Wedding Party
Casie Simone Strong
Bride
Casie Simone Strong was born in Charleston South Carolina, to Mark and Brigitte Strong on December 12, 1990. Growing up Casie had the opportunity to live in numerous places due to her dad being an Officer in the United States Navy. Some of the places Casie grew up and lived were: South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas from which she graduated from Ronald Reagan High school. Upon High school graduation, Casie attended the Prairie View A&M University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, and later received her Master’s in Mechanical Engineering. Graduating College, Casie received her Commission as a Naval Officer in the United States Navy to begin her Naval Career. Currently Casie is a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy serving as an Engineering Duty Officer, where she manages the construction, delivery, maintenance and overhaul of the Navy’s fleet. Casie currently resides in San Diego, California with Anthony. In her spare time, she enjoys working out with running her favorite, shopping for candles, going to concerts, being active in church, and being in bed by 8pm!
Anthony "AJ" Thompson
Groom
This is AJ Thompson, The Groom. MR. CALIFORNIA HIMSELF. AJ as usual is the unpredictable and unforgettable head honcho brother of the bunch. He is known for being the Hot-Head of the group but the one with the biggest heart. To his siblings he can be considered the Golden child but he humbly accepts an alternative title as the “Chosen Child” of the Thompson tribe. AJ graduated from California State University East Bay with his Sociology and Historical Evidence Degree. AJ is a proud member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. where he dedicates his time to community service work and the promotion of black excellence . From his initiation to now AJ has proven time and time again what it means to fully embody the five pillars of his organization: Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity and Brotherhood. AJ defends the country working as a United States Naval Officer leading sailors on the waterfront. AJ’s purpose as a service member is to safely drive our nation’s most valuable Naval Warships across the world presenting a sustained forward presence. When he is not on the high seas, AJ spends his free time lifting heavy ass weight and playing basketball. If one were to ask his bride; Casie, he mostly spends his “relax time” yelling at his television playing NBA 2K till 2AM before waking up at 5AM to return to work defending our home.
Whitney Strong
Maid of Honor
My name is Whitney, and it is with great pleasure that I have been given the honor of being Maid of Honor! Knowing Casie is like knowing me; we are sisters born 18 months apart and have been best friends ever since. I am truly happy to celebrate the love between Anthony and Casie. Let the celebration begin!
Kacey Liscomb
Bridesmaid
Hi, I'm Kacey. Casie and I have been the best of friends for about ten years. We met in school as junior officers and quickly became best friends. A lot of our friends from our junior officer days would refer to us as the KCs because of our similar personalities in nature from lifestyle to a hard set bedtime. Casie and I have similar tastes especially with concerts and do NOT play when it comes to sleep. We love our sleep so much, we purchased tickets for an R Kelly concert we didn’t stay for because his time delay of over two hours went into our bedtime. We have had each other’s backs through so many life events and I can truly call her a sister. No matter the distance or the time that passes by, we are and will always there for each other!
Kathryn "Kat" Mitchell-Tyler
Bridesmaid
Hi, I’m Kat (or Kitty, as affectionately called by Casie)! Casie and I were lucky enough to be sitting beside each other on day one of our first Navy school right after college, and it’s been history ever since! Through maturing from young, college grads to mid-level Naval Officers, and figuring out life in between-the laughs, love, and genuine connection have kept our friendship strong! I can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with her and many more!
Olivia Farmer
Bridesmaid
Hi I'm Olivia, and I've been truly blessed to call Casie my friend since 2006! We met in high school, and have been soul sisters ever since. Living down the street from each other, we did all of the things and shared many unforgettable moments. Back in the day, Casie didn't play about that MAC concealer and foundation baby! I still laugh about riding with her to school, and learning what brush and make up shade I needed to use. Thanks to her, I graduated from CVS eyeshadow to a more polished look. Then and now, I am deeply honored to be by her side and celebrate this incredible journey with her!
