Honoring Legacy. Celebrating Excellence. Preparing the Future.
Each year, New Unity Baptist Church gathers for The Ephraim & Manasseh Celebration of Excellence Baccalaureate Service — a sacred moment where faith, family, education, and community come together.
This celebration, established under the pastoral leadership and vision of Rev. Johnny N. Golden, Sr. in June 1995, was created to affirm a simple but powerful truth:
The story does not end with us.
Like Jacob in Genesis 48, who placed his hands upon Ephraim and Manasseh and blessed another generation, we believe every generation has a responsibility to speak life, purpose, and promise into those who follow.
We gather to say:
You come from somewhere.
You belong to Someone.
And you are going somewhere.
What Is Ephraim & Manasseh?
Ephraim and Manasseh were the sons of Joseph and grandsons of Jacob.
Their story is not simply the story of two children receiving a blessing — it is the story of legacy moving forward.
Born in east Africa in Egypt, they represented the joining of generations, cultures, experiences, and possibilities. Before they inherited land, they inherited identity.
Before they stepped into destiny, someone from another generation spoke blessing over them.
At New Unity, we continue that sacred tradition.
Why This Name?
We chose Ephraim and Manasseh because their story represents the sacred connection between generations, cultures, and traditions. They remind us that every generation receives blessings it did not create and carries responsibility for generations it may never see.
Honoring Those Who Helped Build the Legacy
The Ephraim & Manasseh Celebration of Excellence Baccalaureate Service stands today because of the prayers, vision, commitment, and faithful labor of many servants who believed our scholars deserved to be seen, celebrated, and blessed.
We honor the memory and ministry of our beloved late Dean Valarie Carter Giggers, whose passion for Christian Education helped shape the foundation upon which this celebration continues to grow.
For many years, Deacon Tamera P. Randolph, Deacon Sandra T. Jackson, and Sister Nadine Jackson steadfastly served as faithful stewards and the hands and feet of this celebration — organizing details, encouraging participants, preserving excellence, and helping ensure each year reflected the spirit and love of New Unity.
Today, under the leadership of our Christian Education Director, Deacon Denise Pailin, this sacred work continues as we celebrate another generation of achievers, educators, and servants.
Their leadership reminds us that legacy is not only what we inherit.
Legacy is what we are willing to carry.
Who Do We Celebrate?
The Ephraim & Manasseh Celebration of Excellence Baccalaureate Service joyfully recognizes:
🎓 Students advancing from one level of learning to another
🎓 High school graduates
🎓 College and university graduates
🎓 Adult learners returning to pursue their dreams
🎓 Teachers and professors
🎓 Administrators and counselors
🎓 Librarians
🎓 Cafeteria and nutrition professionals
🎓 Custodians and support staff
🎓 All who serve in the ministry of education
Because education is not carried by one person.
It takes a village.
Our Four Pillars
LEGACY
We remember the prayers, sacrifices, struggles, and victories of those who prepared the way.
EXCELLENCE
We celebrate preparation, discipline, curiosity, learning, creativity, and growth.
Excellence is not perfection — it is offering our best gifts faithfully.
FAITH
We believe every ability becomes greater when connected to divine purpose.
Our gifts are not simply for achievement.
They are preparation for assignment.
FUTURE
We bless the next generation because God is still speaking, still calling, and still writing the story.
Our 2026 Celebration
Theme: “The River is Rising: Moving Into Deep Waters”
A reflection on growth, transition, and trusting God as we enter new seasons of life.
Scripture: “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.”
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026. 11:00 AM
2026 Keynote Speaker
Ms. Natasha Pouncey
Principal
Hamilton Elementary/Middle School
Baltimore, Maryland
We are honored to welcome Ms. Natasha Pouncey as this year’s keynote speaker as she shares wisdom, encouragement, and challenge with our scholars, educators, families, and community.
Previous Celebration Speakers:
Through the years, New Unity has been blessed by voices of wisdom, leadership, scholarship, and faith including:
Rev. Johnny N. Golden, Sr.
Inaugural Celebration Speaker (1995)
Founder, The Ephraim & Manasseh Celebration of Excellence Baccalaureate Service
Pastor-Servant-Leader, New Unity Baptist Church
Rev. Antoine T. Colvin
June 12, 2012
Later called to sereve as Pastor,
Historic Little Rock Baptist Church
Detroit, MI
The Honorable Jill P. Carter
Baltimore City, Director of Ofc of Civil Rights &
Wage Enforcements, June 11, 2017
Later elected to Md. State Senate
Rev. Brent Brown
Pastor, Greater Harvest Baptist Church, June 8, 2019
Rev. Dr. Tamara England-Wilson, June 14, 2020
Later called to serve as Pastor
Pleasant Hope Baptist Church
Dr. Marjorie Adams,
Professor, Business Administration,
Morgan State Univ., June 12, 2021
Dr. Patricia Morris-Welch
Dean for the School of Education and Urban Studies
Professor of Urban Studies,
Morgan State University, June 18, 2022
Dr. Anthony L. Jenkins
President,
Coppin State University, June 17, 2023
Rev. Johnny N. Golden, Sr.
Pastor-Servant-Leader,
New Unity Baptist Church, June 22, 2024
Dr. Kevin Carr,
President, Alumni Association,
Coppin State University, June 28, 2025
Ms. Natasha Pouncey
Principal, Hamilton Elementary/Middle School
Baltimore, Maryland; June 27, 2026
And many other distinguished voices
From the Heart of the Pastor:
Beloved celebrants, your education, service, and commitment are not simply for achievement.
They are preparation for assignment.
Walk boldly.
Think deeply.
Serve humbly.
Dream faithfully.
The blessing continues — through you.
Rev. Johnny N. Golden, Sr.
Inaugural Celebration Speaker (1995)
Live Steaming
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