2008 Lina McCord Recipients


Front row, seated, from left: Taler Jefferson, Bennett College; Jasmine Johnson, Dillard University; and George K. Johnson, Dillard University.
Second row, standing, from left: Donta Brown, Claflin University; Jennifer Hill, Clark Atlanta University; Jarrett Lemieux, Dillard University; Tatenda Mujeni, Bennett College; Dr. Phyllis Adams, consultant; Audrey Moorehead, Huston–Tillotson University; Chastic Steele, Rust College; and Braque Talley, Rust College.
Third row, standing, from left: Shawntelle Rollins, Wiley College, Crystal Banks, BCF Coordinator; Eboni Lemon, Clark Atlanta University; Dr. Cynthia Bond Hopson, BCF assistant general secretary and Clark College alum; and Courtneika Hudson, Paine College.
Not pictured: Simeon Udunka, Meharry Medical College

(click on the picture to enlarge the image)

2008 Lina McCord Recipient Biographies

  • Donta
    Brown

    Donta Brown is a native of Johns Island, S.C., where he is a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. He is a sophomore religion and philosophy major at Claflin University in Orangeburg, S.C. Donta is one of the founders of Claflin Men 100, a group which supports young men in improving themselves by participating in programs such as Big Brothers and mentoring. He is also a member of PAECE (Performing Arts Engagement Civic Education).

    When he graduates in May 2010, Donta plans to pursue a Master of Divinity in Religion at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga.

  • Courtneika
    Andrill Hudson

    Courtneika (Court-Knee-ka) Andrill Hudson is an active member at Capital View United Methodist church in Atlanta, Ga., where she serves as a greeter and usher for the young adult ministry. She is also a member of the Capital View United Methodist drama department, where she performs both mime and praise dance ministry.

    Upon graduation, Courtneika plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania to obtain a master’s degree in English. She plans a career in the news media.

  • Jennifer
    Hill

    Jennifer Hill is the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Thomas C. Hill III. A junior theatre arts major, she is co-president of The California Club, a member of CAU Players, and an actor in many of the school’s productions. She is on the Dean’s List. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her niece and nephew.

    Upon graduation, Jennifer hopes to attend Yale School of Drama and plans a career in acting, writing, producing, and directing stage, television, and film productions.

  • Taler
    Jefferson

    Taler Jefferson is a sophomore at Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C. Taler is majoring in biology. She is also a member of Hamilton Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Tex. She is a member of the Bennett College for Women Student Ambassadors Association, a Lois Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation scholar, and a member of the biology club.

    After she completes a B.S in biology, Taler plans to attend graduate school studying clinical research in nephrology.

  • Jasmine
    Johnson

    Jasmine Johnson, a native of Houston, Texas, has been an active member of Windsor Village United Methodist Church in her hometown. She is a strong believer in the idea that “it takes a village to raise a child.” Johnson believes the adults around her did their part in helping her grow up and she wants to give that back to those younger than her.

    Johnson participates in many organizations at Dillard, including the Vision Quest Chorale. She is also a sports medicine trainer for the men’s basketball team. After she completes her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy, she plans to continue with graduate school for a master’s degree and then obtain an athletic training degree.

  • George
    Kimbrough Johnson

    A native of Houston, Tex., the Rev. George Kimbrough Johnson is a 1996 recipient of a Master of Divinity degree from The Chicago Theological Seminary and a 1993 cum laude graduate of Dillard University in New Orleans, La.

    He is the former college chaplain and Instructor of Religion and Ethics of Wiley College in Marshall, Tex. He currently serves as pastor of Bethel United Methodist Church of Queen City, Tex., and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of Jefferson, Tex.

    Johnson’s ministerial service has been enhanced by his participation as a student intern and ambassador for The Black College Fund of The United Methodist Church, and his experiences in missionary work in the countries of South Africa and Namibia.

