The Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Ms. Betty J Tilman

The Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Ms. Betty J Tilman

The Community Is Invited to Celebrate the Life and Legacy of Ms. Betty J. Tilman at the University of Pittsburgh's Heinz Chapel at 9:00 am sharp on Friday, October 7th, 2022.  Please feel free to wear your finest ethnic attire attire  and/or bright colors. 

In the African Tradition the Celebration will begin with Oba Elie Kihonia, Dr. Buba Misawa, Rev. Dr. Ahmed Sheriff, and Friends.  They will open the morning with a Processional, a Ceremonial and Blessing and a Prayer. 

International performance artist and writer, Ms. Kim El, is Master of Ceremonies. Rev. Deryck Tynes international recording artist is Music Director and will also offer a musical selection. There will be performances by international vocalist Rev. Rose Johnson-Thompson, Dr. James Johnson and Mrs. Pam Johnson, James Pamela Johnson (Co-Founders Afro American Music Institute).  The GRANDE FINALE Performance: Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika will be led by Oba Elie Kihonia , International Performance Artist, Founder/CEO AFRICA YETU & UMOJA Arts Company. 

There will also a presentation of "Memories of Ms. Betty J. Tilman" spoken by 92-year-old Mrs. Carrie McCray as told to her son Steven Mccray by Rev. Melony McGant and reknown actor Charles E. Timbers, Jr., accompanied by Rev. Deryck Tynes, and a special unveiling of a portrait of Ms. Betty J Tilman created by fine artist Brandon Jennings Bran Que. 

 The Celebration of Life and Legacy of Ms. Betty J Tilman has a host of friends and community leaders who will celebrate, pay tribute to Ms. Tilman.  This includes (in no particular order) The Honorable Ed Gainey, Ms. Kati Csoman, Director, University of Pittsburgh Nationality Rooms, Dr. William Tita, Retired Professor, Northeastern University; University of Pittsburgh School of Business; Director of the Intercultural House. Attorney  Martha Richards Conley,  University of Pittsburgh Law School Alumni Dr. Jerry McKinney, Retired Professor, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Buba Misawa, University of Pittsburgh Alumni; Professor; Washington & Jefferson College, Professor Jerry Dickinson, Ms. Regina Chow Regina McPhie Mr. Melvin Hubbard El, Community Advisor to the Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh, Ms. Shirley Scott, University of Pittsburgh Alumni, Mr. Walt Hales, Retired Business Owner, Executive and Product Developer & Activist, Mr. Thomas Brooks, President, African American Alumni Council (AAAC), University of Pittsburgh, Honorable Oscar Petite Jr. J.D., Pennsylvania Magisterial District Judge, African Heritage Classroom Committee Supporter, Mr. Carlton Scott,Chair, African Heritage Classroom Committee/Nationality Rooms, University of Pittsburgh; Executive Director, Intercultural House. 

Attendance for the Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Ms. Betty J. Tilman is free.  Please RSVP.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-celebration-of-the-life-and-legacy-of-ms-betty-j-tilman-tickets-409560345017

Mrs. Donna Baxter Porcher is our social media Director and will be streaming Facebook Live the Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Ms. Betty J Tilman. To watch on on October 7th, please go to our Facebook Event Page.

THANKS to those of you who have already made your contributions to the African Heritage Classroom Committee Scholarship Fund IN MEMORY OF Ms. Betty J. Tilman. 

Donations to the African Heritage Room Committee Scholarship can be made online by visiting www.nationalityrooms.pitt.edu and select the About button at the top left and then select Donate to the Nationality Rooms!  

To donate by check, make the check payable to the University of Pittsburgh and mail to: University of Pittsburgh, PO Box 640093, Pittsburgh, PA  15264-0093.  Donations online and in the check memo line can be notated as: African Heritage Room Committee Scholarship in memory of Ms. Betty J. Tilman.  

More information can be found here: https://www.nationalityrooms.pitt.edu/opportunities/scholarships/african-heritage-room-committee-scholarship-undergraduate

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