ECSU Announces Inaugural 40 Under 40 Society Honorees
The Elizabeth City State University Office of Alumni Relations announces the inaugural honorees of the 40 Under 40 Society. The 40 Under 40 Society represents a select group of young alumni for outstanding achievement and leadership.
The purpose of the 40 Under 40 Society is to honor and engage 40 Elizabeth City State University young Viking Alumni who are making strides in their careers, contributions to their communities, or impressions on the ECSU campus and beyond.
Honorees have met seven criteria areas:
1) Earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from ECSU;
2) Be under 40 as of Oct. 1, 2017;
3) Be willing to submit a headshot, if selected, that can be published by units within Elizabeth City State University;
4) Aspire to uphold the principles manifested in ECSU’s core values;
5) Demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a lifelong relationship with ECSU;
6) Made a significant impact in their professional, civic, personal, and/ or philanthropic endeavors; and
7) Be committed to raising $1,000 to support a special ECSU initiative to benefit current students.
These recipients, who were selected from among 60 candidates, have demonstrated significant accomplishments before the age of 40 in arts, entertainment, healthcare, sciences, education, business, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, public service or government.
“ECSU alumni are doing amazing work in virtually every field, but these 40 are special because they have achieved so much so early,” said John Michael Lee, Jr., Ph.D., vice chancellor for University Advancement. “This celebration recognizes their hard work and dedication as well as their outstanding accomplishments, which will inspire ECSU students and graduates for years to come.”
Included among ECSU’s 2017 Forty Under Forty awardees are nationally prominent educators, a judge, international research scientists and a music industry innovator who works with A-list celebrities.
ECSU created the Forty Under Forty Society to identify and engage high-achieving younger alumni who are well positioned to serve as advocates and ambassadors for the university.
The honorees are:
Ms. Shekeria Smith Barnes (2000) the first African American to become a staff member (assistant principal) of Socrates Academy Honor School off Excellence; and a motivational speaker through her organization, Simply Speak.
Mr. Emanuel L. Basnight Jr (2002) has contributed to the success of national and global brands as, most recently, the Senior Director of Strategy at Walton Isaacson in Chicago, Ilinois. His 15-year career in brand strategy has carried him to some of the country’s most provocative advertising agencies in New York, Atlanta and Chicago where he developed integrated brand and campaign strategies for companies such as Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Nissan, Sprite, Constellation Brands, Spalding, MillerCoors and Toyota.
Mr. Enoch D. Bond (2004) currently serves as the Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving for North Carolina Central University’s School of Law. He has also served as the Alumni Coordinator and Director of Annual Giving at NCCU.
Mr. Mike Brown (2009) is a dynamic and skilled Sales Manager with detailed experience and knowledge in the Auto Sales Industry. Michael’s proven talent has allowed Hendrick Toyota Of Apex to continue to be one of the top dealerships in the Carolina’s and top 50 in the country.
Cpt. Gregory Burgess (2003) was assigned to the 2174th Garrison Support Unit in Ft Eustis, Virginia as a Platoon Leader in 2007 where he spearheaded a special project at Fort Hunter Liggett, California. As a result of his dedication his FOB was considered the best out of two additional sites and as a result Greg was awarded an Army Commendation medal. In 2009 while serving with the 1st Battalion 311th Regiment 189th Infantry Brigade out of Richmond, Virginia, Greg supervised the training of over 550 soldiers, sailors, and airmen to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In April 2010 he transferred into the inactive ready reserve and is now a Claims Specialist for the Social Security Administration in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.
Mr. Bryce Lennon Carmichael (2009) is a geospatial support specialist for Department of Geography, Planning, and Sustainability at Rowan University. He also launched UnregisteredStyle.com, a personal style blog dedicated to fashion and personal style. Bryce also has a second blog, BryceLennon.com, which serves as a creative space for everything fashion, music, and lifestyle related.
