On Friday, May 12, 2017, Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) held its second annual Stone of Hope Gala. A highlight of the gala, which is the university’s largest fundraising event, was the recognition of the second class of 45 Under 45 honorees. The 45 Under 45 is a distinction extended to SAU alumni who are excelling in their career and/or the community. Honorees are nominated by their classmates and selected by a committee. This year’s honorees have impressive track records in healthcare, technology, higher education, media, and more.

Pictured below: Honorees who attended the 2017 Stone of Hope Gala

Mr. Ty Arnold, Class of 2005
Owner/Writer/Director/Designer/Programmer at Visual Pro Elementz, LLC

Ms. Gentel Blair, Class of 2016

News Producer at ABC 57

Mr. Grady Bussey, Class of 1996

Recreation Facility & Program Supervisor III at the John P. “Top” Greene Community Center/Courtney T. Johnson Community Center (City of Raleigh)

Dr. Shenique Carmichael, Class of 1999

President of Leah’s Hopes and Dream / Program Manager-TIAA Cref

Mr. Adrian Carroll, Class of 1994

Business and Sports Marketing Teacher at  North Point High School

Owner/Operator of Adrian Carroll Entertainment Celebrity Agency

Mr. Abdul S. Cole, Class of 2004

Enterprise Infrastructure Architect at North Carolina Administration of Courts

Ms. Vonda Easterling, Class of 1995

Student Success Coach/Manager at Talbert O. Shaw Women’s Living and Learning Center of Shaw University

Mrs. Sabrina F. Edwards, Class of 1996
Assistant Professor of Business at Edward Waters College

Rev. Frederick Faison, Class of 1995

Servant Leader, Lincoln University’s Mary Dod Brown Memorial Chapel

Mrs. Terrika Foster-Brasby, Class of 2010

Digital Content Producer for ESPN Radio

Mr. Arun Gomez, Class of 2013

Defensive Coordinator/Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Saint Augustine’s University

Mr. Stavien Harrison, Class of 1996

Team Leader at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Dr. Timothy Hatchett, Class of 1995

Director of Academic Advising and Retention at the University of the District of Columbia

Mrs. Cykeithia Burnette Henderson, Class of 1993

Health Care Coach/Certified Nursing Assistant at Doctors Community Rehabilitation Center

Ms. Kiawanta Hunter-Keiser, Class of 1994

Policy Specialist at the Department of Education

Ms. Tamika Johnson, Class of 1996

Owner & Write Tyme Book Coaching and Ghostwriting Services and Editor

Chief/Creator of N’Deavor Magazine

Ms. Latoya Jones, Class of 2006

Program Director (Infant, Toddler and Two’s) at Private School in Fairfax, VA

Councilman Marlon Lee, Class of 1999

Dean of Students and Girls Basketball Coach at Clayton High School

MAJ Jimmie B. Leonard, Class of 2004

Executive Officer, Army Field Support Battalion

Dr. Wanida Lewis, Class of 2005

Product Development Scientist at General Mills

Ms. Marcia Lomax, Class of 1999

Owner/Founder and Mental Health Therapist at Lomax Counseling Services, LLC

Lieutenant Colonel Crede Lyons, Class of 1995

Lieutenant Colonel at U.S. Army

Mr. Patrick Gerald McDonald, Class of 2011

The Program Director of Curriculum The Raleigh School

Ms. Kacey R. McHoney, Class of 2014

PharmD/MSPS Candidate 2019/Intern/CVS Pharmacy at Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Mrs. Shauna I. McNeil, Class of 1995

Associate Director of Student Activities/Director of Greek Life and Student OrganizationsNorth Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Mr. John Moore, Class of 1996

President at Control EHS Consultants

Mrs. Che’Landra Moore-Quarles, Class of 2000

Owner, Quarles Professional Counseling and Consultation

Mrs. Rachel E. Morris, Class of 2001

Executive Director at Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Ms. Leigha Morris, Class of 2008

Media Coordinator at Wake County Public School System

Mrs. Janae Nash, Class of 2014

Owner at Berry Bomb Cosmetics

Ms. Devonia L. Nixon, Class of 1994

Health and Physical Education Teacher-First Female Baseball Coach at Sussex Central Middle School

Ms. Rachel Pierce, Class of 1997

Athletic Director/HPE Teacher/Basketball Coach at Sallie B Howard School of the Arts and Education

Mrs. Charisse Pinkett Dudley, Class of 2000

Supervisor at NC Foreclosure Prevention Fund, US Dept. of Treasury

North Carolina Housing Finance Agency

Ms. Miyoshi Polk, Class of 2011

Owner/Lead Coordinator at Lavish Impressions

Ms. Stepheca Sawyer, Class of 1996

Retention Program Coordinator for the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management at Morgan State University (MSU)

Ms. Kendra M. Sharp, Class of 2011

Director of Donor Relations at Wilberforce University-Office of Institutional Advancement

Mrs. Tori Nikole Smith, Class of 1997

Resource Teacher for Special Education at Wake County Public School System

Ms. Jada Tabor, Class of 2000

Team Leader of System Support Services at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Mr. Eric Terry, Class of 2000

IT Asset Management Analyst at State Employees Credit Union

CEO/Principal for the Eric Terry Group

Mrs. Shantell Thomas, Class of 1997

Partner Marketing Manager at Avalara

Ms. Michelle Thompson, Class of 1999

ASHA Certified Speech Language Pathologist at EBS Healthcare

Ms. Tammy S. Thurman, Class of 1996

Community Relations Manager (NC-East) at Piedmont Natural Gas Company

Mr. Julius West, Class of 2013

English Teacher and Head Track Coach at Frank W. Ballou High School

Ms. Gloria Whitehurst, Class of 1999

Family and Community Outreach Manager at A and *Advocacy and Outreach

Mr. Christopher Withers, Class of 2001
Director of Admissions at Saint Augustine’s University