DST 2010 Jabberwock Contestants

In March of this year, nine high school young ladies will be presented into society during the annual Delta Sigma Theta Jabberwock Ball. All nine young ladies come from vast backgrounds and attend some of our local prestigious high schools. The Jabberwock Ball is presented by the Delta Sigma Theta Kansas City, Kansas Alumnae chapter. The photos below were taken in our studio.

A few of the DST Jabberwock committee

A special commemorative magazine cover I created.

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DST 2010 Jabberwock Contestants

Six-Year Thank You | Never Give Up

Early this morning, I received an unexpected email via our website that personally gave me a chill and warmed my heart at the same time. All I can say is that you never know who appreciates your self-worth, your passion, your dedication and commitment. When times get tough, we can always refer to personal comments such as these.

A contact form was submitted at your site. Here is the information received:

~Comments: I just wanted to say that I'm still getting raving compliments on my wedding photo album. It's great to see that your talent has continued to bring you the success that you have earned. Keep up the good work, and know that way back from 2004 at a wedding held at Greater Pentecostal Temple you took pictures that I'm still proud of today.

How_did_you_hear_about_us: My wedding in 2004

Event_date: Event date

Best_time_to_call: Best time to call

Phone: Phone

Name: Tyra Smith

send_email: sam@royalphotokc.com

Thank you Tyra. Believe it or not, I remember you and your May 29, 2004 wedding very well. You were living in Atlanta before coming to Kansas City for your wedding. Your comments couldn't have come at a better time. I'm learning that God is always watching over us and will send us confirmations to never doubt the blessings He has given us but most importantly to continue pressing forward. God has continued to bless me, my family and consistently allows me to use the craft of photography to impact the people we meet. I am humbled everyday on when I started in the wedding photography business to the place I am today. He has remained faithful and ALWAYS proves to me - when I begin to doubt - to never give up and turn my back on His precious gift.

It is my purpose and driving spirit to document incredible new beginnings in the lives we touch and I'm grateful that your wedding album is still a joy to your heart.

Thank you Tyra again for inspiring me. ◦

Six-Year Thank You | Never Give Up

SCLC | Write the Vision, Make it Plain, Run With It!

At least a thousand people packed the Friendship Baptist Church Monday evening to participate in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2010 Holiday Celebration sponsored by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). In previous years, the birthday celebration was held at the St. Stephen Baptist Church.

Rev. James A. Terrance Jr., who is pastor of Friendship Baptist, was the keynote speaker. There is no doubt that he is a man of God and anointed with the Holy Spirit. I took over 300 images that evening and every photo gave me chills. If you wasn't there, let's just say Dr. King himself had to shout. Rev. Terrance preached!

Temple of Praise Dancers ~ Trinity Temple Church of God in Christ

Rev. James A. Terrance, Jr., Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church and keynote speaker

Dr. Michael Charles renders a music tribute towards Dr. King.

Past KC Mayor Dick Berkley attends the SCLC Dr. King Mass Rally every year.

Friendship Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir

New Generation and Thirst for Christ Choir

From left: Rev. Robert Lee Hill, Rev. James A. Terrance Jr., and Rev. Nelson "Fuzzy" Thompson

Sen. Mary Bland and Rep. Sara Lampe

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SCLC | Write the Vision, Make it Plain, Run With It!

SCLC Urban Summit

Kansas City held their third annual Urban Summit at the Paseo Academy of Arts and Sciences on Saturday morning. Just before the Urban Summit took place, I was able to get a few snap shots from the live weekly broadcast of "Generation Rap" on the KPRS HOT 103 Jamz radio station in one of the school hallway atrium's. Their featured guest speaker was a local Haitian businessman whom spoke about his country, what he's doing to assist his country, his views on the U.S. relief efforts and what local KC teens can do to help the thousands of Haitians victims in Tuesday's horrific earthquake.

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SCLC Urban Summit

SCLC Youth Leadership Workshop

As a photographer every so often I get a chance to meet celebrities. Friday, I got a chance to meet award-winning journalist, social activist and political commentator, Jeff Johnson. He was the guest speaker at the SCLC Youth Leadership Conference at the Kauffman Foundation. Jeff rendered a POWERFUL message challenging high school seniors from the greater Kansas City area to eagerly think about what they want to achieve in life, who their role models are and how they are going to achieve their goals. Most importantly, don't waste their life but live with purpose.

From left: Arlana Coleman, Jeff Johnson, Debra Hogan, Dacia Moore, and Luvenia Husky
Dacia with a group of youth who participated in her workshop class.

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SCLC Youth Leadership Workshop

SCLC 2010 Black Achievers Awarded

Congratulations to the 2010 SCLC of Greater Kansas City Black Achievers!

