Gamma Phi delta Foundation
Board members
Lyndia Grant, National President
Delighted to serve as president of the esteemed Gamma Phi Delta Foundation, Lyndia has served as a member of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority for more than 35 years. During her tenure in the sorority, she served in every role in the chapter except finance. Positions have ranged from Chapter President, to Regional Director, Assistant Regional Director, Grammateus, Youth Advisor and Editor, to appointments by three national presidents.
Lyndia Grant is a seasoned talk show host and founderof The Lyndia Grant Show – “Think on These Things.” The show airs on Radio One on WYCB AM, Washington, DC every Friday at 6:00 pm.
Detroit became her home-away-from-home for 15 years when she was hired as the event planner and fundraiser by Lewis College of Business, Michigan’s only historically black college. Raising hundreds of thousands of dollars from some of Motown’s favorites like Ford Motor Company, Motown Museum, Chrysler, and General Motors. She enjoyed commuting back-and-forth to Detroit to meet with sponsors. Some of the honorees included Congressman John Conyers, The Winans, Martha Reeves, basketball star, Grant Hill, and actress Kim Fields.
She is a nationally know syndicated newspaper columnist. Her Religion Corner was picked up by the National Newspapers Association (NNPA); and by Black Press USA, read by readers of nearly one thousand black owned newspapers nationally.
A professional speaker/trainer, Lyndia is a member of the Les Brown Platinum speakers. She served as special guest speaker for the Office of the Lt. Governor, US Virgin Islands, the Island of St. Croix, for state employees flown in from St. Martins and St. John.
Experienced with events coordination, Lyndia has coordinated major ranging from two U.S. Presidents, Democrats and Republicans, two DC Mayors, to several DC City Council Members.
A national monument maker, Lyndia served as project director of the African American Civil War Memorial from the 1991 groundbreaking to the 1998 unveiling; you can see Lyndia on CNN, CSPAN, as the unveiling was seen on 163 TV stations across the nation and around the world.
Lyndia earned her BA degree and MA degree in the field of Communications from Trinity Washington University.
LaVerne Wilson, National Vice-President
La Verne Wilson is Vice President of the Gamma Phi Delta Foundation, Inc. and has been a member of the board since November 2007, appointed by Dr. Willie B. Kennedy and served as Director of Scholarships from then to present. She is a Life Member of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc., and on the national level, she is a Past Editor-in-Chief of which she served for 12 years, 1994-2006. She is the developer and manager of the Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc. website and in 2004 she received the Rose Pin Award, one of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc.’s highest honors. In 2014, she received the honor of becoming a Living Pearl, another high honor in Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc. She also recently received the 40-year Pin and the Gem Pin awards at the 2016 National Convention.
She was the Far Western Regional Editor of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc., from 1991 to 2002 and currently serves in that position since 20ll. In 1993 she received the honor of Far Western Region Woman of the Year and in 2001 earned the distinction of Far Western Region Editor Emeritus. Director Wilson is the publisher of The Echoes of the Far Western Region and the creator and publisher of the Sister to Sistah Newsletter, both publications of the Far Western Region.
Director Wilson has been a member of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc., Delta Chi Chapter since 1974. On the chapter level she has held the positions of President, 2nd Vice President, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Rosebud Advisor, Junior Cavalier/Cavalier Advisor and currently serves as Chapter President. In 1991 she received a National Helping Hands Award for her efforts in starting a new Undergraduate Chapter, Delta Xi, in Berkeley, CA, and many other awards on the regional and national levels of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc.
In addition, she serves as the Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW Auxiliaries, Department of California Youth Activities Chairman, dedicated to ensuring that all Veterans, youth, their families and the communities are aware of the programs that the VFW offers in California. Director Wilson is also the owner and operator of Wilson Streamline Photography and Printing. She resides in Los Angeles, California. After 56 years of marriage to the late Ellis Wilson, she is a widow of five years with ten wonderful children and their spouses, twenty-six outstanding grandchildren and thirteen beautiful great-grandchildren.
Katie Broughton, Immediate Past President
Katie Broughton is the Immediate Past President of Gamma Phi Delta Foundation, Inc. (October 2011-July 2016). She is also a Lifetime Member of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc. Katie has served in several leadership positions on the local, regional and national level: Chapter President (1990-1994); Regional Director (2007-2009); National Secretary (1994- 1998) and National 2nd Vice President (1998-2006).
She is a hard worker and dedicate much of her efforts toward community service. In 1998, Katie was appointed to serve on the “Dwight D. Eisenhower People-to People Program” for the purpose of studying educational archived records in Taipei, Taiwan. Katie graduated from The University of Houston with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Also, she received a dual Bachelor’s Degree from Liberty University (Major: Psychology with Minor in Theology). She is retired and currently resides in Houston, Texas while enjoying all aspects of her lifestyle such as traveling, shopping and doll collection.
Mary E. Porter, Board Member
In 1997 Mary joined Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc. as a charter member of Mu Omicron Chapter in the Eastern Region. Mary has enjoyed almost 20 years of uninterrupted service with GPD. She is a life member and a Gamma Girl for life. During her almost 20 years, she has held the chapter positions of Basileus, First Anti-Basileus, Second Anti-Basileus, Tamias, finance chairperson, fundraiser chairperson, social action chairperson and membership chairperson. In addition, she has also held the Regional positions of Regional Financial Grammateus and Assistant Regional Director. On the national level, she has served on the National Finance Committee for the past four years, the National Scholarship Committee and the National Scrapbook Committee.
