Page 12 - The Voice - Fall 2016_Winter 2017

Each year, TLOD/TTA reach out to the community through the donation of items or provision of service to a local organi-
zation that serves youth and/or adults. This year Top Teens and Top Ladies collected and filled backpacks to donate to the
community through Area One’s Blessings in a Backpack. These backpacks were given for the purpose of providing healthy
snacks for school aged children who may be in need of food once they leave school. One thousand one hundred fifty-six
backpacks were given to the Bethlehem Community Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Lady Dr. Carolyn Yusef, Director of the Bethlehem
Community Center graciously received the 1,156 backpacks from the Teens and Ladies. Teens boxed up and loaded the backpacks for
delivery to the Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Leadership activities at the 46th Area I Conference were highlighted by Area I most capable officers. Lady Regina Dickson,
Area I Recording Secretary, shared information during workshop presentations about the Recording Secretary’s position
with current and upcoming Recording Secretaries in two sessions.

Area II
35th Annual Leadership Conference

Our conference began on Thursday, May 6th, 2017 with anticipation of beginning with Energy, Enthusiasm and Excitement. As the 91
registered teens began to make history for Area II as the largest amount of Top Teens attending our conference, the advisors were eager
to get things started.
Our conference began with the memorial service as we dressed in white to remember Ladies, Teens and Lords that have transitioned
from earth to Heaven. Lady Tarra Taylor led the ceremony.
Next was our opening ceremony that was led by Top Teens. Lady Helena L. Dodson shared the Area history and a PowerPoint presenta-
tion was shared with activities from most of our Area II Chapters. Ladies, Lords and Top Teens stood as their chapters were recognized.
During the summer, the Area Director instituted an Area II Literacy project- Essay Writing. We focused on the political agenda and the
title of the essay was “What I Expect from a Candidate Running for Office.” Several Top Teens read their essays during the opening
ceremony.
Hound Dog Bus company provided transportation for our Top Teens and Top Teens Advisors on Friday, April 7th to Hampton Univer-
sity and Norfolk State University. Our HBCU tours to these colleges was filled with anticipation as our Top Teens sat in the area at
Hampton University and heard President William R. Harvey speak about the opportunities available at the college. Pictures were taken
with the President as he was introduced to our Area II TTA President, Teen Joshua White. Our tour guide led us to different parts of the
college and shared information about each location. The photo opportunities continued as we toured the Black History Museum on cam-
pus. Teens experienced lunch before our tour at Norfolk State as the food truck provided lunch at Shiloh Baptist Church.
Our experience at Norfolk State University was exciting when we were escorted into their auditorium for a fun filled presentation with
ambassadors and admission officers of the college. Our tour guide led us to several newly constructed buildings including the state of the

The Voice ~ Volume 1, Issue 1