Black Culture Foundation Welcomes New Royalty

The San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation now has a new Senior King and Queen. Mansie Booker and Joyce Payne were crowned as the respective Senior King and Queen during the annual awards ceremony, held this year on Feb. 6 invitation-only event. Born in L.A., Senior Queen Payne is an educator who worked as a teacher, vice principal and principal for the San Bernardino City Unified School District. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history, and an administrative credential from Cal State San Bernardino. Payne also studied pre-doctoral studies at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, and earned a master's degree in educational administration from Boston State College. Payne was a longtime principal at Dr. Howard Inghram Elementary School and completed her career at Davidson Elementary School. Additionally, Payne has taught in Peach County, Georgia, and at Middlesex Community College in Burlington, Massachusetts, also serving on the school board in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Though recently retired, Payne continues to be active in her San Bernardino area community; at Temple Missionary Baptist Church, she works as the director of Christian education. Payne is also a charter member of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc, Delta Rho Chapter, which works to bring scholarships and other educational opportunities to local young women. She is also a board member with Our Children Sing; a former board member of the California State University Alumni Board; and a lifetime alumni member of Cal State San Bernardino. Payne also participates in community outreach programs that address parenting, literacy, career development and goal-setting for students. Senior King Booker was born in Burlington, North Carolina, the youngest of two children. When Booker was four, his family moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. Upon his high school graduation in 1962 from J.W. Ligon High School, Booker entered the United States Air Force, where he served a 26 year career. Additionally, Booker has been an active member of the Highland Family YMCA and Temple Missionary Baptist Church, where he puts his production skills to use. Annually, Booker provides the Black Culture Foundation a video profile of the Humanitarian of the Year awardees, and also videotapes the nonprofit organization's annual Black Rose awards event. Booker is the father of two children, has seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He attended Yuba College, The University of Maryland, University of Oklahoma and The University of Minnesota and is a graduate of the Community College of the Air Force.