By Margaret Mitchell
On Wednesday March 6, the meeting room at the Compton Library had the look and feel of a party: blue table clothes on the tables, festive balloons, the delectable aroma of food, hugs, kisses, and chatter as members and guests of Compton Elite Communicators mingled before the
meeting began. Compton Elite Communicators—affectionately known as CEC—was celebrating its 20th Anniversary as a Toastmasters club!
There was so much excitement in the air, I felt I could reach out and touch it. I heard one of the guests say, “I was still in my pajamas when I looked at my calendar and saw that this was your Anniversary. I just threw on my clothes and hurried over because I always enjoy your events.”
Lunch was delicious! Food Chair Laura Brown and her team laid out an appetizing spread of chicken tacos with all the trimmings, refried beans, rice, fiesta salad, fruit salad, cupcakes, and Vickie Love’s stuck-her-foot-in-it, mouth-watering peach cobbler and sour cream pudding cake.
There was so much food, we happily invited the library staff in to help us eat it all.
L-R, Back Row: Michael Milton, Laura Brown, Ahmad McDowell, Vickie Love, Janell Williams, Alonzo (Lonzo) Williams, Ron Dowell,
Natalie Torres-Haddad, Janet Kemp, Barbara Blankenship, Karen Persip, David Kitchen, ImUnique (Lisa) Spearman. Seated: Gay
Morris, Margaret Mitchell, Martha Pickett-Patterson, Edgar Allen Kemp.
Martha Pickett-Patterson, DTM
Martha Pickett-Patterson was a superb Toastmaster. She opened the program by reading a resolution from the City of Compton
congratulating the club on celebrating its 20th Anniversary. A gracious host from beginning to end, her poise and humor kept the
meeting flowing smoothly.
David Kitchen, DTM, PDG
David Kitchen, author, trainer and Past District Governor, gave the keynote address. He spoke on the theme, Transforming Ourselves
and the World—One Speech at a time. With humor and dynamism, he inspired us to live our best lives by having big dreams and
goals, taking action, and helping others meet their dreams and goals. His words struck just the right note and brought laughter and
nods of assent from an engaged audience.
Natalie Torres-Haddad, ATMB
Club member Natalie Torres-Haddad, a teacher, author and professional speaker, spoke movingly about how much she valued the opportunity to practice her speeches at club meetings and get valuable feedback. She credited CEC for helping her prepare for speaking engagements outside the club, including a TEDx talk and, most recently, a keynote address at the University of Berkeley.
Alonzo (Lonzo) Williams, ACG
Club member Alonzo Williams, hip hop historian, author, and professional speaker, revealed how free he felt since making the decision to hang up his hat as a nightclub owner. After 40 years in the business, he looks forward to building his speaking career and continuing his work with youth through his nonprofit organization.
His next big gig will be standing on the stage as a panelist with Cornell West.
In addition to the speakers, others who contributed to the success of the program included: Edgar Allen Kemp, Sergeant At Arms; Martha
Pickett-Patterson, Toastmaster; Vickie Love, Timer; Michael Milton, Wordmaster; Karen Persip; Setup/Cleanup; and ImUnique (Lisa) Spearman, Videographer/Photographer.
I was happy to see Gay Morris, a past Club President; Barbara Blankenship, who mentored the club during our infancy 20 years ago; Janell Williams, Area F6 Director; and Janet Kemp, Division F Director. All these fine ladies have supported the club in countless ways, some for many years.
During impromptu remarks, Ron Dowell pointed out that Compton Elite Communicators has long been a shining jewel in the City of Compton. At our Anniversary Celebration, we sparkled brilliantly!
Aren’t some of the best parties those times when we get together with family or close friends for fun, food and frivolity? The CEC Anniversary Celebration had that kind of feel. It was a wonderful party! The icing on the cake came at the end, when we added a new member — Division F Director Janet Kemp!
Compton Elite Communicators meets from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th
Wednesdays of the month at the Compton Library, 240 W. Compton Blvd., Compton 90220.
Occasionally, our regular meeting time is pre-empted by other library events. Please check with us before you visit.
We love having guests! Come visit us soon!
Contact information:
Margaret Mitchell at msmarge38@hotmail.com or
Alonzo (Lonzo) Williams at Lonzowms@gmail.com
Website: https://comptonelite.toastmastersclubs.org/