The Event

6th Annual Elders and Community Tea & NDOWE Scholarship Announcement

Honoring our Elders and Announcing NDOWE Scholarship Recipients.

The Event Teas by Year Moments Ways to Support Scholarship FAQ

The Event

March 20, 2027

The 6th Annual Elders and Community Tea and NDOWE Scholarship Announcement will be held at The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Lincoln Reception Room, in Springfield, Illinois.

Date

March 20, 2027

Location

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Lincoln Reception Room — Springfield, Illinois

Inquire about the Tea — 217.299.7570

Apply to NDOWE

Submit all application materials to:

brownsugarandlace.com

Deadline: March 7, 2027

Download the Application

Teas by Year

Invitations & Themes

Each year the Tea carries a theme drawn from the lives of the elders we honor. Select an invitation to view it in full.

October 17, 2021
Inaugural Elder's Tea
Erin's Pavillion, 2965 2nd Street, Springfield, Illinois.

March 19, 2023
Second Annual Elder's Tea
“Looking Back To Grow Forward”
Honoring Senator Emeritus Roland W. Burris and other Illinois activists, artists and everyday heroes — Erin's Pavillion.

March 24, 2024
3rd Annual Elder's Tea & NDOWE Scholarship Announcements
“Tell It to Generations Following”
A Celebration of Health; Harmony of the Body, Mind & Spirit — honoring Elders in Ministry & Medicine at Fire Fighters Postal Lake Club.

March 16, 2025
Fourth Annual Elder's Tea & NDOWE Scholarship Announcement
“Building Community Through Education and Social Work”
Erin's Pavilion, 4965 South 2nd Street, Springfield, Illinois.

March 22, 2026
5th Annual Elder's Tea and Scholarship Announcement
“Sustaining A Thriving Community through Education & Activism”
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Lincoln Reception Room, 212 North 6th Street, Springfield, Illinois.

Moments

From past Teas

Photographs and awards from Teas past, shared by our community.

2021
First Annual Elder's Tea
Family and community gathered for the very first Tea.

2021
Inaugural Elder's Tea — Three Generations
Guests gathered at Erin's Pavillion for the very first Tea.

2021
Inaugural Elder's Tea — Honored Guests
Family, friends and elders together at the Inaugural Tea.

2021
Inaugural Elder's Tea — The Memorial Table
The Memorial Table set in remembrance of elders who have passed.

2023
Second Annual Elder's Tea — Kevin and Eileen Gleghorn accepting on behalf of their 101-year-old mother

2024
3rd Annual Elder's Tea — Senator Emeritus Roland W. Burris accepting his award

2024
3rd Annual Elder's Tea — Roland and Berlean Burris at the Memorial Table

2024
3rd Annual Elder's Tea — The Memorial Table
Photographs and keepsakes honoring elders remembered.

2024
3rd Annual Elder's Tea — Offutt cousins accepting an award in memory of their father and uncle, Reverend Clifford Offutt

2025
Fourth Annual Elder's Tea Award — Bob and Patricia Davis
In grateful appreciation for your voices and the light you have been in the Springfield community.

Our Namesake
Nellona Diane Offutt Williams
The namesake of the NDOWE Scholarship.

Ways to Support

Cash App: $ENDOWER

Annual $1,000 Scholarships

Ongoing Documentation of Elder Stories

The Annual Tea Event

NDOWE

Nellona Diane Offutt-Williams Education Scholarship

Scholarship Application 2026–2027. Submit all application materials to brownsugarandlace.com. Deadline: March 7, 2027.

Download the Scholarship Application Download the Scholarship Flyer

Requirements

◆ 3.0 GPA
◆ Proof of Matriculation: class schedule without SSN or letter of continuance for the current academic year
◆ 500-word essay on “How You Intend to Impact the Industry You Will Enter upon graduation.”

What the Application Includes

◆ Applicant information — full name, date, address, phone, email, age, year in school
◆ College / University — name and address
◆ Requirements — GPA verification, proof of matriculation, essay

Donate: Cash App $ENDOWER

Students supported by the NDOWE Scholarship

Answers

Scholarship FAQ

The 6th Annual Elders and Community Tea and NDOWE Scholarship Announcement takes place March 20, 2027 at The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Lincoln Reception Room, in Springfield, Illinois.