Wedding Party
Ashley Bland
Matron of Honor
Friendship established in 2009 when Racheida and I met the summer before our freshman year at Virginia Commonwealth University. As engineering majors, we both participated in the Summer Transition Program (STP) and were roommates. We eventually learned we had a lot more in common, and a beautiful friendship “blossom”ed from that moment on. Favorite memory with the bride: There are so many memories! When we met the summer before our freshman year, we both participated in STP at VCU. I had arrived much later than the rest of the participants but Racheida was so welcoming. By the time I had gotten all my things and my parents dropped me off, it was late evening and the BET Awards were about to start. I had a crash course learning about my new roommate and her love of music and culture which has only grown since then. The BET Awards is a yearly reminder of our “friend-aversary”. It always reminds me of such a special time. Since then, Racheida has shown up for every single moment, from me being a mom to being a part of my wedding party. We have traveled across and out of the country together, gotten a few more degrees, joined the greatest Sorority in the world, and grown so much as women!
Jamaine Chambers
Best Man
Friendship established in 1997 at birth. Favorite memory with the bride: The time we drove from Henry Co to Fort Valley with no brake pads and bad rotors. He said all he needed was some brakes come to find out we were stopping with metal on metal it sounded like death every time we slowed down.
Amy Jalloh
Maid of Honor
Friendship established in 2007 through Novel Teens Ink. Favorite memory with the bride: Our first international trip together to Italy in 2016. Honorable mention - Paris lol.
Jimmiel (Jimmy-L) High
Best Woman
Friendship established in 2016 thanks to the military. Favorite memory with the groom: Our first hurricane response mission when we were in the trenches figuratively and literally from sleeping in airplane hangers, helping elderly from their homes to working directly with FEMA. We kept ourselves and our battles upbeat in a dark situation.
Nikki Nola Gordon
Maid of Honor
Friendship established in 2017 through the National Society of Black Engineers. Favorite memory with the bride: Traveling Iceland! My favorite trip we’ve done together :)
Tarik Jefferson
Groomsman
Friendship established in the Army. Favorite memory with the groom: That viral TikTok
Latasha Russell
Bridesmaid
Friendship established in 2005 at Benjamin Banneker Academic Senior High School and continued through a summer journalism program, establishing the high school newspaper, BMW (bus, metro, walk) adventures around the DMV, college, endless entertainment and life milestones. Favorite memory with the bride: My most memorable memory is our visit to the Black Hair exhibit celebrating us. Racheida is the queen of capturing memories. We’ve had so many memories together - community, music, life, roadtrips, and more. During this visit, we took time to soak in and immerse ourself in every part of the exhibit, embracing who we are, our culture, our safe space while capturing memories; which is also the definition of our friendship. A moment of nostalgia had us reflecting on our growth into adulthood while celebrating each other every step of the way. We had a mini photo shoot haha. At some point we lost track of time and were the last to leave and continued the night over dinner, talking about….everything.
Brandon Rios
Groomsman
Friendship established in high school. Favorite memory with the groom: This guy officiated my wedding and embarrassed me to no end that night. Dude was saying things that made my old grandma recoil in fear, but that’s why we love him.
Michelle Soledad
Bridesmaid
Friendship established in 2015: Beginning our doctor-hood journey at Virginia Tech Favorite memory with the bride: Culminating wrapping up our first semester teaching - and Sunday night office hours - with fireworks on the drillfield!
Andre Walker
Groomsman
Coming soon.