Deputy Director
NAVFAC BRAC Program Management Office East
&
International Program Committee Member
South Atlantic Region Representative
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
A twenty-nine (30) year career civil servant, Thuane is employed with the Department of Defense. She has worked at the former Charleston Naval shipyard as a Materials Engineer and Supervisor of the Chemical and Environmental Laboratories in the Quality Assurance Division; Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) as an Environmental Remedial Project Manager, a Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR), a Business Liaison Officer and a Private Public Venture Housing Program Manager. She currently serves as the Deputy Director/Base Closure Manager of the Department of the Navy's Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Program Management Office East. In this capacity, she develops and implements strategies in conjunction with local, state and federal officials to expeditiously convey property to communities for timely economic redevelopment. She is a recipient of the Navy Meritorius Civilian Award and numerous Special Act Awards.
Thuane was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 1985 at Lambda Theta Chapter, Clemson University. Since initiation, she has been an active member of Gamma Xi Omega Chapter, Charleston, South Carolina having served in various leadership positions. She is the chapter's 1st Legacy President (her mother served in 1968). Additionally, she has served on committees within the South Atlantic region and International levels of the sorority. Immediately prior to her appointment to the International Program Committee, Thuane served as the Cluster Coordinator for Cluster VI and Chairman of the Cluster Coordinator's Council for the South Atlantic Region. She has been recognized by her chapter as Soror of the Year.
A graduate of the Office of Personnel Management Women's Executive Leadership Program, NAVFAC's Leadership Development Program and a recognized certified facilitator and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, she has served her community as a member of the Charleston County School District #20 Constituent Board, the Junior League of Charleston, Inc., Buist Parent/Teacher Student Association and Charleston Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Currently, she continues to serve her community as a member of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), Burke High School Band Booster Club, Academic Magnet High School's Parent/Teacher Student Association and the Charleston (SC) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated.
She is a member of Morris Street Baptist Church in Charleston, South Carolina where she serves as Organist, a Choral Director and Young Adult Sunday School Teacher.
Thuane is married to Mark J. Fielding and they are the proud parents of M. Jeffrey, Jr. (a graduate of Hampton University and candidate for MBA) and Semaj Mahnay (a 9th grader at Academic Magnet High School).
Pastor, Charity Missionary Baptist Church, North Charleston, SC.
From the small farming community of Bennett's Point, SC. and nearby Charleston,
Rev. Nelson B. Rivers, III, son of Merelyn and the late Nelson Rivers, Jr., is a preacher
of the Gospel, civil rights professional, and community organizer. He has served as the
guest preacher at churches in 23 states from Florida to California and Hawaii.
Rev. Rivers is married to the former Carolyn Smalls of Charleston and has four children
and six grandchildren. He received his bachelor's degree from Wiberforce University
in Ohio. He was ordained at the Olivet Baptist Church of Christ in Fayetteville, GA.
by the late Dr. Howard W. Creecy, Sr. He is pursuing his Master of Divinity at
Erskine Theological Seminary, Due West, SC.
In 2014, he was appointed Vice President for Religious Affairs and External Relations by Rev. Al Sharpton for the National Actional Network (NAN). He is responsible for increasing the impact of NAN's actions and leadership in the work for justice and civil rights by maintaining, increasing and strengthening its partnerships with the Black Church and other faith communities to motivate an even more active and engaged prophetic work for justice. Rev. Rivers is also charged with engaging the involvement with NAN's advocacy and action campaigns from labor unions, fraternities, sororities, civic organizations, professional associations, other civil rights groups and African American constituencies within major corporations. He also serves as the co-president of the Charleston Area Justice Ministry (CAJM).