Dr. Veronica Yates-Riley, Board Member
Veronica Yates-Riley is from Orlando, Florida and has extensive experience in the fields of administration supervision, technology, and communication. Her major strengths are: public speaking, personnel development, curriculum and instruction, communication and customer service. Yates-Riley has a variety of certifications including an Advanced Communicator Bronze (ACB) from Toastmasters International. She is also an experienced presenter and frequently gives presentations at conferences. Her community service affiliations include: Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, The Links Incorporated, Jones High School Historical Society and St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Patricia Brown, Treasurer
Patricia is the daughter of the late William C. and Janie L. Brown, mother of one son, grandmother of nine and great grandmother of five. She retired as a Manager from the State of California after 30 years.
She is a member of Century Chapel C.M.E. Church in Sacramento, California, where she works as the Administrative Assistant to the Pastor, Vice Chairperson of the Finance Board, and Recording Steward. Previously served eight years as the Local Missionary Society President. Additionally, Patricia serves on the District Level as a member of the Compilation Committee and the Northern California Region as the Finance Chairperson. Patricia makes herself available to assist whenever needed.
Patricia is a member of Delta Chapter, Gamma Phi Delta Business and Professional Women Sorority for 10 years, were she served as the Treasurer and President. At the past Far Western Regional Conference, she was elected as the Far Western Regional Director.
Patricia enjoys serving as a member of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority and in her local church. She believes that her faith in God is what keeps her going. She states, "She can do all things through Christ who strengthens her and provides her with all of her needs."
Lenor Resse, National President - Gamma Phi Delta Sorority
Lenor Reaves Reese is the 13th National President of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc. A Life Member of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc., Mrs. Reese has served the sorority at the National, regional and chapter levels.
Mrs. Reese was initiated into Mu Omicron Chapter on May 24, 1997 as a charter member serving as the chapter’s first President. In addition, she served as the First Vice-President (Membership), Second Vice-President (Scholarships), Financial Secretary and Youth Advisor. She has also served as the Eastern Region Director and Eastern Assistant Region Director.
She was employed in the Federal government for 33 years and retired as the Director of the Human Resources Policy Division (Headquarters) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, DC.
She is committed to serving the community and gives untiringly of her time.
Vicki Castleberry, Board Member
Vicki B. Castleberry was born September 6, 1957, in Palestine, Texas. She was given the name Vicki by the nurse that assisted in her delivery, stating that in French Vicki meant beautiful and strong. She is a member of the Nu Chapter Gamma Phi Delta Sorority in Tyler, Texas where she has held many offices since 2005. She has also served on The Foundation Board for several years.
Vicki worked for thirty-two years in Public Education, seventeen years as a coach, and fifteen years in administration before retiring and starting her own business, Rene’s Salon & Boutique. Vicki has also been in cosmetology for more than twenty-five years. She has extensive experience in working with children of all ages in public education. Since retiring Vicki spends part of her time assisting high school students with college classes.
Vicki attends Greater Saint Mary Baptist Church and serves in the Health Ministry, Usher Board and is a Deaconess. She lives in Coffee City, on Lake Palestine, Texas, with her husband Marquis and dog Petey.
Verna McCallister, Financial Secretary
Verna McCallister is a native of California, born and raised in San Diego and now lives in Oakland. She has a BS degree in Marketing. She is retired from Johnson and Johnson where she was a Retail District Manager with 20 people reporting to her. She had the largest territory in the United States which was Northern CA and NV, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. She currently works as a substitute teacher in the San Leandro School District. She has served in both National Financial positions for Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc. and now she is the Far Western Regional Director. She currently serves as the Northern California Region Missionary Vice President of the CME Church and works in her local church. She has four grandchildren and stays extremely busy.
Deborah Hudson, Board Member
Deborah Hudson is a member of the Southern Region Alpha Pi Chapter in Montevallo, Alabama. She is a devoted member since 1995 serving on various committees and offices. She served as chapter President, Vice President, Youth Adviser, Undergraduate Chapter Adviser, Assistant Regional Director, Regional Director, Regional Youth Adviser, and National Literature Review Committee. Hudson is also a Lifetime Member, Heritage Tile, and Plant a Brick Participate. She is involved in community and church activities such as: Council Member District 5 Town of Wilton, Mayor Pro-Tem, and 11th Area Community Action Board Member. Hudson obtained a Bachelor degree in Business Administration with a double Major in Marketing and Management from The University of Montevallo in 1978.
Joesther Bursie, Board Member
Joesther Bursie has been a life member of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority since 1998. She has held many positions while serving nationally. While Bursie was the Supreme 1st Basileus, she set new records in new chapter development, recruitment and designed new membership documents including: "Putting The Pieces Together." She also redeveloped the national membership recruiting process and materials. She provided training for local and regional national officers in the use of the new procedures.
Bursie is the recipient of the Ambassadors award for membership and the recipient of the Supreme Basileus Award for meritorious service.
She received a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D from United Baptist Seminary.
Bursie has worked in school social work for Detroit Public Schools for 25 years.