Home
About Us
Contact Us
National Chairman
National Officers
Chapters
Committees
Convention
Scholarships
Capital Campaign
Photo Gallery
Email Addresses
Benevolence
Projects
Classes' Web site
Newsletter
Featured Spartan
Constitution
Make a donation
Take a Survey
FAQ
MESSAGE Board
Birthday Calendar
Board Members
Tech Support
Press Release
Public Relations Team DiscussConvention
SpartNet
MySparta
Hall of Fame
Great Ball Players

n

All About Us

BWHAA emerged in the United States through the concerns and efforts of several alumni to help B.W. Harris School and to foster relationship between themselves. Instrumental in its formation, planning, and implementation were Kwaku Addy and his Class of 1978, Rev. H. Budu Shannon, Bob Adighibe and alumni in New York, New Jersey and Minnesota.

The first convention was held in 1993 in White Oak, MD and hosted by the DC Metro Chapter. The constitution was adopted by the association and incorporated as a Non-Profit Corporation. Kwaku Addy was elected as the association's first National Chairman.

The second convention was held in Raleigh, NC and hosted by the North Carolina Chapter with its theme “Sharing the Vision". During this period, there were only five active chapters: Tri-State (NY, NJ, and CT), DC Metro (MD, VA, DC), North Carolina, Georgia and Minnesota.

The third convention was held in 1995, hosted by the Georgia Chapter in Atlanta, GA with its theme "Spartans Making the Difference. The Executive Board of the Association reported in the midst of the civil war, a much needed generator was installed at B.W. Harris School.

The fourth convention was held in 1996, hosted by the Tri-State Chapter in Staten Island, NY with its theme "Reaching Out To Make A Difference". As the members convened, a cloud of uncertainty hovered over B.W. Harris School due to a renewed outbreak of civil hostilities. This resulted in massive looting of equipment and supplies, most of which replaced by the association.

In 1997, the fifth convention was held in Minneapolis, MN and hosted by the Minnesota Chapter with its theme “Rebuilding For The Future" The Executive Board announced that B.W. Harris School was being renovated by the association. Rev. H. Budu Shannon was elected the association's second National Chairman.

In 1998, Metro Chapter ( DC, MD, VA ) hosted the sixth convention in Washington, DC with its theme " We Have Made A Difference". The Executive Board announced the renovation of the school's cafeteria, shipment of books and supplies and numerous scholarships awarded to needy students. The board also informed the membership about the association's subsidy of Principal's salary and greater collaboration of alumni representatives in Liberia, Joseph Brent and Cyril Jones with the Board Of Trustees of B. W. Harris School.

In 1999, the seventh convention was held in Detroit. MI, hosted by the Midwest Chapter with its theme " Our School, Our Country and Still We Rise". Numerous supplies, instructional materials were shipped and a generator was installed at the school. Charles Hansford was elected the association's third National Chairman.

In 2000, the eighth convention was held in Providence, RI and hosted by the Rhode Island Chapter with its theme "

In 2001, the ninth convention was held in Houston, TX, hosted by the Texas Chapter with its theme "Looking Beyond The Inevitable".. The board announced scholarship awards, shipment of books, materials, computers and software, biology lab equipment and creation of the association's web page with Milton Ricks as architect.

In 2002, the tenth convention was held in Silver Spring, MD, hosted by Metro Chapter with its theme "Our Pride and Our Promise: The First Decade".. The board announced the completion of the school's biology and chemistry labs.

In 2003, the eleventh convention was held in Staten Island, NY, hosted by the Tri-State Chapter with its theme "Perseverance & Achievement The Second Decade". The board announced the success of its cafeteria lunch project for students of B.W. Harris School. The association elected its fourth and first female National Chairman, Wilhelmina Wilson-Aniteye.

In 2004, the twelveth convention was held in Charlotte, NC, hosted by the North Carolina Chapter with its theme "The Future Belongs To The Doer". The board announced the rehabilitation of the computer lab and acquisition of more than twenty computers. It also initiated repair of the school's building roof damaged during the war.

In 2005, the thirteenth convention was held in Atlanta, GA, hosted by the Georgia Chapter with its theme "Restoring The Hope: Preserving The Dream". The board announced ongoing infrastructure improvement at the school, launch of Spartan Newsletter with access on the web , outreach to business community and focus on financial accountability and transparency.

In 2006, the fourteenth convention was held in Minneapolis, MN and hosted by the Minnesota Chapter. The board announced shipment of complete curriculum set to facilitate a typing program and reading materials for the library. The Spartan promotional documentary and Spartan Brochure were developed to promote the work and projects of the association.

In 2007, the fifteenth convention was held in Detroit, MI, hosted by the Midwest Chapter with its theme "A Proud Legacy And Still Building For The Future". The board announced Chairman Wilhelmina Wilson's visit to Liberia interacting with Bishop Of the Episcopal Diocese of Liberia, Board of Trustees, school officials and students. The local alumni officers were installed by Chairman Wilson. Scholarship Committee Chairman, Joshua Cassell visited Liberia and awarded the association's scholarships to needy students. Alumnus Jimmy Neal was designated the association's representative on the B.W. Harris School Board of Trustee. The association elected its fifth National Chairman, Handel K.C. Diggs.

• In 2008, the sixteenth convention was held in Silver Spring, Maryland, hosted by the Metro Chapter of Maryland, DC and Virginia with its theme "A New Beginning". The highlights of Convention 2008 were:
  
• $17,000.00 approved for BWHES Teachers Salary Project
  
• Record-breaking 100+ Spartans registered for convention
  
• Unprecedented publication of two quarterly financial statements
  
• Increased BWHES scholarships from 10 to 15
  
• Induction of 10 Spartans in prestigious BWHAA Hall of Fame
  
• Published 4 Mighty Spartan Newsletters versus 2 in 2007
  
• Class of '83 celebrated 25th anniversary and donated $1500. to BWHAA
  
• Class of '88 celebrated 20th anniversary and donated $200. to BWHAA
  
• Transformed website into powerful medium
  
• Rhode Island Chapter reactivated and formation of Delaware Chapter
  
• Produced annual financial statement and budget for convention
  
• BWHAA Chairman's Medal of Honor(highest achievement award) presented to 2nd Vice National Chairman,
  
• Darren Wilkins and Financial Secretary, Yvonne Hansford
  
• Developed and executed communications initiative, "Live With National" - interfacing with chapters
  
• Created BWHES Endowment Fund to - Spartans will voluntarily designate BWHAA as beneficiary for $1,000. life insurance funds. Fund inaugurated with $1,000.00 life insurance funds from Chairman Handel K. Ciapha Diggs.
  
• A committee headed by Financial Secretary, Yvonne Hansford to formulate Standard Operating Procedures(SOP) Manual.

The association is focused on supporting projects that will transform and restore the pride of BWH:

(1) Renovation and facilities upgrade
(2) Vocational school expansion

The BWHAA Hall of Fame is now established to induct members who contribute $500.00 or more to the campaign. Induction will be a featured event at the convention ball. Donations and contributions to "Project BWH Pride" begins January 2, 2008 and can be expedited with PayPal or mailed to:

11140 Rockville Pike
# 121
Rockville, MD 20852