Ivan & Sharon Earle to Chair March of Dimes African American Achievement Award
Honorees are Revs. Dr. Ronnie E. (Carolyn) Brailsford, Sr. & Dr. & Mrs. Ronald (Joyce) Epps

(COLUMBIA, SC, October 1, 2009) —The March of Dimes South Carolina Chapter will host the sixth annual African American Achievement Award on November 19 at 7:30am at Embassy Suites in Columbia. Mr. Ivan and Dr. Sharon Earle of Columbia will serve as co-chairs for the event honoring Revs. Dr. Ronnie E. (Carolyn) Brailsford, Sr. and Dr. & Mrs. Ronald (Joyce) Epps. 

Reverend Ronnie Brailsford has provided 29 years of faithful and visionary leadership in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He is the pastor of Historic Bethel A.M.E. Church in Columbia. Rev. Carolyn E. Brailsford is an ordained Itinerant Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and is Preacher of the Gospel who ministers as Psalmist/Vocal Artist, speaker, teacher of vocal workshops, and presenter on the special topic of Praise and Worship.

Dr. Ronald Epps served as superintendent in the Richland One School District for six years. He is currently an educational consultant serving as an executive coach to superintendents throughout the nation and also doing superintendent searches for school districts. Mrs. Epps is part of the faculty of Benedict College. In addition, she is involved in the pre-induction phase of the lives of the college’s perspective teachers. She also is an active member of the Columbia Board of the March of Dimes.

Funds raised from the event will help fund March of Dimes research into the causes of premature birth and towards education of men and women in the importance of prenatal care for preventing prematurity birth, birth defects and infant death. The event comes at an especially pertinent time, as November will be when the March of Dimes issues the 2009 Prematurity Report Card. Last year South Carolina had one of the highest prematurity rates in the country. “November is Prematurity Awareness Month—and the March of Dimes is dedicated to raising awareness about this infant health crisis in the African American community and for all babies in our local community, the state of South Carolina and our nation” said Joyce Epps.

The African American Achievement Award was established in 2003 by the South Carolina Chapter of the March of Dimes to honor and recognize the commitment and dedication of those positively impacting the African American community and to raise awareness of the racial disparities that exist in infant mortality and premature birth within the African American community.  Infant mortality rates are twice as high for African American babies as for Caucasian babies.  In addition to this, African American babies are nearly twice as likely to be born prematurely as Caucasian babies and African American mothers have the highest rates of inadequate prenatal care compared to other maternal race categories

Past African American Award recipients include: Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter, Dr. Noble Cooper Jr. & Family, I.S. Leevy Johnson & Family, Dr. Greta Harper, Bishop & Mrs. A.C. Jackson, Dr. & Mrs. Frank Washington, Dr. & Mrs. Jasper Salmond, Mr. & Mrs. James Bennett, Rev. and Mrs. Charles B. Jackson, Sr., Ms. Jean Hopkins and Mr. Clente Flemming.  Mr. Ivan and Dr. Sharon Earle received the award for their impact to the community in 2008.

“I’m proud to be part of this event which will help the March of Dimes continue working towards the day when every baby has a healthy start in life,” Ivan Earle said. “The generous contributions of the community, event sponsors and attendees will truly impact the lives of babies and families in our community and across the state.”

Premature birth touches half a million babies and their families every year including 184 babies in South Carolina in an average week. Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have life-long disabilities.

There is still availability to participate in the event.  Tickets for the event are $100 per person, or $1,000 for a corporate table. Event sponsors include Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., South Carolina DHEC, Primerica and Kiss 103.1 FM and Millennium Magazine. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are also available. Please contact the March of Dimes at (803)252-5200 or marchofdimes.com/southcarolina for more information.

The March of Dimes funds research to find the causes and ways to prevent premature birth—an infant health crisis that affects one in six babies in South Carolina and the numbers continue to rise. In half of all cases there is no known cause. Premature babies struggle to survive and may face life-long health consequences.

In 2009 the South Carolina March of Dimes has invested 1.5 million dollars in program services, including research grants and local community services. Through these grants, the March of Dimes is seeking ways to prevent birth defects and infant death, reduce South Carolina’s increasing premature birth rate, increase access to prenatal care and educate men and women about having healthy babies. 

About March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  With chapters nationwide the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
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