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Vol.xxxvillNo.44 WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. THURSDAY, June 28, 2012
Union University Photo
Fred Luter Jr. has made SBC history.
Historic
election
applauded
by locals
BY TODD LUCK
THE CHRONICLE
History was made last week as the
Southern Baptist Convention elected Rev. Fred
Luter Jr. as its president, making him the first
African-American leader of the largely white
organization.
Gilliam
Honeycutt
luici, pasiui ui
Franklin Avenue Baptist
Church in New Orleans,
La., managed to grow
his inner-city congrega
tion to 7,000 members,
making it one of
Louisiana's largest
churches. The church
and its congregation
were devastated by
Hurricane Katrina. All
but 50 to 60 members of
the church were dis
placed and Franklin
Avenue was heavily
damaged.
Luter led the
church's restoration
efforts. Franklin Avenue
reopened in 2008 and
has rebuilt a strong con
gregation of 5,000.
Luter's election is
significant considering
the Southern Baptist
Convention s racially-tinged history. It was
founded 1845 after splitting with Northern
Baptists over the issue of slavery. The organi
zation, which boasts a membership of 16 mil
lion, was once a largely segregated and all
white denomination. Black Baptists in the
South set up their own smaller associations
such as the ^National Baptist Convention.
The Southern Baptists tried to make
amends in 1995 by adopting a resolution of
racial reconciliation.
"It's a very powerful symbol and an impor
See SBC on A2
Daughter, mother spend
evening with the Obamas
BY LAYLA GARMS
THE CHRONICLE
City native Robin Hunt and her mother
Elvita Hunt won the chance to hobnob with
the President, First Lady and entertainment
industry A-listers.
They attended the June 14 fundraiser
that actress Sarah Jessica Parker hosted
President Obama at her New York City
home. The $40,000-a-plate affair was not
only attended by the Obamas, but notables
like Aretha Franklin, designer Kenneth
Cole and Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna
Wintour, who co-hosted the event.
Obama supporters who make donations
to his '12 reelection campaign are regularly
entered into contests that give everyday
donors a chance to attend high-dollar
fundraising events.
Robin Hunt, who now lives in Baltimore
where she works at Johns Hopkins Health
System, said she had all but forgotten about
the contest when she received a call inform
ing her that she had won.
"At first I thought they were kidding - It
See Hunts on A7
Organizing for America Photo
Robin and Elvita Hunt pose with (from left) Sarah Jessica Parker, President Obama, Michelle
Obama and Anna Wintour.
Newbies
City at W-S Photo
The ranks of the Winston-Salem Fire Department increased last week with the
graduation of its latest class of recruits. The new firefighters are: (from left,
first row) David Navarro, Danielle Edwards, (second row) Cody Rierson,
(third row) Zachari McFarland, Raven Byrd, (fourth row) Philip York,
Brandon Rierson, Drew Shelton, (fifth row) James Brinkley, Adam Gajewski,
(back row) Jonathan Rumley, Stephen Stafford and David Heck.
Our Town, Our Story
Museum dedicated to local history, culture
BY TODD LUCK
THE CHRONICLE
Local history is on display quite literally at the New Winston Museum,
which opened its doors earlier this month.
The Museum, 713 S. Marshall St., is currently
using photos and video interviews to illustrate local
history from the 1850s to present day. It's the first
museum that documents the city's history since the
Winston-Salem Museum closed in 1979 as a result of
lack of funds. There has been an effort afoot for years
to create another museum to tell Winston-Salem's sto
ried history, according to Museum Interim Director
Rebecca Fuller, who believes that museums that illus
trate a city's shared history have the power to bring
Fuller
communities closer together.
"(Museums show) how interesting a community is and how a commu
See Museum on A3
Pboto by Ibdd Luck
A video featuring the late Rev. Dr. Jerry and Mrs. Drayton
plays in the New Winston Museum.
Photos. by Layla Oarms
Azilee Majett holds photos of her two sons, the late
Monte Evans (left) and Reginald Evans.
Majett facing
sunset of life
with courage
BY LAYLA GARMS
THE CHRONICLE '
Azilee Majett is preparing for the trip of a lifetime.
After courageously battling a deadly form of breast
cancer for the last four years, Majett is looking forward
to some much needed rest and relaxation. She and her
daughter, Stephanie Evans, and her eight-year-old grand
son, Steven will travel to Orlando, Fla. from July 10-14
to visit Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Universal
Muaios.
"I can meet my childhood
friends," Majett said with a wide
smile. "I'm giving Mickey a big
ol' hug."
The trip was made possible
by the Santa Barbara, Calif. -
based Dream Foundation, which
grants final wishes to adults. The
Washington, D.C.-bom Majett,
who grew up in Winston-Salem,
has been under Hospice care
since March.
Evans
iviajett saia sne is going 10
rediscover her childhood at Disney World.
"I'm gonna do it up," said the great-grandmother of
three. "1 can find my inner child that I lost so long ago."
Evans, a personal care assistant, said she is also look
ing forward to the trip.
"We're hardworking poor people that really can't
afford the luxury of getting up and going someplace like
Disney World, so we're really blessed to go," said Evans.
"1 just wish that we would've made the trip under differ
ent circumstances."
In 2009, Majett had a brief hiatus from the treatments
and surgeries that had been her life for a solid year. In
See Majett on A3
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