Medical Officer of the Year Award for his contribution to relief efforts in Haiti.
I atttended… North Carolina A&T University. “Aggie Born Aggie Bred and when I die…”
The reason you are reading about me is… Because I am an Artistic Director/Choreographer in Hollywood that have choreographed numerous Videos, Awards Shows, Commercials, TV Sitcoms, Tours, and Movies.
Right now I’m working on… Stomp The Yard 2 (Homecoming), Sprite Step Off, Nickelodeon “Fresh Beat Band” and a McDonald’s Commercial.
But if I wasn’t, I’d be… Teaching and Educating young dancers about the Entertainment Industry.
One thing I do every day is… Workout at the gym, eat healthy, and find ways to market myself for future jobs.
I can’t stand when people… Give up on there dreams.
But I love it when people… Work hard, and motivate and inspires themselves to be the best that they can be. Both as a person and in there career.
If you happen to run into me in the street… You will find out that I am a kind warm hearted, and very friendly person that cares.
The Best piece of advice I ever received was… Take the first Step in Faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first Step.
If I had to coin it, my message would be… Ask, Believe and Receive.
My future plans and projects include… Working on Producing future Shows.
Big Ups to… My family and Friends that always support me in all my endeavors. I am grateful to them.
Chuck Maldonado is a four time award winning Choreographer who has served as choreographer for the 1996 opening ceremony for the Centennial Olympic Games utilizing 400 Steppers. As an International Master Dance Workshop Teacher, each summer, Chuck choreographs a one-week Stepping & Hip Hop Master Workshop for Debbie Allen Dance Academy’s ‘Hip-Hop Intensive.’
In Major Motion Pictures, Chuck Choreographed ‘Stomp the Yard,’ ‘Bewitched,’ & ‘Shark Tale.’ He has also choreographed two Major Motion Picture Promotional Videos for Disney Pictures, “G Force” and “Underdog.” Chuck has worked with many Major Recording Artists including Chris Brown, P. Diddy, Ne-Yo, Fergie, Tamia, Missy Elliott, Raven Symone, Ludacris, Lisa ‘Left-Eye’ Lopez and a countless list of others.
As a proud member of both Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated & Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity Incorporated, Chuck draws on knowledge from his many experiences including having been a Percussionist in North Carolina A&T’s Marching Band where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing & Management.
My Name is… Erika Ringor. I was born and raised in the city of Angels but I also spent a huge part of my childhood summers in Detroit with my family.
The reason you are reading about me is… because I have proven to be someone to reckon with in this crazy movie business that we all hate to love. As an actress, I have paid my dues and I’m moving up in this crazy game. My skin is thick, (yet soft at the same time ) and I’m ready for the world. Lez go!
Right now I’m working on… writing my first feature script that I will direct, my directorial debut (yay!). As an actress, I’m set to star in 2 wonderful independent films early this spring, and I am working a lot on different network tv shows. (The Forgotten, Sons of Anarchy, Cold Case, etc.) It was a great 2009!
But if I wasn’t, I’d be in… Africa working with the peace corps helping feed the hungry and educating people on the importance of health.
One thing I do every day is… thank God for everything.
I can’t stand when people… aren’t honest.
But I love it when people… really laugh, it’s good for the soul.
If you happen to run into me in the street… say “Aren’t you that girl from Love & Basketball???”…it never gets old…I LOVE IT!!
The Best piece of advice I ever received was… ALWAYS be true to yourself.
If I had to coin it, my message would be… if you tell the truth you don’t have to remember what you said.
My future plans and projects include… to be a working actress on films that affect people in a way that it opens their minds and makes them realize how much better this world would be if we all changed our way of thinking just a little. My ULTIMATE future plan is to win an Oscar doing these types of films.
Big Ups to… my family and friends for ALWAYS having my back and keeping me grounded.
Mary Crawford has plenty of reasons to be proud of her daughter.
Despite getting pregnant in high school, Crawford’s daughter didn’t miss a day of school and managed to graduate. She earned a degree in communications from Howard University.
When Mary Crawford’s son, Steven, was imprisoned for a murder he didn’t commit, her daughter wrote letters and contacted whoever she could in an effort to help free him.
Crawford’s daughter is Linda D. Thompson. On Jan. 4, Crawford will have one more reason to be proud of her daughter. On that day, Thompson will be sworn in as Harrisburg’s mayor.
When that happens, the 49-year-old Thompson will become the first woman — and the first African-American — to lead Pennsylvania’s capital city. In the Democratic primary, she defeated Mayor Stephen Reed, who has been in office since 1982. She bested Republican Nevin Mindlin in November.
For those reasons, The Patriot-News has chosen Linda D. Thompson as the 2009 Newsmaker of the Year.
The 78-year-old Crawford described her daughter as “a fighter.”
“Of all of my children, she was the most ambitious,” Crawford said. “If she sets out to do something and doesn’t get it the first time, she’s going to keep on fighting for it.”
That’s part of the Linda Thompson that residents have come to know during her time on Harrisburg’s City Council. But there is much more to the next mayor than what the public sometimes sees.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Beauchamp in July of 2009 on a boat ride in New Orleans. We had the opportunity to play the halftime portion of the BCFX game in which players battle for team swag via a drum line competition. The setup is similar to the popular game Rock band’s drum experience. After getting property “shilacked” by Jacquie she informed me she was a band graduate of Southern University No fair. Read the rest of this entry »
We recently had the opportunity to catch up with Actor Keith Robinson. Known for his roles in Dream Girls, and ER among others, Keith is a friend on the move and definitely is one to watch. Read the rest of this entry »
The reason you are reading about me is that for over 10 years now as a research and media based dermatologist, I have passionately educated thousands nationally about our hair and skin issues via magazines, radio, television, internet and now film as the only dermatologist for the Chris Rock movie, ‘Good Hair’ (theaters Oct 2009) Read the rest of this entry »
Name: Dyonicia Brown
Age: 28
Position: Communications and Outreach Director for ServeDC
In the same vein as the President and First Lady’s call for national service, ServeDC is the D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty’s call to service. Dyonicia Brown is the woman behind the Office on Volunteerism’s marketing, outreach and public relations, working to boost the spirit of service amongst D.C. residents through partnerships with civic groups, government agencies, and national service programs. Brown worked for Phillip Morris USA before joining the public sector.
*Repping Howard University Read the rest of this entry »
The reason you are reading about me is… I’m running for Atlanta’s City Council District 11. The southwest side of Atlanta has been neglected for far too long by our city’s leaders. I plan to bring my business expertise and passion about economic development to help our area as well as the entire city of Atlanta become as successful as it can be. Read the rest of this entry »
No fair. 
