A Season of Celebration, Legacy, and Love

Dedrick Moone
Oct 20
2 min read

I can’t exactly yell “Aggie Pride!” anymore after marrying into the Shaw U family. It’s even harder to do so when the President and CEO, Dr. Paulette Dillard, personally selected my daughter, Haelee, as one of her presidential scholarship recipients.

So these days, it’s all about HBCU Pride or better yet, Shaw U, especially during homecoming season. There’s just something special about the energy, the legacy, and the community that HBCUs bring to the table.

When Dr. Dillard mentioned that she’d love to see me at the EPIC Gala or the game, I laughed and said, “Why not both?” The EPIC Gala is a black-tie celebration that brings together alumni, partners, and friends while raising vital funds to support students like Haelee. It’s an evening that reminds you why community matters and why giving back is so essential.

Speaking of giving back, there’s still time to make a difference! You can join me contributing directly to Shaw U via their website. And since Shaw is a 501(c)(3) organization, your donation is tax-deductible. Better yet, if your employer offers charitable matches, you can double your impact and help even more students chase their dreams.

Now, please join me in celebrating Haelee’s 18th birthday! Watching her blossom into adulthood and seeing her recognized by Dr. Dillard and others at Shaw has been one of my proudest moments as a dad.

And because every celebration deserves a little sweetness, we made a stop outside the tailgate to visit an old friend, Shanae Bryant, owner of Madame B’s Bakery. Featured on ABC11 and by Keith Lee, this family-run bakery is known for its custom cakes, cookies, and more. Located at 4701 Atlantic Ave in Raleigh, Madame B’s makes the best sweet treats in the state. Their treats are made via family recipes that have been passed down through generations within Shanae’s amily so they’re a labor of love.

Not to worry if you’re not local because Shanae ships nationwide. And get this she’s offering 10% off of your first order so don’t walk, run to Madam B’s

Moving forward, this season has reminded me of what matters most family, legacy, and community. Whether it’s celebrating my daughter’s milestones, supporting HBCU excellence, or simply sharing good food and good vibes, it all comes back to the same truth: we’re stronger together.