MLK Memorial Breakfast to feature Lexington native and acclaimed educator Celena Clark Tribby

The Lexington, NC, Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. announces its 36th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast, a cherished community event honoring Dr. King's legacy.

This year’s gathering will take place on Monday, January 20, 2025, beginning at 8 am with doors opening at 7:30 am. The venue for this occasion is the Commons on the Green, located at 200 Country Club Blvd., Lexington.

Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy breakfast while engaging in conversation and reflection. This event's ticket is priced at $20.00 per person and can be purchased from MLK Committee Chair Debra Verdell by calling 336. 918. 5651 or President June Britt at 336.528.7664.

Lexington native Reverend Celena Clark Tribby will serve as guest speaker offering insight and inspiration as the community comes together to celebrate Dr. King’s impactful contributions to our nation. She plans to honor the annual tradition that uplifts our community and commemorates the ideals of unity and service.

Reverend Celena Clark Tribby is a dedicated leader, educator, and minister who publicly accepted her call to ministry in 2013. Under the guidance of Reverend Darrell L. Thomas, Tribby spent three years training at Union Baptist Church. In June 2019, she was ordained to preach by the Rowan Baptist Association and currently serves as an Associate Minister at Union Baptist Church.

The theme selected by Delta Sigma Theta is "Inspiring Change, Igniting the Dream." Tribby and her family members have spent generations inspiring community change. She refers to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famous statement, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

"This significant call to serve urges us to live lives filled with purpose and impact," said Tribby.

The Chapter’s President called Tribby’s work tenacious and inspirational. “She enjoys working with young people and that's so needed within our community,” said Britt. “We selected her because of her strong roots…showing our young people that they can achieve a lot more than what they think they can. She has strong ties within the community.and the educational field.”

Tribby’s background has also positioned her perfectly as a guest speaker on this occasion. As a beloved native of Lexington, Celena graduated from Lexington Senior High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master’s in Elementary Education from N.C. A&T and a Master’s in School Administration from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

With over two decades of experience in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School District, Tribby has served in various roles, including classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Since 2021, she has led Cook Literacy Model School in Winston-Salem. Her leadership philosophy focuses on fostering a positive and enriching environment, which has resulted in strong relationships among students and staff. When she began her tenure at Cook Literacy Model, the school was among the bottom 10% of low-performing schools in North Carolina. By 2024, under her leadership—and as a testament to the power of partnership and teamwork—Cook was recognized as the top Restart school in the state, boasting the highest net growth rate. In just three years, the school’s letter grade from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction improved from an "F" to a "C."

Reverend Tribby's leadership has been acknowledged through numerous professional accolades, including completing the North Carolina Distinguished Leadership Program, the BB&T Executive Leadership Institute, the Denver Public School Leadership Institute, and the National Institute of School Leadership. She is also a proud member of the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

On a personal note, Celena is the cherished daughter of the late Charlie Wayne Clark and Belinda Clark of Lexington, NC. She currently resides in Winston-Salem, where she shares her life with her husband, Colin. Together, they are devoted parents to two daughters: Carlynne Mack Richards, who has blossomed into a remarkable woman and is happily married to Rodney Richards, Jr., and Isabella Grace Tribby, who brings her own unique light to their family. Celena mentions a special fondness for her granddaughters, Eliana-Grace Celine Richards and McKenna Joy Nalise Richards, who hold a uniquely cherished place in her heart, bringing immense joy and laughter to her life.

This occasion reflects the combination of faith, family and local influences that have shaped Celena's journey. “I am truly privileged to give back by sharing a message of hope, unity, and action.  I am filled with gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to speak a word of encouragement to the very community that poured into me and whose shoulders I stand on," said Tribby. "This moment is a reflection of the collective strength, wisdom, and love that shaped me, and I am deeply honored to give back by sharing a message of hope, unity, and action. Together, let us honor Dr. King’s legacy by continuing to uplift one another and striving to create a brighter, more just future for all.”