DEBBIE NORRELL

When I was approached about joining Toastmasters I asked the sponsors if I could win any awards and they said yes, I was in. I like winning and the thought of receiving a trophy or plaque excites me. I love to see people receive accolades. When I was a student in school I couldn’t run or play sports and I didn’t think that I would ever be able to do anything that would earn a trophy. Now I have so many trophies that I am running out of space. They reside in my home office, living room and on my desk at work. It feels good to win and you should never feel bad about winning.
 At the time of joining I didn’t think I needed much help speaking, but I have learned so much as a member of Toastmasters. As a member of the communications business in my outside life Toastmasters has expanded my horizons. I can now master the entertaining speech, the humorous speech and love to do impromptu speeches also know as “Table Topics” in the world of Toastmasters.
I have been speaking professionally since 1975 and truly enjoy it. My first time as a public speaker was a scary time, but via self talk I told myself that I needed to get my butterflies flying in formation. It worked and I’ve been speaking every since with confidence and panache.
Reportedly speaking in public is one of the most difficult things for some people to do. Being a good speaker gives you confidence and people will like to hear you talk. Don’t fall into that trap you may have fell into in high school or middle school where you don’t want to outshine your peers. You are an adult now and it is all about you. If you see someone that you admire their speaking ability ask them to be your mentor.
I’ve always worked on changing things that I don’t like about myself, from my fear of speaking in front of crowds to being a better friend and co-worker. Oh yes, people can change, they just have to want to change.
I have a quote on my wall at work, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take!” I first saw this quote about 14 years ago and now look at it daily. It reminds me to stop talking myself out of opportunities and to go for the brass ring every time. I am a big fan of motivational speaker, Les Brown. He can speak extemporaneously and that was a goal of mine to become a speaker of that caliber, I am proud to say that now I am a graduate of Les Browns’ “Speaking for a Living” workshop and he considers me a friend. I am a much sought after speaker in my community and circle. I’ve introduced some very famous people and emceed events in the tri-state area. Toastmasters has enhanced my speaking abilities and it is wonderful to add my Toastmaster accomplishments to my bio and resume.  
Shine on! Debbie Norrell is an award winning speaker and a Toastmaster Competent Communicator.
(Email the columnist at deb­bie­ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )

SGT. ELITE PIERRE

Sergeant First Class Elite Pierre, born and raised in Pittsburgh and a graduate of Peabody High School in 1998, has become a first class contributor to his community and his country since joining the National Guard several years ago. After serving as a specialist he was promoted to sergeant and moved to Fort Dix in New Jersey to train soldiers for overseas combat.  After three years he was promoted to sergeant first class. Some of his significant achievements:
•He made the front page for “Army Times” Magazine A Gannett Company in Springfield, Va., in July of 2011.
•He spoke at the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program in Chicago, October 2012. His video is posted on YouTube.
•He won Human Recourses Command, Non Commission Officer awards for 2012. His video is posted on YouTube.
•He spoke at the Brother to Brother Academy in Elizabethtown, Ky. His video is posted on YouTube.
•He recently established his own business called “Only the Elite.” His video is posted on YouTube.
His parents, Rosemarie and Erie Pierre and other relatives are still in Pittsburgh. 

STRIKING A POSE—Deborah Riley Draper with Pat Cleveland (Photos by Debbie Norrell)

On March 3, the crowd that attended “Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution” very likely did not know what they were in for. What they did know is that their presence was requested by Demeatria Boccella, founder and artistic director of FashionAFRICANA for the Pittsburgh Premiere Screening of “Versailles’73.”
Guests knew that they would be in the presence of fashion royalty, super model Pat Cleveland; Nikki Taylor, Editor at Large of the iconic Essence Magazine; and Deborah Riley Draper director of “Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution.”  The film follows the iconic fashion effrontery at the Chateau de Versailles in 1973 between five American designers and five French designers.  The event began as a fundraiser to raise money to restore the Palace of Versailles but became a fierce competition. America with great clothes and a color barrier-breaking collective of Black models who sashayed down the runway, won over the crowd and secured American fashion’s place on the world stage.
After the screening the audience was invited to ask questions of Cleveland, Taylor and Draper. Draper said when she was invited to Pittsburgh; she thought Steelers and steel town, but not fashion. She says she was pleasantly surprised at the fashionable side of Pittsburgh.  
The crowd loved the film and was excited to have witnessed this important piece of Black history and American history.  Guests enjoyed a dessert reception catered by Savoy restaurant and thanked FashionAFRICANA for another unique evening.
Spotted: Janis Burley Wilson; Kiya Tomlin; Jarvis Powers; Carol Neyland; Yvette Flaxman; Miyoshi Anderson; Jovon Higgins-Mitchell with Nate; Orlana Darkins Drewery; Darnell McLaurin, co-founder FashionAFRICANA; and Sabrina Clark.