In September 2008, Rev. Rivers became the Pastor of Charity Missionary Baptist Church in the Liberty Hill Community of North Charleston, SC. He is committed to preaching and teaching the Word of the liberating "good news" of Jesus Christ. Under his leadership, more than 450 members have joined the Charity family! Charity is blessed with 40 active ministries. Charity's scriptural focus is Ephesians 4:3 "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
For over 38 years Rev. Rivers has worked at every level of the NAACP, including President, North Charleston SC Branch; Executive Director, South Carolina State Conference; Director, Southeast Region; Chief Operating Officer, twice as Chief of Field Operations, and Vice President of Stakeholder Relations from 2008 unitl May 2014. Rev. Rivers led the NAACP's successful efforts to significantly increase the Association's support from various key stakeholders including the Black church, faith groups, civic groups, fraternities, sororities and civil rights and progressive organizations.
His work led to the election of more than 300 new Black elected officials in South Carolina between 1986 and 1994. He was a leading organizer of the largest civil rights demonstration in the history of South Carolina when over 50,000 marched on the state capitol in January 2000 to demand the removal of the Confederate Battle Flag.
He is on the Board of Trustees of Wilberforce University. From 1994 to 1998, he serves as president of the university's alumni association. During his tenure, membership tripled and the alumni contributed over $2 million to the univesity. Rev. Rivers has appeared on various radio and television programs including NPR, CNN, 60 Minutes, and BET Tonight with Ed Gordon among others. He had a speaking role in the movie Separate but Equal starring Sidney Poiter.
He has received numerous awards for his civil rights and community work, including:
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Order of the Palmetto, the State of South Carolina's highest award
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Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree, Wilberforce University
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Induction in Wilberforce University Association Hall of Fame
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Induction into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame
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2003 Harvey Gantt Triumph Award recipient, Greater Charleston YWCA
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Medger Evers Award of Excellence as the top NAACP staff professional
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Honored with month of October, 2008 South Carolina African american Heritage Calendar
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Among 10 Outstanding People of 2009 by Post and Courier
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The Rev. Julius C. Hope Award, 14th National Religious Leader Summit, 2012
Rev. Rivers is guided by the words of Jesus the Christ found in the Gospel of Mark 10:43: "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant." He is honored to serve as a servant of the people of God!
The 2015 Theme: "Strong Roots of Perseverance" serves this 2015 Convention in a most remarkable way which reaches out to every past member for the strong roots in the organization's foundation. I extend my appreciation to those members in acknowledging the importance in the life learning educational experience gained in all divisions of the National Institute of Cosmeology (NIC), while matriculating toward higher levels of professionalism in the beauty industry. And, to appreciate the present members in preserving the legacy that we are now living. We are all aware of the fact that there will always be those that will forget their roots. As members, may WE FORGETnever where we started from.
I will continue to work toward uplifting the standards of this wonderul organization to include the very best presenters, teachers, and speakers alluding to the importance of education far beyond being a recipient of a license in the beauty industry. The National Institute of Cosmetology (NIC) is about education, education, and more education.
Students and professionals are welcome into the classes, because each bring a great desire to be taught, and their sharing gives strength to classmates. From this experience comes unity which gives strength to solidify an even stronger foundation in education and knowledge.
I look forwad to working along with the wonderful National Beauty Culturists' League Incorporated Sponsors: Bronner Brothers International Hair Shows, Silk2 Hair Systems, StoneTree, LLC, Sally Beauty Company, BIGEN Hair Care Products, Proud Lady Show (AHBAI), Dr. Lafayette Jones (Segmented Marketing) SMSI, Urban Call, Mr. Lorenzo Jones, Arosci Hair Care Products, Mr. Kenneth Settles, Kay Vel Hair Products, Mr. Joe Walker, JWE Enterprises, Newtek, and Dr. Thomas Watkins, Jr., Publisher, Daily Challenge and Afro Times. To each, I am most appreciative of all courtesies extended.
I am thankful for the confidence of support extended to me from this wonderful family of professional members in this organization, and as president through my spiritual faith in Jesus Christ I will continue to be your servant leader in...
LOVE & PEACE!
