The North Carolina Central University Office of Alumni Relations will honor 40 alumni for their contributions and leadership at the inaugural 40 Under 40 Awards Gala on Friday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m., at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham.

Chosen by a committee of their peers, the honorees are all under the age of 40 and have made significant contributions in the arts, entertainment, healthcare, sciences, education, law, business, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, public service and government. Nearly 200 alumni were nominated for inclusion in the inaugural class, making the final selection of 40 a challenge for the selection committee.

“Since its founding, NCCU has produced alumni who make a lasting impact in their communities and the world,” said Anita Walton, director of Alumni Relations. “This awards program is an opportunity to show our appreciation for their leadership and commitment to the university’s motto of ‘Truth and Service.’”

The goal of the program is to engage, re-engage, educate, honor and develop the next generation of advocates, donors and ambassadors for NCCU. In the last 18 years, more than 10,000 individuals have graduated from NCCU, according to Walton. These graduates comprise a third of the university’s alumni base.

The committee, which included alumni, university administrators and industry leaders all 39 years of age or younger, was chaired by NCCU alumni Renee Clark ’06, David Hart ’05, Jamie Patterson ’00 and Frederick Ravin III ’05.

The celebration will feature entertainment by the award-winning NCCU Jazz Ensemble, award presentations, dinner and dancing. Following the event, a Gala After Dark celebration will begin at 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are $50 per person and will be available beginning Aug. 1.

For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Anita Walton at abwalton@nccu.edu or 919-530-7517.

The honorees are:

Kim Arrington ’00
Bachelor of Arts, English
Professional Singer and Teaching Artist-Poetry, Playwriting and Music

Artist-in-Residence, The ArtsCenter, Carrboro, N.C. and Durham Arts Council, Durham, N.C.

Simeon Bannister ’03
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Director of State Relations, State University of New York

Donald Barringer ’02, ’04(MA)
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education
Teaching Fellows Director, NCCU
Adjunct Instructor, Durham Technical Community College
Adjunct Instructor, NCCU

Saprina Brown-Taylor ’99
Juris Doctorate
Founder and Principal Attorney, The Law Office of Saprina Brown Taylor, PLLC

Brian Cabarrus ’97
Bachelor of Science, Biology
Assistant Professor, East Carolina University, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Interventional Cardiology
Chest Pain Center Director, Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, N.C.,

Raedene Copeland ’02, ’07(MBA)
Bachelor of Science, Business Management
Assistant Professor, Fashion Merchandising and Design Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Seattle Pacific University

Courtney Crowder ’00
Bachelor of Arts, English Literature and French
Legislative Director, Office of Governor Beverly Perdue

Shelvia Dancy ’98
Bachelor of Arts, English Literature and Journalism
Reporter/Fill-in Anchor, WPTY (ABC), Memphis, Tenn.

Dalia Davies Flanagan ’04
Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communication
Story Producer, CMT Networks? “Bayou Billionaires”-Season 2, New York

Kenya Fairley ’98
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Director of Programs, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

Minnjuan Flournoy-Floyd ’01
Bachelor of Sciences, Biology
University of South Carolina
Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities

Charmaine Fuller-Cooper ’02
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Data Management and Communications Consultant, Brad Thompson and Associates Public Relations, Raleigh
Executive Director, N.C. Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation
NC Department of Administration Division, Raleigh, N.C.

Ajamu Giscombe ’02
Bachelors of Science, Biology
Preceptor- Marquette University School of Dentistry Externship Program
General Dentist- DentalWorks, Southridge
General Dentist- AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin

Cheryl Giscombe ’98
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Assistant Professor, Tenure Track, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Nursing

Anitra Goodman Royster ’02
Juris Doctorate
Senior Associate, Alston & Bird LLP, Durham, N.C.

