By Staff Writer
Voice & Viewpoint
On Wednesday, June 18, the Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce hosted a small scholarship luncheon at the Jacobs Center to award scholarships to four deserving students who have set their sights on attending college. Established around five years ago, the Black chamber’s mission is to promote commerce for the advancement of economic development within the San Diego community.
Coordinated by Ms. Lorise Maynard, the event served as a phenomenal opportunity for award recipients’ loved ones to come and celebrate the success of their students, along with business professionals in the San Diego community. “It’s important that when professionals reach a certain level that they give back,” she said. Maynard emphasized that when professionals give back to scholarship funds, they receive tenfold! “It’s like we’re replenishing ourselves,” she said. The four scholarship recipients to receive awards were Janelle Meria Spikes who plans to attend Tuskegee University; Tarik Hudspeth, who plans to attend San Jose State University; Dante Efren Lemons, who plans to attend Baylor University and Keraneicia Aaron who will be attending Spelman College.
In honor of the founder of San Diego’s first Black Chamber, and late publisher of The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper, Gerri Warren, the Central San Diego Black Chamber awarded Keraneicia with the Gerri Warren Scholarship in the amount of $500. Chida R. Warren-Darby, youngest daughter of Warren, was present to do the honors. “I’m honored that my mother has been recognized and that this scholarship is being given in her name,” she said. “Keraneicia, you have some big shoes to fill, but you can do it if you keep God first. My mother was a dreamer, and she would want me to tell you to dream big!”
Senior Diverse Business Enterprise Advisor, Bruce Mayberry, served as the luncheon’s emcee, giving words of welcome, and nuggets of advice to parents and students alike. Luncheon keynote speaker was Brian Ware, who is president of the National Society of Black Engineers. Ware gave words of encouragement to the budding scholars, and emphasized that education is key.
Recently appointed Chamber president, Mr. Jerry Robinson shared “Through the luncheon, we had an opportunity to recognize four eligible young people in the community. It was also a chance for the chamber to bring in NSBE so that they could speak to the recipients. Having a young person speak to young people was as great idea,” he said, “ and having Chida being present and giving history on her mother allowed us an opportunity to recognize what she’s done.”
Sponsors for the event and scholarship were Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay Indians and Sempra Energy.
Photography by Kimetha Hill
