Jordan Nichols , President
Young Adult Department
Argusta Stevens
Board of Directors Chairman
Cozetta Washington Perry
COUNSELOR
Nyicia Morgan, President
Junior & Young People Department
Emoni Thornwell
1st Vice President
William Long , Sr.
Supervisor
HISTORY OF THE YOUNG ADULT DEPARTMENT
The Young Adult Department was organized in March 1969 with the objective of bridging the gap of unity between the Juniors and Seniors.
The original five members of the department were Alberta Jones, Olivia Campbell, Miriam Cherry, Ruth Ann Williams and Valerie Rock.
Miriam Cherry was the first President. Following President Cherry’s tenure, Elizabeth Snyder, Linwood Marshall Harris, Elijah Green, Loraine Larmond, Wynetta Erwin, Mildred Moore, Mary Edwards, Melinda H. Smith, Norris Bullock, Imogene V. Jones, Brenda A, Jenkins, Victor Johnson, Dina Lynch, Latisha Curry, Tina A. Renee’ Ford, Tasha McIver, Zacchaerus Branch and Argusta Stevens served as President. Jordan Nichols is the current President. Elizabeth Stevens was the first counselor, followed by Diana Perry, Rosa C. Lovell, Sarah Francis, Elaine Harris, and Brenda A. Jenkins, Lorraine P. Burch, Kassandra Brooks and Octavia Kinard. Unfortunately, Counselor Kinard perished in a house fire just six months into her first-year tenure. Victor J. Johnson and Latisha M. Curry served as Co-Counselors; the current Counselor is Victor J. Johnson. The Department has won second and third prizes at the National Convention several times with the National Birthday Calendar Project; and also, the Arts and Craft Project.
In years 2000 and 2001, the department won first prize in the National Birthday Calendar Project; and again, in the year 2002 making the department successful in winning the National Birthday Calendar Project three consecutive years in a row. From 2009 to 2015, the department won first prize in the National Birthday Calendar Project.
At the National Convention in 2015 the department placed second in the Birthday Calendar Project and in 2016 the department won first place in the Birthday Calendar Project. In 2019 at the 100th Centennial Convention, Jordan Nichols was crowned King of the National Adult Young Department.
Sister Alberta Jones was the first National Young Adult President and is now the National Young Adult President Emeritus. Timothy Douglas served as the 15th National
Young Adult President (1998-2000). In 2015 Tamata Larmond was elected National Young Adult President.
In 1994, under the leadership of our then President, Imogene V. Jones, we organized our 1st Annual Young Adult Department Christmas Toy Drive.
Though small in number, the Young Adult Department is strong in our faith in the Lord, and our devotion to continuing the objectives of the founding five members.
Gone from labor to reward, but not forgotten are:
Ruth Ann Williams; Adie Ireland; Linwood Marshall Harris; David Rice; Rose C. Lovell;
Miriam Cherry; Loraine Larmond; Diana Perry; Sarah Francis; Elijah Green; Valerie
Rock and Octavia Kinard. 15th National President Timothy Douglas transitioned on
June 3, 2016.
HISTORY OF THE JUNIOR DEPARTMENT
The Junior & Young People Department was organized in 1957 at the States first
convention which was held in Buffalo, New York at Calvary Baptist Church, pastored by
Rev. Peter Trammel. In attendance were delegates from the Buffalo and Brooklyn
Units. In 1977, Queens became the third Unit in the State.
The department began with 15 members and a prayer that it would flourish, and it has.
The Department was also fashioned after the Senior Department, having similar officers and auxiliaries.
The first President was Charles Jennings (Buffalo) and under the leadership of each
additional President who helped blaze the path for this department, it has grown
manifold. Those that succeeded President Jennings were: Saul Williams (Brooklyn),
Pauline Williams (Buffalo), Whitfield Washington (Buffalo), Diana Perry (Buffalo),
Nathaniel Green (Buffalo), Mildred Moore (Brooklyn), Cozetta Perry (Buffalo), Kenneth
Robinson (Brooklyn), Jesse Howard (Brooklyn), Tina Riley (Buffalo), Norris Bullock
(Brooklyn), Elise A. Edwards (Brooklyn), Latisha M. Curry (Buffalo), Nailah Wright
(Brooklyn), Giovanni A. M. Flack (Brooklyn), Minister Adrian Blue (Buffalo), Antoinette
Bethune (Queens), Ebony Gavin (Brooklyn), Xavier Wilkins (Buffalo), Racine McLamb
(Queens), Kimberly Jones (Brooklyn) and O’Justin Kinard (Brooklyn), Jordan Paige
(Brooklyn) and Nyicia Morgan of Queens is the current President.
The first supervisor was Elizabeth Stevens. Past supervisors are Cozetta Perry, Gwen
Wiggins, Jacquelyn Mock, Nancy McIntosh, L. E. Tina Barnes, Rebecca Boone-Lee,
Mildred Moore, Aurelia Gibson, Betty J. McIver. Our current supervisor is Rashein B.
McDonald; her vision of embracing technology, along with greater communication and
fellowship within the Units has enhanced a stronger Department.
Some of the Department’s proudest feats were winning the Vicie Juran Crown at the
National Convention three consecutive years in a row (1987, 1988 and 1989). This
earned the right to have the crown retire to our State. In 1990, we came in second
place; 1991, 1992 and 1993 we came in third place for three years and received
another crown for our State. In 2000, the department came in first place in the Vicie
Juran contest winning yet another crown for our State.
In 2001, the department came in second for the Vicie Juran. In 2013, our department came in First Place in the Junior Drill Team Competition at the 94th National onvention in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
In 2014 our department won 3rd Place in the Vicie Juran Contest. In 2017, the
department came in first place in the Vicie Juran Contest, at the 98th National
Convention in Rochester, NY. We have three National Presidents: Betty S. Payne-
Staton (1952-1956), Robert Green (1963-1966) and Giovanni Flack (1998-2001).
Our State Flower is the Red Rose; the color red representing Jesus’ blood that was
shed on Calvary’s cross for our sins; and the thorns symbolizing the mock crown that
was placed upon his head by the soldiers, is truly representative of our commitment to
be steadfast doorkeepers in the house of our God.