    Johnson is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was inspired to join this fraternal organization by the example of his former pastor, Bishop Robert E. Hayes Jr. of the Oklahoma Annual Conference.

  • Jarrett
    Lemieux

    Jarrett Lemieux, a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, is a senior Business Management major at Dillard University. He is a member of various organizations, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the NAACP, and Inroads. He is a member of Dillard University’s Trustee and Liaison Committee. In church, he serves as lead saxophonist. After he completes his bachelor’s degree in Business Management, he plans to attend Smeal College of Business.

  • Eboni
    Lemon

    Eboni Lemon, a native of Summerville, S.C., is a sophomore attending Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga. She is a dedicated member of Murray United Methodist Church.

    Lemon is majoring in Mass Media Arts concentrating in radio, television, and film production. At Clark Atlanta, she is a member of the Pre-Alumni Council and an intern with the Atlanta Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce. She hopes to graduate with honors, intern with CNN, and then go to graduate school.

  • Ernest
    Bervell Mensah

    Ernest Bervell Mensah graduated summa cum laude from Claflin University in Orangeburg, S.C. He holds a B.S. in management information systems, with a minor in philosophy and religion. As a student, he actively participated in the United Methodist Student Movement (UMSM) at the national level, and with the United Methodist Wesley Foundation Ministry at Claflin.

    Ernest is a business analyst in the Cross-Divisional Projects & Architecture group within the Technology Division of a prominent bank on Wall Street. Additionally, he enjoys volunteering and mentoring college students in the Goldman Sachs Scholars, Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) and Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) programs in New York City.

  • Tatenda
    Mujeni

    Tatenda Mujeni is a native of Zimbabwe who is currently studying biology at Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C. She plans to become a veterinary surgeon.

    Tatenda also has a passion of working with women and children, especially girls, to help them improve their lives. In Zimbabwe she was involved in various workshops coordinated by The Ministry with Women Youth and Children and hopes to continue helping with related organizations.

  • Shawntelle
    Anjani Rollins

    Rollins is an honor student at Wiley College in Marshall, Tex., where she has been selected for Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities for two consecutive years. She also made the Dean’s and President’s List at Wiley and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Currently she participates in Faithful Worship Praise Dance Ministry, National Society of Minorities in Hospitality, Junior Class Cabinet, the Wiley Wildcat Cheerleading team, the Student Leadership Institute, and the pre-alumni council.

    She hopes to pursue a Doctorate of Education Administration and ultimately open a preparatory school for disadvantaged children. Rollins believes that “problems are just small inconveniences to a permanent change.”

  • Braque
    Talley

    Braque Talley is a member of Boyd Chapel United Methodist Church. He is a freshman English/Liberal Arts major at Rust College, where he is a member of various organizations including the NAACP, Pre-Law Club, and Model United Nations. Braque also serves as president of the Freshmen Class at Rust. Upon obtaining his bachelor’s degree, Braque plans to attend law school at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

  • Dr.

    Simeon
    Udunka

    Simeon Udunka of Atlanta, Ga., a dentistry student at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry, is actively involved in the school, the community, and church. While attending Benjamin E. Mays High School, he became interested in science and decided to become a dentist. During high school, he participated in sports, the Student Government Association, and the health careers club. At Hoosier Memorial United Methodist Church, he was an acolyte, a youth mentor, and the speaker for Youth Day Sunday in May 2007. His community service earned him the Bronze Congressional Medal.

    A graduate of Xavier University in New Orleans, La., he was a chemistry major who was also involved in youth mentoring, the American Chemical Society, and varsity cross-country team. After graduation, he became a research- fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where his research involved human pesticide assessments and where he was part of the chemical terrorism response team. This team was trained to work in areas affected by chemical terrorism.

For More Information Contact:

Dr. Cynthia Bond Hopson
Assistant General Secretary
Black College Fund
Email: bcfumc@gbhem.org
Phone: 615-340-7378
General Fax: 615-340-7379