Wedding Party

Alecia Blake

Bride

Alecia is the daughter & oldest child of Linwood & Carolena Blake. She grew up in Orlando, went to college in New Orleans at Xavier University of Louisiana, and went to medical & public health school at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. She has also lived in Flint, Michigan where she did her internship, Raleigh-Durham, NC; Philadelphia; and San Francisco. She has been working as a Pharmacovigilance physician for 12 years at 7 different pharmaceutical companies. She has one younger brother (Lynwood “Lenny” Blake) and is the bougie auntie to RaeLyn Hayman (age 5) & Jordan Blake (age 24).

Emounte Banks Sr.

Groom

Emounte Sr. is the son of Barbara Biglow & the late Melvin Banks. He grew up in Miami & went to college at Florida Memorial University where he studied Business Administration. Emounte worked for the Miami-Dade public school system for 20 years and has also been an entrepreneur for many years as the owner of several day care centers & commercial cleaning companies. One of the highlights of his career was landing a commercial cleaning contract for Superbowl LIV. He is also the proud father of Chianti, Emounte Jr., Jasmine, Nyla, & Daniella.

Ijeoma "Ije" Azonobi

Matron of Honor

Ije and Alecia went to school together at Morehouse School of Medicine, but their friendship blossomed years later during a shared residency program. Ije resides in the Atlanta suburbs with her husband, mother and son, Muna who is the ring bearer.

Darrick Ross

Best Man

Darrick, hailing from the vibrant city of Miami, FL, is now making waves in Pasadena, TX. As a Lead Automated Valve Technician, he excels in the intricate world of automation, bringing precision & expertise to every project. Beyond the technical realm, he is a passionate lover of music and entertainment, always seeking the rhythm in life’s moments. With a heart full of love and dedication, he is also raising two wonderful nieces, guiding them with care and wisdom. Whether at work, at home, or enjoying the cultural tapestry of Pasadena, he embodies the perfect blend of professional excellence and personal warmth.

RaeLyn Hayman

Flower Girl

This cutie pie is Alecia’s one and only niece. Everyone says she looks like Alecia’s mini me. She is 5 years old and talks up a storm. She loves school where she learned to count to 10 in English, Spanish, & Japanese. She loves dancing and dresses.

Munachimso "Muna" Azonobi

Ring Bearer

Hi! My name is Muna, and I'm three years old. I am the son of the Matron of Honor Ije. I love playing with my toy trains and riding on real ones. My favorite food is quesadillas. I have a dog named Lambchop. Every night, I like listening to Mommy read me stories before bed.

Linwood & Carolena Blake

Parents of the Bride

Linwood & Carolena Blake (aka "Len" & "Carol") are the proud parents of the bride (Alecia). Len is originally from VA, and Carol is from PA, just outside of Philadelphia. They've been happily married for 48 yrs, and currently reside in Orlando, FL since relocating from Detroit, MI where Len used to work as an Engine Controls Staff Engineer for Ford Motor Company. He is now retired after 39 yrs of service as an Electrical Engineer & Test Engineering Manager for Lockheed Martin Aerospace Corp. Carol is likewise retired, after working over 30 yrs as an LPN for multiple Orlando area nursing agencies & hospitals. They have one additional child, Lenny, and (2) grandchildren that they adore, Jordan (age 24), and Raelyn (age 5).

Barbara Biglow

Mother of the Groom

Emounte Banks Jr.

Usher

Emounte Banks Jr. Is The Son Of Emounte Banks Sr. Emounte Jr. Has All Sisters And Loves Each & Every One Of Them. At The Age Of 16, He Had His Own Small Business. He Grew Up In Miami & Attended Everglades High School Graduating Class Of 2023 Where He Maintained A 3.4 GPA. Emounte Is A Very Business Oriented Guy Just Like His Father. He Is Now Getting Him Self Prepared To Go Off To College Where He Will Be Studying Business Administration.

Lynwood "Lenny" Blake

Usher

Lenny is Alecia’s younger brother and father of the flower girl RaeLyn.

Jestina Fefegula

Hostess

Jestina is the second cousin of the bride. Her grandfather was the brother of Alecia’s grandmother. She was born in Richmond, VA and raised in northern Virginia prior to joining the world’s finest Air Force where she served 14 years working in the Cyber field. She continued work as a civil servant in the fields of Cyber and Program Management where she obtained several degrees to include a Bachelor of Science in Management Computer Information Systems and an MBA with a Project Management concentration. She spends her days now as a world traveler and a mother to two beautiful adult children.

Janet Simmons

Hostess

Janet is Jestina’s twin sister.