Special to The Truth
The Toledo Club of the National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. held their 56th Annual Cotillion Informational Tea on Sunday, December 17, 2023 at the Indiana Avenue Baptist Church’s Fellowship Hall, 640 Indiana Avenue at 2:00p.m.
“Welcome to the 56th informational session. We’re excited to return after three years of missing in action. We’re excited to celebrate you young ladies,” said Karen Jarrett, Cotillion Co-Chairman.
The purpose of the Tea was to provide Information about the Toledo Cotillion to prospective Debutantes, Debs-In-Waiting and their parents by the Cotillion Committee. The Tea allowed committee members to introduce themselves and provide an opportunity for questions and answers to the Parents. A video presentation of events from previous Cotillions was also presented at the Tea. The scheduled cotillion programs will begin in January and will continue through the Cotillion Ball which will be held on May 25, 2024 at The Premier Banquet Hall.
“Welcome to this new season. We have been working together as a team with the chair and co-chair to ensure this is a once in a lifetime monumental experience,” explained Toledo Club of the National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. President Tyra Smith.
A Talent Contest for the Debutantes is one of the featured events of the Toledo Cotillion. The Debutantes are invited to show-case their talents in front of a live audience on one of the evenings during the mid-season of the Toledo Cotillion. Talents on display by Debutantes from previous Cotillions have included singing, dancing including ballet and modern dancing, spoken word, performance on musical instruments and much, much more. Recognition is provided for the Top Three Performances.
For the first time in the history of the organization a group has come forward and accepted the position of Golden Sponsor for the Toledo Cotillion. The Taylor Automotive Family has agreed to become a Golden Sponsor. The Taylor Automotive Family, will present Debutantes for the Top Three Performances of the Talent Contest with cash awards. Terry Crosby, the Taylor Ambassador, was present at the Tea to make the announcement.
Each year, members of the Toledo Club perform a campaign throughout northwest Ohio to provide funds to be awarded as scholarships to participants in the Toledo Cotillion. Contributions and grants from donors are deeply appreciated and are 100% committed to the Debutantes. All donations are welcomed and are included in the List of Corporate Sponsors for the Toledo Club.
The top three finishers for the Miss Debutante competition in the Toledo Cotillion will receive cash awards from The Toledo Club and The Taylor Automotive Family.
“It’s an honor to be here at the information tea and an honor to support the cotillion,” shared Terry Crosby. “I’ve had a great life, I played the NBA, played basketball in Europe but I want to be remembered for helping and supporting people. That is my true calling. Thank you to the committee and congrats to each of you.”
Young ladies that are participating as a Deb or Deb-In-Waiting must complete the in-person screening set for January 13 from 10:00am-2:00pm.
The University of Toledo will also provide cash awards to be used for tuition for any of the Debutantes.
Area High School Participants attending were, Bowsher High School, Central Catholic High School, Notre Dame Academy, Rogers High School, St. Ursula Academy, Scott High School, Springfield High School, Start High School, Sylvania Northview, and Sylvania Southview.
Cotillion Committee members are Wilma Brown, Chairman; Karen Jarrett, Denise Cardwell, Deborah Carlisle, Beverly Tucker, Denise Black Poon, Dennis Jarrett and Larry Cardwell. The Toledo Club is led by Tyra Smith, President.