Tia Ramsuer
Bridesmaid
My name is Tia Ramseur. I am a registered nurse and a public affairs officer in the Navy Reserves. I am married to my husband Justin. Justin and I have two boys Joshua (8) and Josiah (4). Casie and I first met onboard a warship (USS ARLINGTON LPD 24). It was hard to adjust to a new state and the responsibilities that came with being a new naval officer. I guess Casie could see the overwhelming look on my face during my first week on board. Casie continued to encourage me to do my BEST in the most difficult times. Even after we departed our first ship, we continued to connect by sending each other care packages, wonderful gospel songs, and Bible scriptures. We did not always speak on the phone. But a simple, “I am praying for you” or “I am thinking about you, and I hope you are doing well” text or email always made me smile. Our love for God, Healthy eating, and physical fitness are just a few things that allow us to have a strong friendship. I am so happy for Casie!! I am honored to stand by her side as one of her bridesmaids!
Andrea Johnson
Bridesmaid
Hello Everyone, My name is Andrea. I am so excited for this day! Casie and I met 17 years ago at a church she attended with her family in San Antonio. I didn’t know anyone in the city, but that changed quickly! Casie’s family and I spent more and more Sunday dinners together until we were an unbreakable little family ourselves. We spent holidays together, laughed, took family pictures, went through health scares together, and even cried together. Casie was a young high school student, and we quickly made a big sister / little sister bond! We praised danced together, and I watched her blossom into a young lady with a huge heart and a beautiful soul! She made me so proud with her choice to attend my Alma mater, THE Prairie View A& M University. (PV …YOU know) She continues to make me proud as she reaches the goals we talked /dreamed about when she was a teenager. She reminds me that blood doesn’t make you family …love does! I love you little sister, and I am glad God ushered in the man who will forever protect your heart! The Bible says, “When a man finds a wife, he has found a good thing and receives favor from the Lord. “ Casie is truly a GOOD thing and favor follows her! Blessing to the couple!!
Ashleigh Forte
Bridesmaid
TWIN… Where have you been ? 🎤 “Nobody knows me like you do...” Casie calls me the “Mouth of the South” and I call her the “Preacher’s Wife”. We couldn’t be more opposite yet somehow it works. It’s not always about how long you’ve known someone, but how deeply you know them. From Target runs to road trips to braid takedowns to countless 5am workouts and a lot of life in between. Casie and I started out as coworkers and she’s become like an OLDER sister. We’ve seen each other grow through moves across the country, the birth of my daughter (who Casie loves like her own) and now marriage!
Priscilla Rodriguez
Bridesmaid
Hi, I'm Priscilla. Casie and I have been *best* friends for over ten years. We met in college and quickly became fast friends. One of my earliest memories of us is sharing a dorm space during a summer camp and being baffled when Casie pulled out clean sheets from her luggage. The sheets really were not necessary because they were already provided- but this was my first inkling that Casie was different. Our friendship has seen us across the globe, through a decade, through breakups, and so many life transitions. But through it all, we have always been one phone call away.
DAMARRIAY “YAY MOODY” MOODY
Best Man
I am Damarriay “Yay” Moody. The ONE and ONLY Line-Brother to the groom. Hailing from Oakland, California, I am a musician and a city employee with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. AJ and I met in 2016 at California State University East Bay, in a Sociology class. During AJ’s “Cornrow Era” we were two black men who wanted to take on the world, defy statistics and make significant impacts for our community. And THAT’S where our brotherhood began. I can list an uncountable amount of moments where AJ displayed his standup character, however the time when AJ offered me his last $100 when I was dealing with a financial emergency (2016), is when I finally realized I actually had a genuine person in my circle AND in my corner. Shoutout to the folks who know the difference. I thank God for having AJ as my brother. We are locked in forever and our story is far from over.
JAKE “MEMELORD” EGANA
Groomsman
Jake Born in Santa Barbara, raised near Oakland, and schooled in San Diego, Jake is our presiding California man. He and AJ met during basic military training in Newport, Rhode Island, where they were trained (read: "terrorized") by a 5-foot tall gunnery sergeant for five long and cold months . We then both moved to Hampton Rhodes, Virginia where we completed our first tour as division officers battling the extreme qualification process as Surface Warfare Officers. "I have one plant in my household, and it's the fake monstera plant I got from AJ years ago."
