AKOMA’S 2001 Church Roll

Bethel Christian Fellowship Pastor: Rev. Ron A. Domina Georgia Ann Prescott Breath of Life SDA Elder: Abraham Butts. Deseree Bliss Carolyn Butts Janet Poles Roxanne Richardson Church of the Covenant Pastor: Rev. Willie Davis Louise Walker McBride Community Bible Church Pastor: Rev. Denis G. Johnson Martha Davis-Wilcox Faith Covenant National Church of God Pastor: Bishop Lewis Brown, Jr. Nona Patterson Chambers Esther Pinkston First Church of God Pastor: Rev. Dr. Dwight Fowler Myrtle Day Regina Fowler Friendship Baptist Pastor: Rev. John Crocker Rosa L. Taylor-Payne Grace Episcopal Pastor: Rev. Louise Johnson-Toth Nina Whitlow Johnson Graves Institutional C.M.E. Pastor: Rev. James Jones Nancy Walters Eunice White Gloria Wilson Immaculate Conception Pastor: Father Michael Upson Joanne Gordon Ramona Moore Rose Stokes Mary Wingo Jefferson Ave. SDA Pastor: Rev. Marcel Wip A. Michelle France Sharon Hurst-Williams Dorothy Wilson

Living Word Church Pastor: Rev. Nathan McGill Clara O. Bennett Ramona Huntley Memorial AME Zion Pastor: Rev. Errol Hunt June Johnson Ruth Scott Mt. Vernon Baptist Pastor: Dr. Harmon E. Stockdale Cheryl Holloway Karen Summers New Bethel CME Pastor: Rev. Raymond Graves Julia Lawson Anita Simpson New Life Fellowship Pastor: Rev. Reginald & Dr. Cynthia McGill Phyllis Griffin Second Baptist - Mumford Pastor: Rev. Dr. Charles A. Thurman Brenda Robinson Arlette Miller Smith Hattie Welch Arlene Williams Simple Truth Ministries Pastor: Pastor Shelby Garfield Maggie Moore-Holley Spreading The Good News Ministries Pastors: Ivor & Henrietta Rollock Myla Wright St. Luke/St. Simon's Cyrene Pastor: Rev. Gayle Harris Ruth Anderson St. Paul Holiness Church Pastor: Abraham Parker Kristy Jackson Tabernacle of Joyful Praise SDA Pastor: Demetrius Jones Marilyn Johnson Valerie White-Whittick Kathleen Wright Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Pastor: Rev. Dr. Richard Douglass Dolores Trimiew

Rochester’s African American Women’s Gospel Choir

6th Annual Nona Chambers Scholarship Concert

Saturday, June 16, 2001 5:00 pm

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church 141 Adams Street Rochester, NY

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AKOMA is Rochester's African American Women's Gospel Choir whose Akan name means patience, endurance, consistency and faithfulness. AKOMA's Adinkra symbol is the heart which indicates compassion, tenderness and charity.

