Salute To Excellence | Digital Program Booklet 2025-26 - Journal - Page 18
CBW MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD
GWENDOLYN JAMES
Gwendolyn James, a native of Calvert County, an entrepreneur, a business woman, a
creative, a wife of over 30 years , a mother of five and a Grammy to seven grandchildren.
She is also an event planner with over 20 years of experience under her belt.Through her
various events spanning weddings, graduation parties, backyard barbecues and baby
showers, Gwendolyn has prioritized hospitality and giving back to her community-keeping family first. When she is not making magic with flowers, food and familiar faces
she works at Northern High School serving up wisdom and positivity to her beloved local
students and staff as the Cafeteria Manager. Gwendolyn is active in her church Bethel
Way of the Cross Church Inc. and has helped abundantly to plan fundraisers, dinners and
fellowship events. Her children and husband can attest to many late nights spent typing
programs or arranging flowers and table arrangements to celebrate the many revered
people in her circle.
GWENDOLYN JAMES
Under the helm of Concerned Black Women, in which she has been a member of since
2007, Gwendolyn has been able to sharpen these talents and use them to assist with the
Education Scholarship and Youth Committee. She cherishes the value of education and
giving youth an opportunity to better themselves and be their best. Never one to look for
honor or praise and often one of the last to leave an event or whisper an encouraging word
on her way out the door, community service and lending a helping hand are pillars in
Gwendolyn’s daily walk. She is grateful to be part of such a dynamic organization and
even more honored to receive the Member of the Year Award for 2025.
CBW MEMBER FOR COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE AWARD
CASSANDRA D. OKWUMABUA
Cassandra D. Okwumabua is a tireless advocate and dedicated leader whose service has
advanced the mission and vision of Concerned Black Women (CBW) and strengthened the
surrounding community. Her steadfast commitment and leadership have been instrumental in
the success of countless initiatives.
Her long-standing involvement with CBW spans more than a decade, including continuous
service on the Planning Committee for the annual Salute to Excellence Awards &
Scholarship Fundraiser Luncheon from 2012 through 2025. She has co-chaired the event
multiple times, most notably leading the 20th-anniversary celebration in 2024. During the
organization’s first virtual fundraiser in 2022, she designed the inaugural run of show and
secured the great-grandson of W.E.B. Du Bois as the featured pro bono speaker. In addition,
she played a key role in planning and executing the 2025 CBW 5K Purple Up Community
Fun Run.
CASSANDRA D. OKWUMABUA
Beyond CBW, Cassandra has shared her expertise across numerous nonprofit organizations
and civic boards. She is an active member of the Calvert County League of Women Voters,
where she has served on the board, chaired the Legislative Evening, and contributed to the
Education Observer Team. With the Calvert Branch NAACP, she has worked on the Finance,
Program, and Women in the NAACP (WIN) committees and currently chairs the Sunshine
Committee. She also volunteers with BREM, supporting events focused on early breast
cancer detection.
Her leadership extends to government and community appointments. She has served
multiple terms on the Calvert County Adult Public Guardianship Review Board and was
appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to the Compensation Board. As a board
member of the Calvert Nature Society, she chaired Heritage Farm Day and served as board
secretary. In 2023, Governor Wes Moore appointed her to a four-year term on the Calvert
County Board of Elections, where she has championed greater community engagement. Her
written testimony in support of live-streamed Board of Elections meetings helped pave the
way for legislation now requiring them by law.
Cassandra’s exceptional service has been recognized through numerous awards, resolutions,
and citations, including the Calvert County Election Board Certificate of Excellence, an
official citation from the Maryland General Assembly, and a Certificate of Congressional
Recognition. A charter member of Omega Pi Omega, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she
chaired the chapter’s beautification project for Project Echo Homeless Shelter and volunteers
weekly at the Echo Thrift Store.
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A native of Memphis, Tennessee—the