Eleven prestigious people were awarded Thursday evening by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas at the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank for their leadership in the community. Al Wallace, Sports Anchor of FOX-4 was the master of ceremonies.

I've never been at the Federal Reserve Bank before and it's a beautiful building. Because I am a wedding photographer, it could be a wonderful venue for a wedding reception. (hint, hint). However, I'm sure the Federal Government wouldn't allow it but you never know.

The honorees are listed below.

Back row - from left:

• James Drew, Call Center Coordinator Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City
• Harrison May, I.T. Project Manager II Hallmark Cards, Inc.
• Emanuel McCrainey, Director Human Resources Farmland Foods, Inc.
• Arthur Glass, Senior Manager - Applications Development Sprint
• Mark Evans, Manager - Sports Marketing/Sponsorship Sprint
• Darie A. Shellner, Director of Security Truman Medical Center, Inc.
• Dr. Joe Seabrooks, Jr., President Metropolitan Community College

Front row - from left:

• M. Lynne Moore, Shift Leader - Fairfax Assembly Body Shop General Motors
• Sandra Rogers, Director - Supply Chain Management Center Honeywell FM&T
• Rev. Nelson "Fuzzy" Thompson, President SCLC of Greater Kansas City (not a recipient)
• Cynthia Johnson, Superintendent of Stores Kansas City Board of Public Utilities
• Patrice Townsend, KPPAE, Key Accountant Utility Specialist Kansas City Board of Public Utilities

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SCLC 2010 Black Achievers Awarded

SCLC Community Luncheon

Tuesday afternoon was another busy day for us.

Papa Lew's Restaurant in mid-town Kansas City has a rich heritage of giving back to the community. Tuesday afternoon, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City (SCLC) held their annual Community Luncheon at the Marriott Hotel – Downtown and Marvin & Doris Lyman, owners of Papa Lew's Restaurant received the 2010 Community Service Award. The guest speaker for the luncheon was Dr. Molly T. Marshall, President of Central Baptist Theological Seminary. Approximately 300 guests attended the luncheon.

Below are a few images from the event.

Tonight, I will be at the SCLC Black Achievers Reception where a select few of our KC leaders will be honored for their service to the community and the workforce. Stay tuned for photos from there as well. I'm trying my best to keep the BLOG updated with all the events leading up to the Martin Luther King Jr. 2010 Holiday Celebration. If I get behind...please be patient with me.

Talk to you soon!

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SCLC Community Luncheon

SCLC Interfaith Service

Sunday evening I was present to photograph the SCLC Interfaith Service at the Community Christian Church in the downtown Plaza district. This is SCLC's annual service in preparation of the Greater Kansas City Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration. Religious faiths of all sorts come together to partake in a message from a featured speaker and witness certain distinguished persons receive the "Evelyn Wasserstrom Award." This year's guest speaker was Rev. Dr. Zan W. Holmes, Jr., Pastor Emeritus of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church - Dallas, TX. The recipient of the 2010 Evelyn Wasserstrom Award was the Honorable Rep. Sara Lampe. She is a Missouri House District 138 elected official.

There will be other daily SCLC photo highlights coming - stay tuned.

Rev. Dr. Nelson "Fuzzy" Thompson, guest speaker - Rev. Dr. Zan W. Holmes, Jr., and Rev. Robert Hill

Men of the SCLC Youth Choir rendering a song.
The Wild Women of Kansas City

Wild Women of Kansas City render a song.

Rev. Dr. Nelson "Fuzzy" Thompson; Judy Hellman; 2010 Evelyn Wasserstrom Award winner - Rep. Sara Lampe; and Michael Abrams

Rev. Dr. Nelson "Fuzzy" Thompson; Judy Hellman; Rep. Sara Lampe; Rabbi Alan Cohen

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SCLC Interfaith Service

SCLC Sprint Artist Tribute | Lisa McClendon in KC

Despite the cold, cold weather here in Kansas City, several hundred young adults were warmed with good ol' contemporary gospel music Saturday evening at the UMKC Spencer Theater.

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Sprint and UMKC, hosted their annual 'Sprint Artist Tribute' Saturday evening. This is the first of many events that I will be photographing as KC leads up to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s national holiday. The Kansas City Boys and Girls Choir of Greater Kansas City, UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance Ensembles, and Soul Serenade featuring Mia Ramsey all performed on stage. The guest of honor was national gospel recording artist, Lisa McClendon. Lisa sang several hit songs from her new CD including her hit single, "Pause" as well as "Holy". You gotta check her out! After the concert, Lisa stayed after to sign autographs and take pictures with hundreds of children, young adults and parents.

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SCLC Sprint Artist Tribute | Lisa McClendon in KC