TRACY “DEANY DEAN” GEORGE
Groomsman
I'm Tracy George Jr, a Stockton California CSUEB graduate for my BA and UNLV for my MA. My passions revolve around sports, fitness, and mental health. Currently, I work as a medical social worker and will soon become a Mental Health Therapist. When I'm not saving the world, you can find me at the gym lifting weights. It was at CSUEB where AJ and I met, and ended up having a sociology class together. AJ and I grew a bond through this brotherhood of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. From representing IOTA to destroying these cornballs (other greeks) in intramural football we have had many great memories that have strengthened our brotherhood. During his first regional fraternity conference in Houston, Texas AJ and I went out with our fraternity brothers to a local club, it was a great night to say the least but, I had one too many and on the way back to the hotel in the Uber ya boi yacked in the car. The Uber driver was pissed, I was inebriated and I was about to get a ridiculous Uber penalty to my account. AJ being the brother that he is calmed the Uber driver down and took out cash so the account didn’t get charged. I can’t recall him mentioning it the next day nor was he upset about the work that was fumbled earlier. Though it is a funny story, it goes to show what type of brother AJ is. He is the true definition of solid, dependable, loyal and above all a good man. I am honored to have been called upon to be a groomsman.
HARRY “MOHDA SOCKA” AJEI
Groomsman
This is Harry Adjei, a groomsman. Harry received his Bachelor’s Degree from Adam State University in Interdisciplinary Studies(don’t ask him what that means) He likes to spend time with his family and play his PS5. He works for the city of Santa Clara and does his best to help his community in any way he can. Harry knew AJ from church while they were in high school. During that time he went undefeated against AJ in pick up games. Harry has always played a mentorship or big brother role to AJ. AJ and Harry once were employed together working as Stock Associates for a Home Decor retail store; Pottery Barn where they both spent their work day telling each other jokes, discussing their college experience, supporting their ambitions for their future and strengthening each other’s relationship with GOD.
RICHARD RICHY BADMAN RODRIGUEZ
Groomsman
My name is Richard Rodriguez. I am from Hawthorne, CA where I attended Hawthorne High and spent most of my childhood running the streets with my ratchet friends. Luckily I was able to make it to college in the Bay where I attended Cal State University East Bay. I graduated from CSUEB in 2019 with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Science Economics. I currently work as a studio engineer as well as a substitute teacher for other ratchet children in LAUSD. Besides this work i am also invested in various entrepreneurial fields. In my free time I really enjoy working out, making music, and snowboarding. I believe a busy and healthy body is when we are happiest. This is where I met AJ when he decided to join our fraternity. My funniest memory is when AJ and I escaped death when gunshots were fired at a local house party we attended. We were so flustered that we did not notice how compact his two door car was as we piled in a few students from our school. As we prepared to flee he managed to kick out the person that was sitting in the seat he specifically designated for me which just proves his loyalty to the people he cares about no matter the situation.
KAMAJI “YA BOY BOY" HAYLOCK
Groomsman
What's up, I'm Kamaji. I am 28 years old and I’m an avid fitness enthusiast, always hitting the gym or exploring new workouts to stay active and energized. I graduated from CSUEB with my Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Me and AJ connected through our bond with Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated and we have been rockin ever since. Through the years he always came through whenever I needed him and I was sure to reciprocate the energy. Whenever we are together it’s always a good time even if it’s playing online games together or just chilling and talking. I can always count on him to be down to go anywhere at any time even if he got work at 5 am the next day. In fact, AJ and I have an ongoing streak of getting pulled over by authorities and/or arrested EVERY single time we are in the car together. Even though we always make it home safely, I definitely know and trust that AJ will always be there to endure the experience with me, good or bad.
TRENT “GOLDEN BOY" LUMPKINS
Groomsman
Trent was raised in Compton, California. He did not meet AJ until college at CSU East Bay where they quickly bonded over both being born on December 13th. While at CSUEB AJ played a pivotal role as Assistant Dean in Trent’s onboarding process into the latest and the greatest fraternity, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. AJ always promoted hard work and that the way to earn respect is to lead by example. Trent graduated CSUEB with a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and is currently working as a firefighter for the San Francisco Fire department.