This video titled, "Black Excellence Awards Banquet: Making the Grade" was held in McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center on April 22, 2006. L"Tanya Richmond, Director of Multicultural Affairs provided a welcome to the guests and recognized the first African-American students who attended Elon (Glenda Phillips and Eugene Perry). "Since the inception of the awards ceremony, this event has been titled the Black Excellence Awards Ceremony. On this evening, a new title of this event has been established to honor Glenda Phillips and Eugene Perry, since the banquet began in 1993. The new official title of this event will be the Phillips-Perry Black Excellence Awards Banquet. This new title was approved by the Elon University Trustees. Glenda Phillips attended Elon in 1963, and the first black graduate, Eugene Perry in 1969. Phillips and Perry are recognized at the end of the awards ceremony by L"Tanya Richmond. Leo Lambert and J. Earl Danieley embrace Phillips and Perry. The mission of the Black Excellence Awards Banquet is to recognize, celebrate, and affirm the presence of black students at Elon University." The 2006 "Black Excellence Awards Banquet: Making the Grade" program included: the "Welcome" by L"Tanya Richmond; the "Invocation" by Keith McDaniels, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Morgan Place, Elon, North Carolina; Dinner; the Introduction of the Speaker by Christopher Woods (Class of 2006); and the Speaker by Steven S. Walker, Financial Manager, Department of the Navy, Washington, D.C. Walker"s remarks included: talked about the fashion of the night and discussed to be safe after the evening"s celebration. Walker"s theme was titled "Phoenix do not fly" Soar." He continued with his speech which included: reflected on 21 years ago " no google, no i Phone, no emails, on-line shopping, no cars fueled by electricity, no lap-tops, no download of music, only the use of turn tables in Moseley Center; spoke of healthcare changes because of medical technology; discussed how Elon is more diverse in the 21 Century; and resulted in how people worked to make these advances happen. Walker stated, progress requires hard work. Frederick Douglass once said, "if there is no struggle there is no progress." Appreciate opportunity that others before you have fought for with a passion and a vision, said Walker. Walker stated, please, please just do not fly Phoenix, SOAR! The Presentation of Awards were presented by Nancy Midgette, Associate Provost; Smith Jackson, Vice President and Dean of Student Life; and Richard McBride, University Chaplain. The Presentation and Remarks were made by L"Tanya Richmond, Director of Multicultural Affairs; Leo M. Lambert, President; and J. Earl Danieley, President Emeritus. The Benediction was given by Keith McDaniels. Lambert"s comments included: a congratulations to Phillips and Perry; a gratitude to the current Elon students and their achievements; and announced that a judge had decided not to close an Alamance High School (Cummings High School) in North Carolina. Some names included: Charita Alston, Cherisse Armour, LaKeisha Baldwin, Joy Denise Baxter, Keenan Mitchell Benjamin, Brittany Angelique Bentham, Errington Jordan Bethel, Johnie Alfred Blackwell, Michael Blake, Erick Jamel Born, Cameron B. Davis, Montesia Chuvon Deas, Breanna Detwiler, Danielle Durst, Andre Delenn Essue, Sabrinna Renee Faulkner, Sidney Lane Fitz-Coy, Marsha Fuller, Fasmi Alonzo Gamble, Peyton T. Hairston III, Whitney Hamilton, Jasmyne Hill, Kamal A. Jobe, Jacobi Eddie Jones, Ashley Nichole Marshall, Michelle Massie, Nicole Quarles, Miya Micole Stodghill, Muyinat Taiwo, Dwayne W. Waite, Whitney Williams, Christopher Woods, Estee Amana, Erica Lindsay Ayala, Alana Black, Kellie Bland, Kimberly Nicole Bowman, Michael Edward Brandon, Michael Edward Brandon, James A. Brewer, Diamond Bridges, Tiffany Sheree Brooks, Charity Renaa Bumpass, Ashley Marie Burrell, Chanel Erica Caraway, Angela Carlberg, Aundrea Carter, Phillipe Charles, Jocelyn Clark, Alexia Clincy, Bernard Eral Coston II, Justine Davis, Dominique Derbigny, Emily Dillard, Eden Alexandra Esters, Kelci Flowers, Elizabeth Daphne Foggie, Ebone Renee Gaskins, Gabrielle Corette Gee, Reginald Eugene Hall, J. Chase Harps, Raechel Hester, Rachel J. Hinson, April Rene"s Holloway, Gail Fonville, John Rascoe, Bryant Colson, Mary Carroll, Donna Hill Oliver, William Walker, Tonya Taylor, David Bynes, Kebbler McGhee, Sherrika Stanley, Akilah Weaver, Darris Means, and David Morrow. The Black Excellence Award Banquet was officially named the Phillips-Perry Black Excellence Awards Banquet in 2006 in honor of Elon’s first black student, Glenda Phillips, and the first black graduate, Eugene Perry. Videos created before 2006 are labeled as "Black Excellence Award Banquet (YEAR)" and videos made after 2005 are labeled "Phillips-Perry Black Excellence Awards Banquet (YEAR)".