Mr. Steven D. Carter (2009) serves as the Chief Executive Officer/Owner of SD Carter Enterprises, LLC. Through his passion for education and his zeal for entrepreneurship, Steven started and founded his very own health care agency, SD Carter Enterprises “Where Every Hand is A Helping Hand!” He took his love for special education and decided to expand it from a micro level to a macro level and provide residential supports for people with Intellectual Disabilities. He started his business in January of 2015 and now he serves several individuals across the Northern Virginia area.
Mr. Brandon La’Mont Cobb (2011) also known widely as DJ B-Owtt, is not only a DJ but also an entrepreneur, an entertainer, a scholar and a friend. He is the founder of Rock Hard Entertainment that started with a small family of eight entertainers but has grown since that time.
Ms. Lynell Patrese Coston (1999) became the Founder & CEO of O.A.S.I.S. Foundation of NC, a 501c3 organization. Eighteen months later, she founded O.A.S.I.S. Outreach, Inc., a sister organization. Both organizations are comprehensive, community-based organizations offering a multi-dimensional spectrum of services focused on motivating, stabilizing and transforming lives and our communities.
Dr. Peter M. Eley (2000) is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Middle Grades, Secondary and Special Subjects and current advisor for Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society at Fayetteville State University.
Ms. Charity M. Fisher (2008) was licensed in 2013 as an Evangelist in the Church of God In Christ, Inc. She is a member of Greater Revival Outreach Ministries Church of God In Christ, where her Father, Elder Armstead Fisher, is Pastor. Evangelist Charity Fisher serves as the church minister of music, Teen Sunday School teacher, and youth leader.
Mr. Jasper L. Fleming (2009) currently works in the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Department of Psychiatry. Jasper works with MCOs (Managed Care Organizations) to find funding to enhance the community programs that provide Mental Health assistances such as CTI (Critical Time Intervention), IPS Supported Employment and ACTT (Assertive Community Treatment Team).
Mr. Anthony B. Garrett (2010) has more than a decade of cross-industry experience in human resources, focused on employee and labor relations, staff recruitment, onboarding, retention, and training as well as conflict resolution, mediation, and coaching.
Mr. Julian Hoggard (2008) is working as a QMHP (Qualified Mental Health Professional) social worker for the Hampton Roads area. Julian also is a business owner for several companies based out of the Norfolk, Virginia, specializing in retail.
Mrs. Natasha Coley Holley (2003) is a licensed clinical social worker, licensed clinical addictions specialist, certified clinical supervisor, sex offender treatment specialist, and forensic evaluator. Natasha has served as the Clinical Director of Integrated Family Services, PLLC for the past 12 years and is the co-owner of this organization.
Mr. Oliver Andrew Holley (2001) currently serves as the Chief Human Resource Officer for the Perquimans County Schools District. His prior experience includes work as a Principal, Assistant Principal, Dean of Curriculum, and Dean of Students in the Northampton County Schools District.
Mr. Darrien J. Jerman (2008) is currently the Fraternity and Sorority Life Director and Deputy Title IX Manager at North Carolina Central University. In this role, Jerman oversees the operations of fifteen fraternities, sororities and social fellowships.
Mr. Jeremy T. Jones (2013) currently serves as the Deputy Sheriff with the Edgecombe County Sherriff’s Office.
Mr. Tremaine Kwasikpui (2008) currently serves as the Director of Student Activities at the University of Houston-Downtown(UHD).
Ms. Trequita D. Overton (1999) serves as Program Associate to Arthur M. Blank (owner of the Atlanta Falcons) through his family foundation. She has over 15 years of community relations, program development and brand management experience,
Mr. Brian Keith Phelps (2000) was appointed as the Washington County Clerk of Superior Court and ex-officio Judge of Probate, by The Honorable Wayland J. Sermons, Jr., Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for the Second Superior Court Judicial District of North Carolina.
Ms. Alysha K. Purvis (2013) is a Contract Specialist at the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, where she is responsible for the purchase of supplies and services through contracts for the USCG HH-65 Dauphin Helicopters.
