THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 18, 1996 TAG: 9601160100
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
The morning was cold and crisp, with ice formed during the night and snow still lying on the ground, and the keynote speaker reminded those present of past struggles, asking, ``How far back do we have to go to get to the good old days?''
But the mood inside was optimistic, upbeat and buoyant as a standing-room-only crowd of more than 500 turned out Saturday to attend the 12th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Breakfast. It was sponsored by Area II Branches of the NAACP.
The crowd, the event's largest ever, filled the Scott Dozier Dining Hall on the campus of Norfolk State University, where the event was held.
``This is the largest group yet,'' commented Cheryl Davidson, Chesapeake branch secretary, who worked the door, selling and collecting tickets throughout the morning. ``We have people sitting in the lobby to eat.''
The numbers overwhelmed the staff, who had prepared for 450. Many waited in line for up to half an hour while kitchen personnel hurriedly prepared more food.
In keeping with the mood of the day, those who had to wait did so patiently and in good spirits, as musical entertainment, provided by a number of entertainers, filled the hall.
Area II chairman Paul C. Gillis, president of the Suffolk Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, explained the reason for the delay from the podium. ``This has never happened before,'' he said.
Following lengthy and warmly received remarks by the principal speaker, the Rev. A. Lincoln James Jr., pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Richmond, presentations were made by Gillis, assisted by March Cromuel, president of the Chesapeake Branch, to 25 honorees for their community service during the past year.
Among those honored were Bishop Barbara Amos, attorney Kim Crump, the Rev. Robert Murray, Clementine Parker, and the Rev. Bernard Spellman, all of Norfolk. Other honorees included Brenda Andrews of the New Journal & Guide, Congressman Bobby Scott, the South Hampton Roads Bar Association, Second Calvary Baptist Church of Norfolk, Martha Marcolini, Dr. Jimmy Jenkins, former Chesapeake Vice Mayor Willa Bazemore, Geraldine Diggs, Shirley Hines, Deloris M. Overman, Mildred Freeman and March Cromuel.
Terry Zahn accepted an award on behalf of WVEC-TV 13, and Thomas Hyman, a vice president with Virginia Power, accepted one presented to the utility.
Dr. L.D. Britt, of Norfolk, was recognized as the NAACP Area II's Man of the Year.
Also speaking at the $10-a-plate breakfast was Dana L.H. Powell, former research and editorial assistant with the Martin Luther King Papers Project at Stanford University, and the daughter of Joyce A. Powell, NAACP Area II secretary.
Portsmouth Mayor Gloria O. Webb sat at the head table, representing her colleagues in the other municipalities covered by Area II. Mayors Meyera Oberndorf of Virginia Beach and William E. Ward of Chesapeake were among the attendees.
No elected officials from Norfolk were present.
Area II of the NAACP comprises the cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach, and Isle of Wight County. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DAWSON MILLS
Congressman Bobby Scott, left, receives an award from NAACP Area II
chairman Paul C. Gillis at the Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast.
by CNB