After a debut performance in August of 1995 for Womenfest, a day-long celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Women's Right to Vote --- the group of thirty-five women decided to embrace a musical ministry that encompassed both their collective faith and their love for gospel music. Under the direction of Janet Rugless-Poles, executive music director; Cheryl Holloway, conductor/soloist; and Arlette Miller Smith, founder/executive director, the group adopted the name AKOMA because it symbolizes their African heritage while highlighting their strong spiritual roots, along with their desire to serve within the Rochester community. In fact, more than 17 Rochester area churches are represented on AKOMA's current roster of more than fifty active members. Although a young choir in Rochester's gospel tradition, AKOMA, in its first year, was featured at numerous local programs and concerts, including those at local churches and high schools, the Memorial Art Gallery, the Heavenly Praise Christian Club, Rochester's Summer in the Park Concert series and the Black Church Studies Program at Colgate Divinity School. On June 22, 1996, AKOMA made its debut concert and established the Nona Patterson Chambers Scholarship in honor of their elder member and adopted choir mother. In its first year, Mother Nona’s Scholarship was awarded to three recipients. In its second year, AKOMA continued to grow in its music ministry. The choir began its year with performances for the Helen Barrett Montgomery Institute at Colgate Rochester Divinity School and a benefit appearance for the Alzheimer’s Minority Outreach Project. AKOMA then was blessed to be asked to sing as the backup vocal group for Grammy award winner Larnelle Harris in his benefit concert for the Rochester Junior Academy. AKOMA also performed at the Martin Luther King Day with the Fairport High School Choir and at Roberts Wesleyan College during Black History month. Additionally, AKOMA was featured on Channel 13's "Many Voices, Many Visions" television show. The 96-97 performance year saw AKOMA’S second annual concert and scholarship presentation and a performance at Strong Museum to commemorate Juneteenth. A concert in Bergen was sponsored by Bergen First Presbyterian, St Brigid’s Catholic Church and Bergen First United Methodist Church to raise money for the Nona Patterson Chambers Scholarship, and AKOMA participated in the Asbury Revival given by the Asbury First United Methodist Church. During the fall of 97-98, AKOMA members worked on strengthening their ministry of song and service which culminated with their participation in a song fest at the United Church of Christ of Henrietta. In February of 1998, AKOMA’s shining moment came when the group had an opportunity to provide the music for the program featuring Seattle poet laureate Mona Lake Jones at St. John Fisher College. Dr. Jones wrote the poem, “A Room Full of Sisters”, which AKOMA has used as its introductory anthem since the group’s inception. AKOMA’s 1998-1999 concert year was filled with attention to the 150th celebration of the first women’s rights convention which was held in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. AKOMA presented a specially commissioned docudrama titled “Stirring the Waters,“ Tending the Pots An African American Women’s Suffrage Song at GEVA Theatre, July 14, 1998. Later in the summer, the sisters performed at the Susan B. Anthony festival. Benefit engagements included concerts for Second Baptist – Mumford and the Yadseut Club of Memorial AME Zion. AKOMA’s fifth year (1999-2000) began with the October conference and awards program honoring Bishop Desmond Tutu, where AKOMA provided the music, along with St. John Fisher’s gospel choir. In November, AKOMA participated in the dedication of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church’s new edifice. Then in December, AKOMA provided the vocal music for the Penfield Symphony’s Holiday Concert, as well as the music for the Salvation Army’s Weekly Wednesday Series. AKOMA, along with the BlackStoryTelling League, was the featured guest for the Rochester Chapter of Jack and Jill’s Annual Black History Scholarship Program in February. In March, AKOMA was the choral music guest for a concert that benefited Zion Hill Ministries. Plattsburgh, New York was AKOMA’s destination in April for SUNY-Plattsburgh’s Annual Gospel Concert. During our 6th year (2000-2001), AKOMA was invited to sing for Penfield Symphony’s Annual Christmas Concert and the Rochester Family Mission’s Benefit Concert. In April, AKOMA presented a Benefit Concert at the Memorial AME Zion Church for the Friends of Frederick Douglass. The sisters of AKOMA are now accepting a limited number of engagements for 2001-2002. Please direct your inquiries to Ruth Anderson (482-5192).

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- In Memory of - Edna Mae Lattimore Rice September 23, 1933 – December 29, 2000

Edna Mae Rice was born September 29, 1933 in Augusta, Georgia, the daughter of John Henry and Ruth Lattimore, later moving to New York and raised by her dutiful step-father, Deacon James “Jack” Cottom. Edna died on December 29, 2000 and is survived by three sons: Gregory, Craig, and Clinton (Karen) Rice, of Rochester, New York; six grandchildren: Christianna, Kayla, Kristin, and Imani Rice, Courtney Lucas, all of Rochester, New York; Justin Witherspoon of Boca Raton, Florida; and nephews, nieces, friends, and members of Second Mumford. Edna Lattimore Rice was a versatile woman; she loved to sing, bowl, and cook. Indeed, she was noted as one of the finest cooks in the area. She was one

who loved children, especially her grandchildren and her family. Sis. Rice was married to Rev. Richard Rice for twenty-eight years. Edna Lattimore Rice worked as a Nurse’s Aid, a daycare provider, home health aid, as well as, being an employee of both Bausch and Lomb and Eastman Kodak. Sis Rice’s community activities included: being a member of the Eastern Star, the AKOMA Choir, and a long-time member of Second Baptist Church-Mumford, where she was a member of the Chancel Choir. Edna Lattimore Rice was a woman full of life. Her sons remember her as one who taught them to work hard, give freely, and never give up. Edna Rice was a devoted mother, wife, friend, and sister of AKOMA.

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Favorite Song: His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely And long for heav’n and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.

