Lawrence & Artelia Perry Scholarship Fund Celebrates 10th Legacy Luncheon, Awards $30K to NCCU Students

DURHAM, NC – The Lawrence & Artelia Perry Scholarship Fund (L&APSF) marked a decade of honoring faith, family, and education with its 10th Annual Legacy Luncheon on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at the Washington Duke Inn in Durham. The event celebrated community honorees, recognized the behind-the-scenes contributions of administrative and clerical assistants in faith-based organizations, and awarded $30,000 in scholarships to 15 students from North Carolina Central University.

Honoring Faith-Based Leaders

Founded in 2011, L&APSF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to empowering students at Bennett College, Livingstone College, and North Carolina Central University (NCCU). The Legacy Luncheon was created to honor individuals whose lives reflect the values of Rev. Lawrence Perry and Mrs. Artelia Marsh Perry—faith, family, history, and love.

This year’s luncheon spotlighted Administrative and Clerical Assistants for Faith-Based Organizations, whose service is essential to the spiritual and operational success of their churches. 2025 Legacy Honorees are Danielle Allgood, Mary Grafton Gilmer, Rebecca Hayes Monroe, Fonda Kitt Muhammad, LaQuinta Parker Perry, Myrtie Powell, Barbara Rice Richmond, Kaye B. Russell, Mary Tyler, Melva Washington Toomer, Carolyn Watson, Joann Wearing, Beverly P. West, and Niki J. Wright.

Investing in Future Leaders

Scholarship support remained a highlight of the luncheon, with $30,000 awarded to 15 students, each receiving $2,000. All awardees are enrolled at North Carolina Central University. The 2025 Perry Scholarship Recipients are Mikayla Brown, Liney Bullock, Kaelin Cadlett, Carl Dean, August Freeman, Madison Knight, Ja’Carla Lawrence, Triniti Long, Eric McCallum, Sydney Blake Mitchell, Imani Womack, Ta’asia Whitley, Eddie White, and Niya Shands.

Sustaining the Mission

L&APSF raises funds through its annual luncheon, corporate sponsorships, direct donations, and sales of Artelia: Portrait of an African American Matriarch, authored by Dr. Joyce Perry Edwards. Proceeds provide ongoing scholarship support to students committed to academic excellence.

For more information or to contribute, visit www.PerryScholarshipFund.com or mail donations to P.O. Drawer 2131, Durham, NC 27702.

About the Board

The Lawrence & Artelia Perry Scholarship Fund Board of Directors is chaired by Dr. Dwight D. Perry. It includes Warren H. Arrington, Jr. (Parliamentarian), Jemma Boler (2nd Vice President), Stilwyn Marsh Perry Brown (Program Chair), Marilyn Dianne Clements, Dr. Joyce Perry Edwards (Administrative Secretary), Dr. Tara Fikes (1st Vice Chair), Jonathan Gattis II, Allyson Perry Gattis, Leatrice Smith Grafton (Corresponding Secretary), Rhonda Manns McRae, Rev. Dr. Michael Page, Alexander S. Perry, Esq., Monica Reid, Radeyah C. Saleem (Treasurer), Patricia Walker, and Dr. Bernadette G. Watts.