Founding Member, Joyce Flowers
Our Chapter History
THE FOUNDERS + CHARTER MEMBERS: On a Saturday afternoon in 1992, three alumni, Remitha Brooks, Hattie Hedgepeth, and Joyce Flowers came together to discuss the idea of organizing a Chapter of the North Carolina Central University Alumni Association (NCCUAA) that would represent Alumni from the Bronx and Manhattan. Based on information from the Alumni Directory and other data from the University, they proceeded to encourage interest from Alumni. After many phone calls and meetings, the Bronx-Manhattan Chapter was organized.
Established in 1993 and chartered by the National Alumni Association on November 16, 1996, a group of sixteen Bronx and Manhattan Alumni came together and pledged to promote the University, to promote camaraderie among graduates, and to assist in developing resources that would enable the students who desired to attain a higher level of learning from North Carolina Central University. The 16 charter members of the organization were: Rahesha Amon, Nora Barnes, Remitha Brooks, Raymond Bunch, Earl Davis, Robert Faison, Joyce Flowers, James Hayes, Hattie Hedgepeth, Joyce Hightower, Ola Hightower, William Motley, Naomi Randall, Marjorie Steele, Vivian Tate, and Elizabeth Wood. The first President was Rahesha Amon (1993-1995). Other officers included Ola Hightower, Vice President; Remitha Brooks, Treasurer; Hattie Hedgepeth, Secretary; Vivian Tate, Program Chair; and Council Representative, Robert Faison.
THE MERGING OF THREE NEW YORK CHAPTERS:
When the NCCUAA chartered the Bronx-Manhattan Chapter, two other chapters existed in New York State, the Hudson Valley Chapter and the Queens Long Island Chapter. After 20-plus years of service to the Association, the Queens Long Island Chapter voted to bring its membership to the Bronx-Manhattan Chapter. In the mid 2000’s, the Bronx-Manhattan Chapter and the Queens Long Island Chapter merged to become the New York City Metropolitan Chapter of the NCCU Alumni Association. Our goal was to better promote the University and support its efforts to acquire resources to assist students to achieve their academic goals. In 2024, Regional Vice President Dwayne Houston and Chapter President Dalia Davies Flanagan worked to officially incorporate the New York City Metropolitan Chapter with the New York State government.
ELECTED OFFICIALS:
Elected President in 1995, Joyce Flowers served in the role until 2010 when Sojourner Greer was elected. Greer held the presidential position until 2019. In Fall 2019, members of the New York City Metropolitan Chapter elected Kian Brown to serve in the role of president. He served until 2020, when he was elected the National Vice President of the NCCUAA. Sojourner Greer, again, assumed the role of president and served until the Chapter elected Ericka Mohammed in 2021. In Summer 2024, Dalia Davies Flanagan was elected the seventh President of the chapter, who worked on increasing membership through creating a digital online presence.
Others who served as officers are Henrietta Stewart, Secretary; Elizabeth Wood, Treasurer; Atlee Roberts and Elsie Atwell, Parliamentarian. Of the original sixteen Charter members, Nora Barnes, Robert Faison, Joyce Flowers, Evelyn Turner, Lloyd Harrison, Mae McPhail, Sojourner Greer, Dolores Brinkley, Virginia Hawkins, Julius C. Jones, Marquitta Pope, and Malikh Ifill remain active in the New York City Metropolitan Chapter. Some members have relocated to other parts of the country and joined other Chapters; others have transitioned, and a few have taken time off due to health issues. Members of the NYC Metropolitan Chapter hold life membership in the North Carolina Central University Alumni Association: Nora Barnes, Dolores Brinkley, Joyce Flowers, and Margaret Mack.
OUR MISSION + ACHIEVEMENTS:
To raise funds, the New York City Metropolitan Chapter has sponsored events such as dinner dances, luncheons, stay-at- home teas, art auctions, and raffles. We began sponsoring our annual Day at the Races in 2011. To date, the Chapter has raised thousands of dollars to support scholarships available to New York City residents who attend NCCU. In addition, we have provided first-year students and continuing students Book Scholarships once a year. Members of the Chapter often serve as recruiters for the University by attending College Fairs held at various locations in New York: Madison Square Garden, Coop City (the Bronx), and Riverbank State Park (Harlem).
In addition to working to achieve the business objectives of the Chapter, the NYC Metropolitan Chapter hosts activities that allow members to come together at social events such as the Holiday Luncheon held annually in December. Also, every year, during Black History Month, the Chapter members enjoy going to a Luncheon at a Black-owned restaurant. Often members and other Alumni enjoy themselves by attending a ‘Watch Party’ at a bar/restaurant such as Harlem Tavern to cheer for the Eagles at a football game. In December of 2021, members of the Chapter supported North Carolina Central University (along with Howard University, Hampton University, and North Carolina A&T University) by attending the INVESCO QQQ/Michael B. Jordan HBCU Legacy Basketball Classic held at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Members also attend the HBCU SpringComing Festival held at Riverbank State Park in North Manhattan.