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SICKLE CELL & GIESTS “MEET
THE BROWMS”
In Our 24th Year Issue No. 1948 October 2006 www.theacphoenix.com Associate Consultants
MRS.VELMA
miENDE... WHAT’S
IN A NAME
Mrs. Velma H. Friende has been
called many things by many people dur
ing her lifetime. She has fondly been
referred to as “Honey” by members of
her family and closest acquaintances;
“my French teacher” by many students
who continue to hold her in high esteem;
that “pretty teacher” at Atkins High
School by former male students who are
only a few years younger than she; “my
guidance counselor” by local youth who
have gone on to become doctors and
lawyers through her guidance and men
torship; “my Bennett sister” by Bennett
Bells across the country; “my church
member” by members of St Paul United
Methodist Church and “my soror” by
members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority.
Perhaps the most befitting moniker
for her as it relates to the Winston-Salem
Urban League is encapsulated in her last
name. For more than fifty years, Mrs.
Serving the Triad FREE
Tamela Mann, Gladys Ashe Robinson
Over 300 Supporters of Sickle Cell
Disease Association of the Piedmont
arrived at the Airport Marriott, Monday
night, September 18th, for the
agency’s 36th Annual Banquet to
spend a “Night Out with the Browns.”
Polo Ralph Lauren presented Sickle
By Sidney Harris
Cell Executive
Director, Gladys
Robinson with a
$10,000 contribu
tion in support of
the mission of the
agency. Khalif
Temple #144, also
presented an
$11,000 contribu
tion from proceeds
of their annual golf
tournament to Mrs.
Robinson for client
services at SCDAP.
Rev. Odell
Cleveland gave the
invocation and ban
quet attendees enjoyed a salad, with
an entree of baked salmon, baked
chicken with smashed potatoes,
squash and zucchini, dinner rolls, ice
tea and an array of desserts.
Continued on Page 22
and David Mann
SISTER LATEEEAH RAZZAK: A WIEE, MOTHER AND ERIEND
By Rodney Sumler
Sister Lateefah Razzak, the mother of Asim
Evans was not just an ordinary woman; she was an
extra-ordinary virtuous woman. The lives of many
were touched by her love, compassion and humble
spirit. She was born March 14, 1947 and attended
the old Carver School, grades 1 thru 12. Reared by
her grandmother and aunt, her Christian name was
Yolanda Marie Glenn. An educator for 30 years, she
continued to teach at her Home-going Celebration. It
was the first time Winston-Salem had witnessed a
Islam funeral. She was a woman who always
pleased the Lord; He made even her adversaries to
be at peace with her.
Asim Razzak (Willie Pearson, Jr.) was the apple of
her eye. Their love for each other began in the 6th
grade at Carver School. She was to fulfill her role as
a wife; Lateefah unselfishly gave all that she could to
her marriage. She supported her super-star college
athlete during his collegiate years. She was with him
while he played pro-football with the Miami Dolphins.
She was there with him during his career ending
injuries. A woman of action. Sister Razzak tirelessly
made time to cook and prepare dinners to raise funds
for the Mosque and MGT (Muslin Girls Training). She
was a captain in the MGT. Sister Razzah was an
excellent cook. I especially loved her banana bread.
Brother Asim would bring the bread she would send
to me, and I
always told
him, I must
have
Lateefah’s
best. Don’t try
to fool me with
a substitute
and keep the
best for your
self. Asim
loved his
wife’s cooking.
Seven-
eieven was a
blessed com
bination of
numbers for
Sister
Lateefah.
There were 4
sisters and 3 boys in the Glenn family and 7 boys and
4 girls in the Pearson family. Lateefah, the Pearson
and Razzak families are role models for how
Christians and Muslims can love each other and
respect the fact that there is but one God of the
Universe. Blessed are they that keep God’s ways.
Sister Razzak loved her mother and father-in-law.
She witnessed and shared in knowledge the Pearson
family’s study of Holiness and Methodist (Mother
Continued on Page 12
Lateefah Razzak
VOTE • EA.RLV • VOTE
Velma Friend
Friende as been a “friend” not only to the
local affiliate but to the National Urban
League Movement.
For anyone browsing through the
numerous boxes of memorabilia
collected by the League depicting
agency events and activities, it is not
uncommon to find Mrs. Friende’s smiling
Continued on Page 7
INSIDE
■ ■ ■
NBA Star Josh Howard
Gives Back
. .6
T-CAL
Endorses
“Failure Free Reading’
for Tutoring
Services
. .7
The Carter G.Woodson
School of Challenge
Honors Lateefah
Razzak
. .8
The Big Four, It’s
Amazing
. .9
Ms. Mac
Goes to
Color Purple
.22
Make Yourselt
Happy
.42