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Benefactors $50.00 Billy R. Day Dr. Darryl Trimiew - Dean of Black Church Studies CRDS Eunice & Carolyn White Rev. Michael Upson - Immacaulate Conception Church

Sponsors $25.00 All God’s Children Collector's Club All Seasons Travel (Ralph Parmeleel) Art, Arlette & Tamisha Smith Beverly Majors Bishop Lewis Brown Bob & Arlene Williams Clyde & Gloria Wilson Sr. Daniel Walters, Jr. Floral Boutique Florist (Marty Hall) Jeanette Kittles Mr. & Mrs. Alton Burns Sr. Mr. & Mrs. V. Stroud Myra Cuff State Farm Insurance Agency Patricia Reaser - Mt. Vernon Jr. Matrons Raymond Pinkeney Rev. James Jones (Graves C.M.E. Church) Richard & Sandy Stein Robert Turner Second Baptist Church - Mumford Sharon Chandler Sherard Cox Spreading The Good News Ministries Virdell T. Robbins Mr. & Mrs. William G. Scott

Patrons $10.00

Agnes Wright Alphonso & Iona White Arlene & John Hardaway Barbara Randolph Bertram Gamory Booker Williams Brenda Joseph Carolyn Thomas Charles & Brenda Robinson Cheryl Dyer Creoala Shelton Cristyn Scott Delbert Alleyne Delores Simmons Donnye Graham, Xavier & Jadyn Johnson Dorothy E. Reed Elizabeth Watkins Ellen & John Sargeant Ellen Patterson Ethan David Williams Everlena Hunt

Patrons $10.00 (cont’d) Florence Jones Gloria Huddleston Gwendolyn Glenn Henry & Mildred Beason In Memory of Rosetta Payne Belmont Johnnie Powell Jonathan P. Stokes LaTia Grant & Shaun Tubbins Leslie Edwards Linda Joseph & Kevin Lucy Day Manuel & Hattie Welch Marjorie & Susanne Carpenter Mary Johnson Mary K. Nelson Mr. & Mrs. A. White Mr. & Mrs. Karl Montanate Mrs. Frances Wright Mrs. Priscilla Walters Nina Whitlow Johnson Pauline Price Phyllis Wallace Prudence Wilson Rosalind G. Allen Roy K. Battle Ruby & Betty McClenney Sandy Tellex Tchumsy J. Wright Jr. Toni Brooks Tracy & Sandra Willliams Van & Madeline Burke

Friends $5.00 Alice Gray Andrew Alexander Anne Rose Barthelemy & Family Brian Chandler Catherine Stewart Doris Fields Elder Lewis Brown Jr. Gertrude Mathias Helen James Lela Gibbons Leon Lewis Mary Pritchard Mr. & Mrs. Jamaal Walters Mrs. Cora Thomas Penny Jones Reva Culpepper Shirley Scott Sonja Lackin Tanya Day/GRO Promotions Terry Napierala Wonya Williams

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If you plan for a year, sow a seed; If you plan for a decade, plant a tree;

If you plan for a century, educate the people. — Dr. Addie Mitchell

Nona Patterson Chambers 2001 Scholarship Awards

The Nona Chambers Scholarship was named in honor of our AKOMA mother, Nona Patterson Chambers. Mother Nona is our eldest and most beloved member. She has served as an example of what it really means to be a dedicated and humble Christian mother. Mother Nona is a faithful member whose quiet manner and beautiful smile make it very fitting that this scholarship be named in her honor. Scholarship Commission Cheryl Holloway – Chairperson Dolores Trimiew, Ex-Officio Ruth Anderson Ruth Scott Rose Stokes Louise Walker-McBride

2001 Scholarship Recipients Uwem Udofa $1000.00 Kirkshinta Turnipseed $400.00 Peta-Gae Andrade $200.00 Shakira Nelson $200.00 Natasha Nichole Stevens $200.00 Shemeka Davis $100.00 LaTia Dukes $100.00 Takara Gray $100.00 Aja Houston $100.00 Brandi Howard $100.00 Delora Nicole Turner $100.00

1999 Scholarship Recipients Johnique Ter’esa Billups

Erica Michelle Bryant Kimberly Alecia Thurman

Sonia Elizabeth Uter

1997 Scholarship Recipients Tameka Avant

Danielle Gaston Yuressa Hubbard Rashida Moore

1998 Scholarship Recipients La-Toya Dukes

Katrina Louise Jones Tamisha N. Smith

Melody Terese Williams

1996 Scholarship Recipients April N. Anderson Donnye Graham

Shalewa Hardaway

2000 Scholarship Recipients Margaret Neal Enis Lindsey Green Deidre Hill Sherell Scott

Leah Thompson

2000 Book Recipients Tyanisha Brown Brandy Rosier Re’shawna Turner Naomi Woffard

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AKOMA’s Sixth Annual Scholarship Concert

