Community Empowerment Fund honors Black Queens in the community

COMMUNITY NEWS

By Tyria McCray-Bourda
Correspondent

*Editor Michelle Cassell contributed to this article

CHAPEL HILL–The Community Empowerment Fund, a non-profit based in Durham and Orange Counties, held its third annual Share The Love event in Carrboro, honoring the remarkable black queens of the community. During the festivities, Yvette Matthews, the Office and Community Organizer emphasized that the occasion was dedicated to recognizing the incredible contributions of black women to their neighborhoods.

“These women are truly making a difference in our communities, and it’s important that they are given flowers and celebrated,” said Mathews.

Introducing the Black Queens for 2025 – (bios provided by Yvette Mathews)

APRIL BARBER

April Barber is one of the most inspiring people of our time. She spent over 20 years incarcerated. After serving her time, she returned with a heart on fire for her community. She is an advocate for all those who are coming back to society through the RE-ENTRY program. Barber works as a Peer Support Specialist for the Freedom House of Recovery in Chapel Hill. She is also the head of her own nonprofit organization called fencedIN.fightingforfreedomadvocacy.

LORRAINE WILLIAMS

Lorraine Williams is a long-time member of Durham. She started a tenant council in her apartment complex and continues to organize there. Williams is very community-minded and frequently visits local food banks to bring food to CEF’s pantry. When CEF is closed on the weekends, she will bring food to her neighbors.

Ms. Lorraine attends nearly every Meeting of the Minds and community classes.

SANDRA THEARD

Sandra Theard has been an active member of CEF for some time. She is deeply involved in advocacy for the organization and excels at Meeting of the Minds. Her heritage comes from here, and she is a long-standing leader in the community. CEF seeks to bring her compelling story to the forefront to prevent it from happening to women in our community.

LOTUS WILSON

Lotus Wilson is a CEF Durham Member, and she is very involved with all Durham events, including volunteering to facilitate Meetings of the Mind and participating in several community classes. She has also expressed interest in serving on the CEF Board of Directors.

Wilson is involved in the community outside CEF and has attended city council meetings. She organizes at her apartment complex as well.

NATASHA THOMPSON

Natasha Thompson is a CEF Member, and she works as a hairstylist. She runs a nonprofit that helps with haircare for vulnerable populations.

PAULA ROWLAND

Paula Rowland is a long-time member of CEF. She has been involved in Time & Talents, Meeting of the Minds, and community. classes. Despite various hardships in the past year, she has maintained a presence in her communities and continues to show up when she can.

A photo recap of the event is below. All photos by Tyria Bourda.

Office and Community Organizer – Yvette Matthews opening the celebration.

Crowd gathering ahead of celebration.

Welcoming Queendom: Left to Right – April Barber, Lorraine Williams, Sandra Theard.

Welcoming Queendom: Right to Left – Natasha Thompson, Paula Rowland.

Katina Welch (podium) presenting crown to April Barber.

Donna Carrington (podium) presenting crown to Lorraine Williams.

Delores Bailey (podium) presenting the crown to Sandra Theard.

Yvette Matthews (podium) presenting the crown to Natasha Thompson. Natasha Thompson is a licensed cosmetologist based in Durham, North Carolina, with a focus on creating protective hairstyles.

UNC Blue Lightning Cheerleading Team.

Yvette Matthews leading CEF Freedom Liberation Ensemble into song.

Yvette Matthews (on stage) pictured with queens – Left to Right: Lorraine Williams, Natasha Thompson, April Barber, Katina Welch, Lori C., Sandra Theard, and Delores Bailey.

UNC Blue Lightning Cheerleading Team, Queens, CEF team, and Yvette Matthews (centered in front).

Tyria McCray-Bourda is a story-driven journalist whose work also appears in The Carolinian newspaper in Raleigh. With a bachelor’s in journalism & mass communication from North Carolina A&T State University, she has the distinction of having interviewed President Joe Biden when he was a candidate on the campaign trail and Vice President Kamala Harris. This reporter can be reached at: Information@TheLocal Reporter.press.