First Ladies, Community Receive Honors at Manna From Heaven/Greater Vineland NAACP Brunch
Elaine Duncan Gray, 90, received an honorary high school diploma at Manna From Heaven/Greater Vineland NAACP Fall Brunch on Sept. 14, 2024.
BY MONIQUE HOWARD | AC JosepH Media
PITTSGROVE — On Sept. 14, the Greater Vineland NAACP and Manna From Heaven honored inspirational figures in the community inside a bright and airy dining room within The Grove at The Centerton.
On a memorable Manna from Heaven/Greater Vineland NAACP Fall Brunch was full of uplifting songs, prayers, and speeches as honorees received The 2024 Upstanding Leaders of South Jersey Awards.
Elected officials dotted the audience – from State Assemblymen Antwan McClellan and Erik Simonsen, Cumberland County Commission Victoria Lods and Cumberland County Clerk Celeste Riley – but the true stars were many of the unsung heroes honored during the event.
Many of them were not household names and figures one would regularly find in the media, but all have and are continuing to make an impact in communities throughout South Jersey on a daily basis.
For one honoree in particular, the day marked milestones of a lifetime. Elaine Duncan Gray (Unsung Hero) not only received an award but also honorary high school diplomas from Cumberland Regional High School and a certificate from Cumberland County Technical Education Center. Gray proudly donned a black cap and gown during the awards ceremony.
She was given a rose by each family member and friend as a loving tribute to commemorate her achievements.
A special focus was given to the first ladies of local churches acknowledging the support, sacrifice, and leadership within their congregation and beyond.
The First Ladies presented with awards were Shawna French, Frankie Mae Brown, Isauna Cotta, Betty Ezekiel, Darlene Hadley, Harriet Johnson, Hazel May, and Pastor Mary Woods.
In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of these strongly spiritual women, the 2024 Upstanding Leaders of South Jersey Awards were bestowed to Dina Rossi (Education), Celeste Riley (Politics), Jill Sungenis (Business), Carl Dolente (Education), Deionne ThrBak (Religion/ Education), Sean Carter (Community/Business), Clyde Hughes (Journalism).
Angelia Edwards, president of the Greater Vineland Branch No. 2115 of the NAACP and founder of Manna from Heaven served as the master of ceremonies for the event.
Twenty-five years ago, Edwards and her mother were informed by the Bridgeton Public School District that two young children moved in with their grandmother due to
their mother being incarcerated.
After discovering there was very little food in the home, Edwards and her co-workers from South Woods State Prison raised money to help.
"We went to Eat More and bought them two truckloads of food and the grandma was so overwhelmed, so grateful," she recalls. "So after that, we just decided to keep things going. There were more people in the area that needed assistance because back then, they didn't have all the food banks that we have now."
This inspired the creation of Manna from Heaven. which now assists over 5,000 underprivileged families in South Jersey.
When reflecting on the honorees Edwards recognizes the importance of First Ladies and their unique roles in supporting spouses and members within the church. She feels the women chosen exemplify what it means to be an unsung hero.
“As far as the honorees, I thought we had an all-star cast,” She said. “First ladies of churches sometimes don’t get the credit they’re due.”
Edwards has great plans for Manna from Heaven and hopes to expand.
“One of my goals is I would like to have a facility here somewhere in town where I won’t have to use local schools or other people's buildings to distribute the food,” she states.
For Edwards acquiring a building and a new truck would be a dream come true. She remains hopeful that one day her vision will come to fruition.
"My vision is that one day we won't need an NAACP," she continues. " Maybe there'll be a day when we don't need the NAACP because of the advancement of colored people. One day people will see people and not color.
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