Town Tributes
Bejeweled Glory
The coronation ball of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club Inc. took place in the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center with thousands of guests on hand to applaud King Zulu Elect Nicholls "Nick" Spears and Queen Zulu Select Dr. Christy Lagarde Spears, his spouse. Their official titles were realized when the 2022 queen and king, Crystal Monique Guillemet and Randolph M. Davis, crowned them in turn.
The 2023 Zulu king’s maid was Miss Deja Reneé Rawles, and that of her majesty Dr. Spears, Miss Mariah Janaé Stevens. Additional court maids were Misses Imani Watson, Asiah Richards, Jasmine Marie Mulder, Tyler Monique Hankton, Gabrielle Washington, Yanci Willene Robertson, Elizabeth Irene Burke, Kayli Iman Craft, Troynyah Hankton, Malae Michele Rhodes, Mariah Michelle Lee, Demi Imani Adams, Trinity Reia Payton, Kaiden Amaya Dye and Sanaa Frazier.
Also, Misses Paris Patrice Jacque-Robertson, Jaelyn Anaya Ganier, Brooklyn Jasmine Williams, Chloe Andrell Thomas, Kelsea Louper, Kourtlyn Camille Eaddy, Elan Cheri Burrell, Carsyn McKenzie Caldwell, KaiVal A. Howard, Charli Asia Jones, Sarah Rose Walton, Karrington Chanel Eaddy, Skylar Maryellen Kelly, Autumn Aaliyah Caldwell, Amyia’ Dymond Howard, Kim Ann Devezin, Damari K. Harris, Cami A. Davis and A’Yiana Lanay Flemings.
Also important to the coronation ball, titled “Precious Jewels of Zululand,” were Zulu President Elroy A. James and Messrs. Jefferson Reese Sr., Dennis Robertson Jr., Clifton Jones, Clarence A. Becknell Sr., Marion Floyd, Keith Griffin, Lawrence Jones, Rodney P. Mason Jr., Damon Dedeaux, Curtis Elmore, Elvis Joseph, Charles Medley, Firmin Mitchell, Reginald White, Nia Spears, Nicholls Spears Jr., Bryce Spears, Barrin Davis, Ruben DeTiege, Ronald Johnson, Melvin Labat, Jermaine Leban, Patrick Leboeuf, Troy Lacabe, Jay May, Ruffin Mitchell, Byron Mercier, Harold Montgomery, James Norwood, Robert Points, Brian Pollard, Jackie Robinson, Cornel Rowel Sr., James Sterling, Greg St. Julien and Frank Taylor.
Also, Shawn Atkins, Kevin Matthews, Travis Moore, Michele Lagarde-May, Ke’Wanda Bell, Frenchell Clements, Winnie Hellestine, Kelly LeBoeuf, Miera Moore, Catina Peoples, Dana Ray, Angelique Valteau, Damita Williams, Christopher Briscoe, Zaire Hellestine, Avery May, Jay May Jr. and Marley Spears.
The many attendees admired the finery of the court, especially that of King and Queen Zulu, who were magnificently attired. As for the musical finery, it was by recording artists Midnight Star, Lloyd, Anthony Hamilton, DJ Jubilee, Choppa, Mia X, and Partners in Crime, who entertained a crowd of 25,000 guests.
Men about Town
Townsmen Inc. held its 69th Dansant at the Omni Royal Orleans with music, a host of guests, delicious food (beef, turkey, ham and pasta), beverages and fine fellowship. Among the guests were Judge and Mrs. Omar Mason, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Tregre, Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Piper Griffin, City Council member Eugene Green, New Orleans Public Schools Superintendent Avis Williams, Dr. and Mrs. Joe Ricks, Mr. Howard L. Rodgers IV and Dr. Lovie Lewis Rodgers, and the Marlin Gusmans, the David Bocages, the Joseph Shorters, the Merlin Gilyots, the Keith Dawsons, the Bruce Browns, the Troy Henrys and the Cornelius Lewises.
Norman Robinson presided over the call out of club members and their ladies. Prayers were offered for ill members.
Stepping forward as president was Charles Rice, who was joined by his wife, Vonda. Additional officers were vice president Albert Ely Edwards II with Dantrelle, secretary Howard L. Rodgers III with Belinda, treasurer Walter Wright with Sonya Kennedy, Dansant chairman Jonathan Wilson with Erica, and chaplain Dr. Anthony Decuir with Saraphine.
Also enjoying the members’ merriment were Justin Augustine, Earl Brown and Michele, Dr. Emmett Chapital and Jovita, Michael Dukes and Sylvia, Bryan Fulton and Conchetta, Dr. Eric Griggs and Danielle, Richard Jackson and Andrea, Ronald Johnson and Vonyotta, Ernest Legier and Kelly, Charles Kennedy with Laura Lipps, Darrel Sazian and Shaun, Ron Sholes and Valerie, Ronald Stevens and Terri, Jeffery Thomas and Zolee, and Woodrow J. Wilson and Paulette. Leon Fulton and Wayne E. Wright are emeritus members.
After the call out, the members held the traditional club waltz under the musicianship of the Clark Knighten Band. A second line followed with the guests joining in. More dancing filled the balance of the evening, when the popular beat brought the crowd to its feet.