Dedra Hines-Smallwood ’02, ’08(MSIS)
Bachelor of Arts Business Administration
Amaka's International Hair and Body Spa, Owner

Misha Johnson ’02
Bachelor of Science, Chemistry
Senior Clinical Project Support Specialist, Oncology, Therapeutic Delivery Unit, QUINTILES, Durham, N.C.

Jason Jowers ’07
Bachelor of Arts, History
Assistant Principal, Hillside High School, Durham Public Schools, Durham, N.C.

Kimberly Keith-Thompson ’01
Bachelor of Business Administration
Contract Specialist, Environmental Protection Agency

LaMonte Leath ’95
Bachelor of Business Administration
Owner, Warren Care Services, LLC (WCS), Burlington, N.C.
Owner, preVision Designs, LLC, Atlanta

LeVelle Moton ’96
Bachelors of Science, Recreation Administration
Head Men’s Basketball Coach, North Carolina Central University

Hazel Ogugua Richardson ’02
Bachelor of Science, Chemistry,
Specialty Clinical Pharmacist
CarePlus Specialty Pharmacy, Washington

Edward Patterson ’04
Bachelor of Business Administration
Area Director/ Senior Vice President-Citi Bank, Chicago

Louis "Skip" Perkins ’94,’98(M.A.),’00(MPA)
Bachelor of Arts
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Howard University, Washington

Carrie Richardson ’03
Bachelors of Science, Nursing
Clinical Educator/ WakeMed Hospital Supervisor, Raleigh, N.C.

Jossan Robinson ’93,’95
Mass Communication and Graphic Design
Visual Designer, Feld Entertainment, Inc., Vienna, Va.
Graphic, Web, & Fashion Designer, Creative Agencies, Greater Washington

Tobias Rose ’05
Bachelor of Arts, Computer Science and Art
Principal and Creative Director, Kompleks Creative, Durham, N.C.

Crystal Simpson ’01
Bachelors of Arts, Psychology
In-Game Host, Atlanta Spirit, LLC, Atlanta Hawks
In-Game Host, WNBA, Atlanta Dream
Morning Show Co-Host (Murph Dawg and CJ in the Morning), Cox Media Group, Syndication

Jason Soper ’07
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Representative and a national security policy advisor to United States Senator Richard Burr

Jamil Spain ’99
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration
Consultant, Renaissance Imagery LLC

Quincey Tait ’06
Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice
Police Officer, Durham Police Dept.

Etienne Thomas ’96, ’01
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Master of Arts, Athletic Administration
Associate Athletic Director/SWA, NCCU

Tulani Thomas ’98
Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration
Founder, Tutu’s Green World, LLC, South Orange, N.J.

Doanne Ward Williams ’07
Masters of Education, Communication Disorders
Owner/Accent Modification Specialist, Carolina Speech Consultants, PLLC, Raleigh, N.C.
Owner/Bilingual Speech-Language Pathologist TheraPlay Bilingual Solutions, LLC, Raleigh, N.C.

Mary Whitfield-Williams ’02, '04 
Bachelor of Art in Psychology; Bachelor of Art in Criminal Justice

Master of Art in Agency Counseling

Co-Owner/Therapist, New Beginnings Therapeutic Resources, PLLC- Durham, N.C.

Tonya Williams ’01
Bachelor of Arts, Middle Grade Education
Principal, Eno Valley Elementary School, Durham Public Schools, Durham, N.C.

Leonardo Williams ’05
Bachelor of Arts, Music
Director of Bands, Southern High School, Durham, N.C.
Summer Prep Music Camps (CEO) Durham, N.C.

Catherine Woyee-Jones ’95
Bachelor of Arts, Public Administration
Founder/Executive Director, The HUUMAN Initiative

Leroy Wray ’02, ’05 (M.Ed.)
Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education
Title I Coordinator, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Charlotte, N.C.
Founder/President, Prodigal Son Foundation, N.C.

Cornell Wright ’02, ’05 (MPA)
Bachelor of Art, Political Science
Agency Programs Manager, Center for Health and Healing, Inc.