Promotion Ceremony of Major Alonzo Crosby
DRAGON SPOTLIGHT
Kimberly S. Adams, Ph.D.
Dr. Kimberly S. Adams is a professor of political science and the managing director of Adams Political Research & Consulting. A longtime political activist who worked as an intern on Capitol Hill in two Congressional offices in the mid-1990’s. She has participated in intensive campaign training seminars on women and politics and grassroots mobilization. She is a veteran of numerous federal, state and local candidate and issue campaigns. In 2021, she was appointed to serve on the board of directors for the American Association for University Women (AAUW). In 2020, she was elected to serve on the national board for the National Organization for Women (NOW).
Dr. Adams' areas of teaching include American National Government, Women and Politics, Racial and Ethnic Politics, Political Parties, Political Communication, the Legislative Process, Senior Seminar, and Campaigns and Elections. Over the years, she has served as a faculty leader for the Osgood Center for International Studies and the Washington Center’s Presidential Inauguration and National Convention Programs. Early in her career, Adams taught American Government for the Junior Statesman Program on the campuses of Georgetown University and Yale University.
Dr. Adams received her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Political Science at the University of Southern Mississippi and her Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of Mississippi. She has a track record of success in publication and public speaking and served as a political analyst on national and local news programs. She has presented research and given over 95 talks domestically and internationally on women, race, and politics. She has presented her research at the Salzburg Seminar in Salzburg, Austria; the Oxford Round Table in Oxford, England; the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, in Australia; and has given a series of lectures at the University of Rijeka in Croatia. Other countries include Portugal, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Czech Republic, Italy, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. Her most recent presentation on the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act of 2022, was given at the Oxford Women’s Leadership Symposium’s virtual conference in March.
In November 2021, Dr. Adams received a certificate of completion on Mediation and Conflict Management from Harvard Law School’s Executive Education Program on Negotiation (PON). She is a member of numerous organizations including the National Conference of Black Political Scientists, the American News Women’s Club, the National Congress of Black Women, Inc, the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, the NAACP, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Dr. Adams is a charter member of the National Museum of African American History and Culture and serves on the national political action committee for the National Organization for Women (NOW PAC).
Adams graduated from R.H. Watkins high school in 1991, where she served as the student body president and a member of the basketball team. She is the daughter of Bonita Adams Seals and Richard M. Brown. and the maternal granddaughter of Hilda T. McGowen, and paternal granddaughter of Lauren and Katherine Brown, all of Laurel.
Rev. Ellie J. And Dr. Lucille (Page) Coleman
“Jesus Is The Way And The Way Is Through The Word”
Rev. Ellie J. Coleman (1968) is the founding pastor of Way Through The Word Ministry Church located in Gurnee, Il. He is married to First Lady, Dr. Lucille D. (Page) Coleman (1970). Together they are proud parents of six daughters, eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Rev. Coleman has been an ordained and licensed minister for nearly 30 years. During his time as an Associate Minister, Rev. Coleman graduated as Summa Cum Laude and earned his Associate and Bachelors of Arts Degrees in Religious Education from Bethany Bible College and Theological Seminary. He also served in various leadership positions such as Director of Christian Board of Education, Director of Baptist Training Union. Chairman of Laymen League, Chairman of Christian Board of Education, Instructor for Doctrinal Studies in Christian Education and various other opportunities.
Dr. Coleman is a registered nurse and retired college professor. She earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Jones County Community College, Bachelor of Science (Nursing Management), Alverno College, Masters of Science (Nursing Administration), DePaul University, and Doctorate of Education Degree, Northern Illinois University. Past member of Kappa Delta Pi. Before deciding teaching was her calling, she held various leadership positions such as Nursing Manager, Nursing Educational Coordinator, Interim Associate Chief of Nursing Education, and Interim Director of Nursing, Education. She was also a national and International Speaker, as well as, published literary works with the National Library of Congress.
Rev. and First Lady Dr. Coleman founded Way Through The Word Ministry, a non-denominational church, in 1993, with starting the ministry in their home and later using other community venues. In 2003, the church was founded as a Not-for-Profit religious organization. In 2009, the church was established as a 501 (3) c organization in Gurnee, Il. During this time, Dr. Coleman worked on the development of church administration and curriculum frameworks, while Rev. Coleman structured worship and religious education. The first service was held in 2010. Retiring in 2012, after 40 years with Commonwealth Edison, Pastor Coleman devoted himself fulltime to the ministry. In 2021, after using their home and numerous community venues, Way Through The Word Ministry purchased their own nearly 13,000 sq ft building. We now have an abundance of classrooms and worship space. All Glory and Honor to God.
Way Through The Word Ministry Church is the first African-American Church licensed in Gurnee, IL. The ministry objective is to be a church that promote excellence in character and service to further the kingdom of God. To become a church body the maximizes the Anointed Word of God. Our strongest desire as servants of God is to be true servants to the Lord and His church, to use our gifts and talents to further empower others through the gospel of our Lord and Savior.
Mr. Terry S. Gaines II
DRAGON SPOTLIGHT HONOREE
I am profiling my son Terry S. Gaines II.
I have spoken to him about Oak Park throughout his life and the pride and integrity we developed. He was all for it when I asked him if he would like to become a member of our Alumni Association.
He is the third of three siblings born to myself and Evelyn in November of 1981.
He has always enjoyed and participated in sports, music, dance.
He played T-ball. He played soccer. He sang in the church choir. He sang in his high school show choir and played leading roles in it. He also joined his universities show choir..
He played defensive line on his high school football team.
Life events:
Born in Pascagoula, Mississippi/Moved to Gautier, MS in 1990
Attended Cherokee Elementary in Pascagoula and Singing river Elementary in Gautier
Attended Gautier Junior high school
Graduated From Gautier high school in 2000, which was its first four year graduating class
Graduated from Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky.
Currently living in Lexington
Employed with the Conduent Department Division of Medicaid in Kentucky in which he was recently promoted to supervisor
He was a Boy Scout but no military service.
He now enjoys cooking and camping.
Be safe out there Oak parkites! Covid-19 is still raging.
Keep the Acorns coming. They are our future
