Dt. April Lewis
In the charming town of Cambridge, Maryland, nestled within Dorchester County, lives a remarkable
woman named April Lavonne Lewis. Her life is a tapestry woven with dedication, service, and leadership,
affecting not only her family but also her community.
April's educational journey began in Dorchester Public Schools. Graduating from Cambridge-South Dorchester High School, in 1986. She continued to cultivate her knowledge at The Washington School for Secretaries in 1997, which paved the way for her professional growth. With a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Management, April has skillfully navigated through various roles that have shaped her career. Today, she brings her wealth of experience in administration,
management, customer service, and accounting to her role as the Business Operations Manager at the University of Maryland – School of Dentistry in Baltimore.
Beyond her professional achievements, April is deeply committed to community service. As a dedicated member of the Prince Hall family, she holds the esteemed position of Worthy Matron of Oziel Chapter No.23 Order of the Eastern Star since 2022. Her leadership extends to roles such as District Deputy Grand Associate Matron for District 4 and Imperial Directress for the March of Dimes within the Imperial
Court Daughters, Incorporated. Additionally, she is the Current Illustrious Commandress for Abu LaHab Court No. 189 and the Past Commandress for 2023, along with secretarial duties for the Ladies of the Circle of Perfection Hannah Court No. 4 and the Heroines of Jericho-Salisbury, UD Court. April contributes her talents as the Royal Martha for Unity Court of Cyrene No. 2 and proudly carries the standard as the Standard Bearer for John H. Jones, Jr. Assembly #284 Order of the Golden Circle.
April's involvement with the Progressive of Dorchester Temple #224 of the Improved, Benevolent, Protective, Order of the Elks spans an impressive three decades. Throughout this time, she has held numerous positions, including Financial Secretary, Recording Secretary, Trustee, Assistant Daughter Ruler, Vice Daughter Ruler, and Daughter Ruler within the Temple. Her leadership has also been recognized within the Council, where she has served as Loyal Recording Secretary, Loyal Vice-Daughter Ruler, and Loyal Daughter Ruler for two terms. Currently, April is a Grand District Deputy, president of the District Deputies Council, and the Vice President of the Eastern Shore Past Grand. She is also a “Finer Woman” of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Chi Zeta Chapter of Cambridge, Maryland.
April's story is one of continuous growth and unwavering commitment to her community. Her multifaceted achievements reflect a life dedicated to leadership, service, and the betterment of those around her. As a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she embodies the values of family, education, and community service, making her a true pillar of Cambridge, Maryland. Her legacy is not just in the titles she holds or the positions she has filled, but in the countless lives she has touched through her work and volunteerism.
April's story is a powerful reminder of how individual dedication can ripple outwards, creating waves of positive change. Her contributions to her profession and her community stand as a shining example of how passion, combined with action, can lead to meaningful change. April's journey encourages us to strive for excellence in our own lives and to contribute positively to the world around us.
1st Lt. Commandress: Dt. Lorraine Adams
2nd Lt. Commandress: Dt. Kwanza Briddell
High Priestess: Dt. Arnetta Marshall
Oriental Guide: Dt. Donyelle Cottingham
Recordress: Dt. Jacquelyn Grays
Asst. Recordress: Dt. Anne Watson-Waples, PC
Treasure: Dt. Antoinette Perry
Asst Treasurer: Dt. Henria Cross-Bowen, PC
1st Ceremonial Daughter: Dt. Katrice Kelly
2nd Ceremonial Daughter: Dt. Mildred Bell
Inside Spy: Dt. Pauline White, HPC
Outside Spy: Dt. Robin Bailey-Walls
Marshall: Dt. Jacqueline Veeney, PC
Asst. Marshall: Dt. Bonnie White
Imperial Dep for the Oasis: Dt. Michelle Briddell, PC
Noble Advisor: Noble Henry Ward Jr., PP
Finance/Budget
Jacquelyn Grays: Chair
Althea Foreman
Antoinette Perry
Robin Wilson
Audit
Lorraine Adams: Chair
Michelle Smack
Shukura Ellison
Jackie Veeney
By-Laws
Althea Foreman: Chair
Jackie Veeney
Michelle Smack
Robin Bailey-Walls
Arnishia Bowen
Robin Wilson
Ways & Means/Hospitality
Henria Bowen
Antoinette Perry
Kwanza Briddell
Rena Smack
Jackie Veeney
Michelle Smack
Donyelle Cottingham
Shenitta Smith
Annual Joint Ball
Lorraine Adams: Chair
Michelle Briddell
Michelle Smack,
Jackie Veeney
Robin Bailey-Walls
Antoinette Perry
Jackie Grays,
Henria Bowen
Kwanza Briddell
Katrice Kelly
Donyelle Cottingham
Marketing/Design
Kwanza Briddell: Chair
Henria Bowen
Kimberly Malone
Member/Investigation
Upper Shore – Catherine Boyer-Sterling: Chair, Jana Whittington, Jackie Veeney
Lower Shore – Michelle Briddell: Chair, Bonny White, Pauline White, Arnetta Marshall
Western Shore – Robin Wilson: Chair, Lorraine Adams, Angela Tillman, Jacquelyn Grays, Katrice Kelly, Mildred Bell
Creation
Jackie Veeney: Chair
Catherine Boyer-Sterling
Althea Foreman
Lorraine Adams
Michelle Smack
Fundraisers
Katrice Kelly: Chair
Arnetta Marshall
Henria Bowen
Kwanza Briddell
Shenitta Smith
Clara Savage
Mildred Bell
Tools for Schools
F. Victoria Hutt-Scott: Chair
Jana Whittington
Arnishia Bowen
Charity
Anne Watson-Waples: Chair
Sheryl Deshields
Arnishia Bowen
Robin Bailey-Walls
Shukura Ellison
Shenitta Smith
NAACP Coordinator
Lorraine Adams: Chair
Military Coordinator
Lorraine Adams: Chair
Bonny White
Court Photographers
Henria Bowen: Chair
Althea Foreman
Historian
F. Victoria Hutt-Scott: Chair
NCHI
Antoinette Perry: Chair
Lorraine Adams
Jana Whittington
Past Commandress Council
Althea Foreman: Chair
Jackie Veeney
Michelle Briddell
Anne Watson-Waples
Bonny White
Henria Bowen
Catherine Boyer-Sterling
Michelle Smack
April L. Lewis
DIMES
Anne Watson-Waples: Chair
Sheryl Deshields
Bonny White
Sickness and Distress
Katrice Kelly: Chair
Bonny White
Sheryl Deshields
Arnishia Bowen
Thanksgiving Feast
Arnetta Marshall: Chair
Catherine Boyer-Sterling
Kwanza Briddell
Mildred Bell, Donyelle Cottingham
Health/Wellness
Michelle Briddell: Chair
Althea Foreman
Bonny White
Anne Watson-Waples
Wardrobe/Apparel
Henria Bowen: Chair
Michelle Briddell
Robin Bailey-Walls
Jackie Grays
*We're currently updating this section—please check back soon for more details. In the meantime, feel free to connect with a Daughter of Abu La Hab Court No. 189 to learn more about our history and get additional information about the Court.
Court Address:
Ab La Hab Court No. 189
c/o Jacqueline Gray
6716 Berkshire Dr.
Temple Hills, MD 20748
Email - abulahabctno.189@gmail.com
Recordress email - jcgrays_doi@outlook.com
Commandress email - allewisdoi@gmail.com
Commandress cell - (667) 458-5137
Meeting Day/Time
First Sunday - 3pm
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Social Media Links:
Abu La Hab No. 189 Facebook Link