Delta Presents inducts 13 alumni into Hall of Fame

Since 1973, the Little Rock Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. has spotlighted outstanding black male high school seniors via its annual Delta Presents program. Alumni of the program have gone on to make their mark in society in various ways.

Thirteen of those alumni were honored Nov. 17 during the inaugural Delta Presents Hall of Fame induction gala, hosted by the Delta Presents Outreach Foundation Inc. and taking place in the Andrews Ballroom, Chenal Country Club in Little Rock.

With a background of music by Danny Fletcher featuring Jazz R Us, honorees and their escorts walked a red carpet into the reception that preceded the dinner event. They later sat down to dinner at a long center table dividing the ballroom full of round tables.

Foundation chairman Virginia Abrams greeted guests, while Lottie Shackelford gave the history of Delta Presents. The honored alumni were Sidney Moncrief, 1974; Austin Porter Jr., 1978; Orville E. Abrams Jr., 1979; Scott Hamilton, 1984; James Rodgers Jr., 1985; Darren Peters, 1986; Darrin Williams, also 1986; Reginald Johnson, 1988; Eric W. Payne, also 1988; Darius Nelson, 1989; Timothy Pruitt Jr., 2003; Jonathan Evans, 2010; and the late Roosevelt Thompson, 1980. Also honored were Dexter Doyne, recipient of the Pyramid Award; and Teresa Conner of Baptist Health, recipient of the Corporate Sponsor Award.

During the program each honoree, introduced via individual video, gave a short acceptance speech after being presented with his award.

Making the presentations were hall of fame cochairman Rose Barnes and Mary Guinn; and Jannie Cotton, co-chairman of the foundation board of directors. Board member and gala co-chairman Tonya Hooks made closing remarks.

Honorees (front row) Darren Peters; Darrin Williams; Pyramid Award recipient Dexter Doyne; corporate sponsor award winner Teresa Conner; Scott Hamilton; Jonathan Evans; and (back row), Austin Porter Jr.; Darius Nelson; Reginald M. Johnson; Sidney Moncrief; Timothy Pruitt Jr.; James Rodgers Jr.; and Orville E. Abrams Jr.

Tim and Rosalyn Pruitt, Katherine Gipson, and Rex and Lewonda Gipson of Collierviille, Tenn.

Honoree Scott Hamilton with his wife, Martie North Hamilton; sister, Carmen Parks; mother, Wanda Hamilton, and sister, Tracy Hamilton

Harriet Ford, Barbara Cole and Lula P. Brooks

Vince and Edie Miller, Edward and Bernadette Coleman, and Virgil W. Miller Sr. of Pine Bluff

David Dixon of Charlotte, N.C., with Randy Blount, Joseph Davis and Jade Mongo

Honoree Sidney Moncrief and his wife, Takisha

Kevin Lyons and Bettye Baxter

Nicki Barrnes and Cynthia White

Honoree Eric W. Payne (center) with Rose Barnes, co-chairman of the Delta Presents Hall of Fame, and Jannie Cotton, co-chairman of the Delta Presents Outreach Foundation Inc. board of directors

Jannie Cotton and Donna Terrell

Foundation chairman Virginia Abrams