Mrs. Glasher S. Robinson (2011) is entering into her sixth year as an educator with Guilford County Schools and is serving as an Administrative Intern at Allen Middle School (6-8) in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Mr. Lionel Ray Robinson (2010) is the first African American Executive Director of Outer Banks Sporting Events (OBSE) which is a 501c3 non-profit organization. He is directly responsible for creating an annual financial impact of nearly $10 million to the Outer Banks economy.
Mr. Lance N. Sanders (2011) is an 8th grade social studies teacher at Wellcome Middle School and high school football coach in Greenville, North Carolina.
Ms. Lia Scott (2012) is a Second Century Initiative Doctoral Candidate in Epidemiology at the School of Public Health at Georgia State University, working in the Atlanta Census Research Data Center to explore health disparities through spatial analysis and advanced statistical modeling.
Ms. Shakia O. Seabrook (2011) launched her own company, Bare.Bold&Beautiful, in 2013, focusing on strengthening the self-esteem of girls and women.
Ms. Jenelle Simpson (2002) works at Prince George’s Community College (Maryland) as a Higher Education professional with over 11 years in the area of Student Affairs. She is passionate about fostering student leaders and empowering them to discover their purpose, develop an educational path, and prepare for their future endeavors.
Ms. Courtney Slaughter (2014) works as a Clinical Oncology Research Coordinator at Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System. Courtney’s specialty areas of research are Gynecologic Oncology & Immunotherapy.
Ms. Ebony Sneed (2000) As a servant leader, Ebony has been involved locally as an advocate for child, education, and employment working with Durham Public Schools, Office of Economic and Workforce Development, and serving as a North Carolina Guardian ad Litem. She has worked vigorously in the criminal justice field to promote healthier lives and safer communities.
Ms. Alicia Nicole Clayvon Stokley (2014) fulfills her life’s purpose as a Coordinator of Student Life and Leadership at the College of The Albemarle where she helps students on their paths to success.
Mr. Mckinley Strother (2016) currently serves as the AM Producer for ETKR/WGNT News Channel 3 in Norfolk, Virginia.
Dr. Timothy C. Summers (2006) is a hacker, professor, author, frequent media commentator, TED speaker, and consulted expert. He is internationally recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on how hackers think, and “normal chaos.” Timothy is a trusted adviser and consultant to Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions, and governments worldwide. He specializes in the scholarship and practice of hacker cognitive psychology (the hacking mindset) and the normal chaos paradigm enabling him to advise organizations on handling uncertainty.
Ms. Illiana Thomas (2010 & 2012) is a junior talent agent for Urban Touring at ICSM Partners in California. She works with an exclusive client list including Kendrick Lamar, Future, Rae Sremmurd, SZA, Kehlani, Jhene Aiko, Anderson .Paak, The Internet, and many others.
Mr. Justin L. Waddell (2014) serves as an Enterprise Portfolio Analyst (CTR) for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of the Deputy Assistant For NextGen (ANG2).
Mr. Kevin Jemar Wade (2002) is a highly sought after International Corporate Image & Pageant Coach, SOLOpreneur, Lead Consultant, and Higher Education Administrator.
Dr. A’Lelianne Warren (2008) serves as the Project Director for the TRiO/Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) Program at Prince George’s Community College where she oversees a $1.5 million budget.
Dr. Jeremy Lionel Whidbee (2010) is a Pharmacy Clinical Services Manager in Greenville, North Carolina where he coordinates and conducts immunization clinics, provides education to staff and patients, and conducts medication reviews with patients.
Mr. Darrius Devon Wiggins (2003) is committed to the future prosperity of the Wake Forest-Rolesville region of Wake County.
He enjoys giving back through volunteer work with programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle, Boys And Girls Club Of Raleigh, Habitat for Humanity of Wake County, the North Raleigh area-chapter of the American Red Cross, Warmth for Wake, Kappa Alpha Psi Guide Right Program, The Levelle Moton and PJ Tucker Back To School Community Day as well as Raleigh-Durham-Wake Alumni Chapter of ECSU.
Ms. Canisha L. Young (2015) is the youngest and highest performing manager of two Enterprise Rent -a- Car branches in Durham, North Carolina. She has held the title and a seat in the Winner’s Circle for the NC Region EE.