Black Culture Foundation Welcomes New Royalty

The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation now has a new Senior King and Queen. Mansie Booker and Joyce Payne were crowned as the respective Senior King and Queen during the annual awards ceremony, held this year on Feb. 6 invitation-only event. Born in L.A., Senior Queen Payne is an educator who worked as a teacher, vice principal and principal for the San Bernardino City Unified School District. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history, and an administrative credential from Cal State San Bernardino. Payne also studied pre-doctoral studies at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, and earned a master's degree in educational administration from Boston State College. Payne was a longtime principal at Dr. Howard Inghram Elementary School and completed her career at Davidson Elementary School. Additionally, Payne has taught in Peach County, Georgia, and at Middlesex Community College in Burlington, Massachusetts, also serving on the school board in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Though recently retired, Payne continues to be active in her San Bernardino area community; at Temple Missionary Baptist Church, she works as the director of Christian education. Payne is also a charter member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc, Delta Rho Chapter, which works to bring scholarships and other educational opportunities to local young women. She is also a board member with Our Children Sing; a former board member of the California State University Alumni Board; and a lifetime alumni member of Cal State San Bernardino. Payne also participates in community outreach programs that address parenting, literacy, career development and goal-setting for students. Senior King Booker was born in Burlington, North Carolina, the youngest of two children. When Booker was four, his family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. Upon his high school graduation in 1962 from J.W. Ligon High School, Booker entered the United States Air Force, where he served a 26 year career. Additionally, Booker has been an active member of the Highland Family YMCA and Temple Missionary Baptist Church, where he puts his production skills to use. Annually, Booker provides the Black Culture Foundation a video profile of the Humanitarian of the Year awardees, and also videotapes the nonprofit organization's annual Black Rose awards event. Booker is the father of two children, has seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He attended Yuba College, The University of Maryland, University of Oklahoma and The University of Minnesota and is a graduate of the Community College of the Air Force. [END] Original Press release sent by Dr. Margaret Hill: The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation has announced the 2015 Senior King and Queen awardees, who will be crowned Feb. 6 at the annual . They are Joyce Payne and Mansie Booker and they will be crowned Friday, February 6, 2015. This is an invitation only event, so if you would like to attend, please contact Margaret Hill at (909) 864-3267. Here is a little information about our new royalty: JOYCE PAYNE – SENIOR QUEEN Joyce Payne was born in Los Angeles, CA, and attended school there. She received her Bachelor of Arts in History and her Administrative Credential from California State University, San Bernardino, Pre-Doctorial Studies at Mercer University, Macon, GA and Master of Educational Administration from Boston State College. Joyce has been a teacher, vice principal and principal for the San Bernardino City Unified School District and recently retired. She was a long time principal at Dr. Howard Inghram Elementary School but completed her career at Davidson Elementary School. She also taught in Peach County, Georgia, and Middlesex Community College, Burlington, Massachusetts. She also served on the school board in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Joyce is very active in the community. She is a member of Temple Missionary Baptist Church where she is the director of Christian education. Other activities include: Charter member of National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc., Delta Rho Chapter, Our Children Sing, Board of Directors, Former Member, California State University Alumni Board, Lifetime Alumni Member, California State University, San Bernardino. She also participates in Community Outreach Programs addressed parenting, literacy, career development and goal setting. MANSIE BOOKER – SENIOR KING Mansie Booker, Jr. was born in Burlington, North Carolina on March 18, 1944 to Rev. Mansie Booker, Sr. and Gladys Marie Booker. He is the youngest of two children. At the age of four his family relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina where he received his elementary education at St. Monica’s Catholic School. He graduated from J.W. Ligon High School in 1962 and entered the United States Air Force. In addition to the above, Mansie has been an active member of the Highland Family YMCA and Temple Missionary Baptist Church where he continues to use his production skills. Annually Mansie provides the Black Culture Foundation a video profile of the Humanitarian of the Year awardees. He also videotapes the annual Black Rose event. Mansie is widowed and is the father of two children, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He attended Yuba College, The University of Maryland, University of Oklahoma and The University of Minnesota and is a graduate of the Community College of the Air Force.