Grambling State News

GRAMBLING, La. – October 11, 2023 – The Center for Career and Professional Development at Grambling State University will celebrate its inaugural class of Distinguished 10 Award honorees in the Black and Gold Room of the Favrot Student Union on Friday, October 13 at 11:30 a.m.

A new addition to Homecoming festivities, the Distinguished 10 award was created to honor 10 Grambling State ​University graduates who have demonstrated excellence in their industry and ​community. Through their personal and professional achievements, these ​remarkable individuals exemplify outstanding leadership in business, research, ​public service, and/or philanthropic endeavors.

Grambling State’s Distinguished 10 for the inaugural class are as follows:

• Patricia Cage Bibbs, ‘72. Women’s basketball coaching legend, Bibbs’ honors have included The YWCA’s Empowerment Award; the Black Women in Sports Foundation Legends Award and SWAC Lifetime Achievement accolades as well as inductions into the Grambling State University Hall of Fame; Grambling Legends Hall of Fame, and the SWAC Hall of Fame.

• Kyrus Branch, ‘03. The Criminal Justice graduate is the East District Patrol Deputy Chief for the Arlington (Texas) Police ​Department who also teaches criminology and criminal justice at the University of Texas Arlington. He has received numerous awards for his dedication to law enforcement and for inspiring officers under his command.
• Dr. Farrah Gafford Cambrice, ‘99. Dr. Cambrice is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Prairie View A&M University whose research and teaching interests include race, disaster recovery, community building, and qualitative methods. Her peer-reviewed research appears in Collections: A Journal for Museum and Archive Professionals, Journal of Black Studies, Journal of Global Policy and Resilience, and Journal of Urban History.
• Dr. Evelyn Ford Crayton, ‘68. Dr. Crayton was the 90th President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), serving in that role in 2015-16 as the organization’s first African-American President. She retired following a more than 40-year career ranging from extension specialist to assistant director of extension at Auburn University and is now self-employed as director of Living Well Associates, LLC, in Montgomery, Alabama, where she continues to work with students; aspiring registered dietitian nutritionists; nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered; and professional colleagues.
• Laphilia Nicole Davis, ‘03. The founder and CEO of Butler-Davis Tax & Accounting, BD Payroll, and Groundworx Contractors, Davis directs a dedicated team of 26 professionals. With more than 20 years of expertise, she offers extensive knowledge in accounting, tax, financial oversight, and advisory services, catering to diverse clientele from various sectors. Davis possesses a unique prowess in tax strategy and is adept in small business accounting, notably within the construction, independent pharmacy, and service-oriented business industries.
• La Shanda Hurst, ‘95. A Business Program Manager for the Microsoft Philanthropies Employee Giving program, one of the largest workplace giving programs in the world, Hurst prides herself on building strong community relations, and her commitment to philanthropy has led her to work with some of Seattle’s top professional athletes. Hurst is an integral part of BAM — Blacks at Microsoft. The group is committed to developing and strengthening a strong network of Black leaders at Microsoft, which enhances the company’s diverse and inclusive culture.
• Prince Hutchinson, ‘05. A graduate of Business Management and Marketing, Hutchinson is a talent acquisition specialist for State Farm and is based in Richardson, Texas. In his role at State Farm, Hutchinson manages STEM engagement and assists with the insurance corporation’s summer internship program. Hutchinson is also known as a strong advocate for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
• Dr. Joslin Mar-Dai Pickens, ‘00. Dr. Pickens currently serves as Chair of the Communication and General Studies Department and is a tenured Associate Professor of Communication and Mass Communication at Southern University at Shreveport. She is the recipient of two national Excellence in Teaching Award for Colleges and Universities and honored by the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce, Young Professional Initiative of Northwest Louisiana 40 Under 40, and 2021 Minority Business Opportunity Award Business Owner of the Year.
• Dr. Lamarr Shields, ‘94. As Co-Founder and Senior Director of Education and Innovation at the Cambio Group, Dr. Shields has extensive experience as a scholar-practitioner in the field of racial, ethnic, and academic identity among Black and Latino male youth. Coupled with his depth of experience with fostering inter-connectivity and deep engagement among educators, policy makers, parents, and other change agents, Dr. Shields uniquely positions himself as a leader in the field.
• Dr. Melva K. Wallace, ‘99. Dr. Wallace became the seventh President and Chief Executive Officer at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, on Aug. 22, 2022. Prior to going to Huston-Tillotson, Dr. Wallace held numerous positions within the Southern University System including, executive associate to the chancellor, assistant vice chancellor and vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management at SU-Shreveport, vice chancellor at SU-New Orleans, and System chief of staff.

More information about each honoree can be found at www.gram.edu/D10.