“More Than Enough” Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song;

he also is become my salvation. — Isaiah 12:2 Saturday, June 16, 2001 - 5:00 pm

Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Rochester, NY

Introit - When the Saints Go to Worship Soloist: Cheryl Holloway Liturgical Dancer: Sharon Maxwell Opening Prayer Rev. Valerie A. Smith Processional - I Came to Magnify Soloist: Maggie Moore-Holley Welcome Nancy Walters Reading Arlette Miller Smith Selection - More Than Enough Soloists: Kristy Jackson Clara O. Bennett

Nona Patterson Chambers Scholarship Tributes Scholarship Presentations Cheryl Holloway Dedication to Graduates - Keep Me True Soloist: Michelle France Selection - I Can’t Give Up Now Kingdom Bound Young Adult Choir Soloists: Tiffany Poles & Dawn Forbes Piano Solo Melvin Bryant, Jr.

Offering

Selection - A Better Day Soloist: Darlene Richardson Medley of Negro Spirituals Men of AKOMA Directed & Arranged by William G. Scott Selection - Alabaster Box Soloist: Martha Davis-Wilcox Interpreter: Evelyn Greenwade-Boltwood Selection - What if God is not Happy with Our Praise Directed by Carey Smith, Jr. Selection - Jesus is a Rock Selection - Great is Your Mercy *Ensemble Benediction Rev. Valerie A. Smith

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Musicians Keyboard - Melvin Bryant Keyboard - Janet Poles Organ - Karen Summers Guitar - William Gould Drummer - Arlo Rollock Conductors Cheryl Holloway Dorothy Wilson Janet Poles William G. Scott Carey Smith, Jr. Nurse Roxanne Richardson *Ensemble Members June Johnson Darlene Richardson Phillip Saulsbury Arlette Miller Smith Karen Summers Gloria Wilson Kathleen Wright

Technical Support Esther Pinkston Dorothy Wilson Anita Simpson Julia Lawson Photograpy/Video Benjamin Pinkston Ushers Debra Bell Linda Dumas Evelyn Greenwade-Boltwood Jessica McEwen Linda Phillips Offering Oliver France Oscar Holloway Arthur Smith Manuel Welch

AKOMA’s Program Participants

Melvin E. Bryant, Jr. Featured artist performing with AKOMA this year is Minister Melvin E. Bryant. Minister Bryant is a native of Rochester, New York. He completed his undergraduate studies at Howard University and received his Masters from the University of Buffalo. Melvin has traveled with the renowned Richard Smallwood and has recorded with Wintley Phipps, the Gospel Music Workshop of America and his own group “Joy”. Melvin is currently the Minister of Music at the Church of the Great Commission in Camp Springs, Maryland. Melvin’s live recording will be released in the Spring of 2001. William G. Scott Principal Guest conductor for AKOMA is Mr. William G. Scott. Mr. Scott graduated from SUNY Fredonia, with a Masters De-gree from the University of Buffalo. He then completed additional studies at the Manhattan School of Music, University of Mis-souri and SUNY Brockport. He taught at Pioneer Central School District in Delevan, NY and Rochester City School District for 26 years. He is currently the Chairman of Voice Department at the Hochstein School of Music, Life member of MENCC (Music Edu-cators National Conference) and NYS Music Association. Additionally he is an adjunct Professor of Choir at Alfred University. He has been a guest conductor for numerous All County and Festival Choirs. Mr. Scott also is a Certified NYSSMA All State Ad-judicator and he serves on the Board of Directors for Young Audiences. Carey Smith, Jr. AKOMA’s second guest conductor for 2001 is Carey Smith, Jr. Minister Smith began playing the piano at the late Bishop Carey Smith’s church. Carey Jr. attended East High School and directed the East High Gospel Choir. He also studied at the Hochstein Music School. He has served at Emmanuelle Temple. Carey also has worked with Fred Hammond, along with Park Stewart, the song writer for the gospel group Commissioned. Currently Minister Smith serves as head of the music & choir department at Christ Temple Apostolic Faith Church. He also is the assistant music director at Breath of Life Church and the principal director of the Saint John Fisher Gospel Choir.