Lamman Rucker, Shirley Strawberry Encourage Scholars at National Black MBA Atlanta Chapter Luncheon

Lamman Rucker, Shirley Strawberry Encourage Scholars at National Black MBA Atlanta Chapter Luncheon
NBMBAA Atlanta Chapter president Charmaine Ward (left); and director of programs, Kimberly Byer-Clark present an award of appreciation to luncheon keynote speaker Lamman Rucker

The National Black MBA Association Atlanta Chapter held it 27th Annual Scholarship Luncheon on Friday, Nov. 11 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. More than $15,000 in scholarships were presented to high school, undergraduate, MBA and Ph.D. students for their outstanding achievements.


This year’s luncheon them was “PowerUp Your Education!” The Atlanta Chapter also recognized their corporate partners and the Emory University Goizueta School of Business as the “Education Partner of the Year.”


“We’re excited to be here and excited to have you here with us. This event is not possible without our corporate partners. All that we do is about scholarships, focus on education, professional development, career development and, of course, entrepreneurship, which is generating wealth for today and for future generations,” offers Charmaine Ward, president of the Atlanta Chapter of the NBMBAA. “We have over 1,500 financial members in the Atlanta Chapter, which is unheard of in the history of the NBMBAA. There has never been a chapter to exceed 1,000 members. It’s 1,523 to be exact!”

The keynote address was delivered by actor Lamman Rucker, who delivered a thoughtful and inspirational speech to the students titled “Going Over and Above the Call of Duty.” Shirley Strawberry, radio personality and co-host of “The Steve Harvey Morning Show,” served as mistress of ceremonies.


This year’s scholarship winners included  Leaders of Tomorrow recipients Darius Green, Lovejoy High School; Markell Green, Lovejoy High School; Danstavious Zachery and Carver School of Early College; undergraduate student Chris Ortega, Morehouse College; graduate students Katie Walton, Clark Atlanta University; Olaterera Majekodunmi, Emory Unversity; Michael Hollingsworth, University of Georgia; and Carla Armstrong, Emory University; and Ph.D. candidate Wayne Nesbit, University of Georgia.

Since 1982, the NBMBAA’s Scholarship Program has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships. –yvette caslin

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