Orientation of Deacons
    MARCH 15—New Zion Baptist Church, 1434 Juniata St., North Side, will host an Ordination of Deacons at 7 p.m. This will be the trial of Deacons Carol Myers and Paul Owens. For more information, call 412-322-3838.
Women’s Breakfast
    MARCH 16—Solid Rock Church, 1400 Buena Vista St., North Side, will host a Women’s Breakfast from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The theme is “The Fragrance of Prayer” with guest speaker Pastor June Jeffries of New Life Baptist Church. Tickets are $15. For more information, call 412-904-3170.
Annual Usher/
Missionary Days
    MARCH 17—Antioch Baptist Church, 332 Elizabeth St., Sewickley, will host its Annual Usher and Missionary Days Celebration with Family and Friends at 10:45 a.m. The theme is “    There is No Greater Love than Family and Friends.” Dinner will be served immediately following the service. For more information, call 412-741-7688 or visit www.antiochfwbapittsburghsewickley.org.
45th Church Anniversary
    MARCH 17—Northside Institutional COGIC, 302 W. North Ave., North Side, will host a 45th Church Anniversary Celebration. The guest speaker will be Elder Matthew Brown of Georgia. Dinner will be served immediately following the morning service. All are welcomed. For more information, call 412-231-LOVE.
International Holiday
Program
    MARCH 17—The Educational Board of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 330 4th St., Rankin, will host its International Holiday Program at 4 p.m. The guest speaker will be Dr. Curtiss Porter, chancellor of the Penn State Greater Allegheny Campus. Proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund. For more information, call Sondra Barbour at 412-867-6694.
Women’s Brunch
    MARCH 23—The SHOUT (Sisters Hanging Out United in Truth) Women’s Ministry of Union Baptist Church of Swissvale, 2117 Collingwood Ave., Swissvale, will host a Women’s Brunch from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Every fourth Saturday of the month, women will come together for food, fun and fellowship to praise the Lord and hear a Word from a woman of faith. For more information, call Synthia Brown at 412-862-6750.
Songfest
    MARCH 23—The Shepherd Ministry of Morning Star Baptist Church, 812 Oak St., West Mifflin, will host Songfest at 6 p.m. This will be the evening of praising the Lord through song. There will be choirs, groups and soloists from the Pittsburgh area. For more information, call 412-461-7861.
Palm Sunday
    MARCH 24—Jerusalem Baptist Church, 123 Steuben St., West End, will host a Palm Sunday Service at 11 a.m. There will be a message from guest messenger Rev. Benita Lewis of Washington, D.C. For more information, call 412-921-0822.
Benefit Concert
    MARCH 25—Diakonia Ministries Inc. will host “Like The Dawn” Benefit Concert at 7 p.m. at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave., East Liberty. The concert will feature Jessie Corbin, the Band Cities, the Bethany Baptist Singers and more. There will also be a dessert reception and auction at 6 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Diakonia Ministries. For more information, call 412-731-8037 or visit www.diakoniapgh.org.
Good Friday Service
    MARCH 29—Holy Spirit Fellowship Church, 1100 6th St., New Brighton, will host its Good Friday Service 2013 at 9:30 a.m. The theme is “Thank God it’s Friday” with guest speaker Rev. Marvin Moreland of Deliverance Temple COGIC. Breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. Registration is requested and all are welcomed. For more information, call 724-728-1064.
    (To have items listed on the Church Circuit, send information at least two weeks in advance to: 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219; Fax: 412-481-1360 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .)