By Tiffany Jackson
A day to remember, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated, Psi Chapter saluted local business entrepreneurs that have been significant contributors in the field of business throughout the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. In celebration of their annual National Business Month, these recipients received accolades based on their community interest in business trends, administration and education.
During the business symposium, the recipients set on a panel to discuss briefly about their business then the floor was opened to the audience for a question and answer session. Shortly afterwards, the luncheon and award ceremony was held. The 2008 honorees were among the best of the best. They included: Reverend Isaac C. Johnson of Ike’s Moving in Delivery and as the only male honoree he received the Alvernon K. Tripp Hall of Fame Award Inductee; Sarrita Nicole Kelly of Blankets by Nikki who received the Sharon Thomas Smith Youth Entrepreneur; Arlivia Gamble of State Farm Insurance received the Corporate Achievement Award, Cheryl Smith, editor of The Dallas Weekly, KKDA Radio Talk Show Host and college professor of Paul Quinn College received the Community Service Award; Beverly Moore of Children’s Medical Center received the Betty J. Brown Award and Tiffany Kamuche was the Mackey-Tillman Scholarship Recipient. Other recipients included: Schnell Blanton (Imperial Beverage Group, LLC), Harriet M. Lacy (Oakland Avenue Barber and Beauty Shop), Sarah English Freddie (LFG Group, LLC) and Shirley Smith (Exquisite Detail & Design) who are the current Lola M. Parker Achievement Award honorees, the founder of Iota Lambda. Past recipients of the award also received recognition.
The Lola M. Parker Achievement Award is the highest award given by Iota Lambda Sorority. Nominees are selected because they have excelled as business and professional women and are known publicly for their cooperative work and their commitment to community service. It was wonderful to see these great women, especially those who received the award as early as 1975. The level of support for all honorees was huge and the love and admiration for them was even bigger.
“I come from a third generation of barbers and it has been a passion for me to live out my dream,” said Harriet Lacy of Oakland Avenue Barber and Beauty Salon. “Don’t be afraid of the space between you and your dream, if you can dream it then you can achieve it,” she continued.
Beverly Moore of Children’s Medical Center left these words, “It’s not about finding yourself; it is about creating yourself.”
The Cityplace Conference Center was filled with great people with wonderful accomplishments and encouraging words. Schnell Blanton of Imperial Beverage Group is the only woman owned African American wine and spirit distributorship in the United States. Many of the honorees been in business for over 20 years. Some have been featured in the Wall Street Journal. Others have received record-breaking scholarship funds while Sarrita Kelly stood out as the youngest in the group as a junior in high school with a mind of an entrepreneur.
It is evident that all that gathered and honored had found themselves and have shared their knowledge and time with others.
Charlotte Berry, the Assistant Southwest Regional Director encouraged those to keep up the great work and Psi Chapter President, Nona Fisher closed out the program by stating the other great accomplishments that Iota Lambda is known for.
“All proceeds go to benefit the Education and Scholarship Fund,” she said. “We were able to provide $11,000 to one of the single un-wed mothers who decided to go to college. We also provide funds for the United Negro College Fund, book scholarships and much more.”
About Iota Lambda Sorority Inc.
In 1929, Mrs. Lola M. Parker of Chicago, Illinois founded Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, a national business and professional women’s organization. The sorority was established to offset the results caused by the great depression and to add prestige to career businesswomen and the field of business.
Mrs. E. Coleman Lockhart, Southern Regional Director, established the Southwestern Region. In July 1936, Psi Chapter was chartered as the first chapter in the Southwestern Region. Psi Chapter has continued the vision of Mrs. Parker by maturing into a chapter that stimulates, motivates and fosters growth of its membership while volunteering services throughout the metroplex. The mission is to make available our time, talent and resources to provide quality programs and community services that enhance chapter visibility, increase membership and sustain a model of global leadership in the Southwestern Region.
