Introducing...

Mary Bentley LaMar

Mary Bentley LaMar, is an award winning servant leader and critically acclaimed vocalist with a reputation for successfully "making it happen." This wife and mother of a 14 year old son, Hunter, is part of a dynamic team at LaMar Educational Enterprises., LLC.

Together with her husband, psychologist Dr. Ansley W. LaMar, they engage in a number of initiatives that make a positive impact on minority populations. They own and operate Superkidz Kamp, a summer residential camp program for youth ages 11-17 that is celebrating its 12th year dedicated to leadership and character development.

Mary is the Founder and Executive Director of the Sickle Cell Association of New Jersey, Inc., a community based non profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for families and individuals living with sickle cell disease. She was instrumental in developing and implementing a highly successful national campaign on sickle cell disease. Mary has travelled extensively throughout the country collaborating with local sickle cell agencies, health care professionals and community organizations to raise awareness of sickle cell disease and related conditions. She has brought that same commitment to New Jersey with numerous sickle cell education programs and services such as the upcoming Sickle Cellabration on June 19, 2010.

Although she is a resident of New Jersey, Mary has been a friend and supporter of the Ann Arbor Community Center for years. When the opportunity presented itself to partner with a local community based agency on the national sickle cell awareness program that Mary was directing, the Ann Arbor Community Center was clearly the first after talking with Center Director, Rev. Yolanda Whiten.

It had long been a desire of Rev. Whiten’s to conduct a minority blood drive so partnering on the national sickle cell awareness program presented by Mary worked well with the mission of the AACC. This laid the foundation for conducting the first Minority Blood Drive at the Ann Arbor Community Center. The partnership worked well and minority blood drives hosted by the AACC have continued to save lives in Ann Arbor. Mary’s commitment to the success of the blood drive and partnership was evident on that day, as she flew overnight from Los Angeles to Ann Arbor, donated blood and lent her support for the drive before continuing on to Chicago late that evening.

The Center was further engaged through its Director, Rev. Yolanda Whiten, as the primary community partner in related sickle cell awareness programs affiliated with the national program coordinated by Mary. This resulted in continuing to build partnerships with the Red Cross, The University of Michigan Hospital Sickle Cell Treatment Center, and establishing partnerships with Detroit Children’s Hospital Sickle Cell Center, Villa De La Rosa Church of Detroit and the 555 Art Gallery of Detroit. Mary was responsible for arranging for Actor Larenz Tate to participate in a related sickle cell awareness event with the Ann Arbor Community Center again serving as the primary partnering agency and host for Larenz Tate.

Mary has a history of helping others in every position she has held. This graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism worked as an Energy Consultant before moving to New York and a successful career of over 20 years in the highly competitive musical theatre industry. Her work spanned from Broadway to Europe, Asia and Africa working with world renowned artists, including Elton John.
In spite of a fast paced Broadway Show touring schedule, Mary maintained her commitment to community service for example; as a lifelong active member in her beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Mary supported local sorority programs across the country. As a musical theatre artist she organized Artists Against Apartheid by coordinating letter campaigns and advocating for equal rights for citizens of South Africa. Mary also coordinated her fellow cast member’s efforts to donate hundreds of toiletry kits to local shelters. In addition, Mary voluntarily created and performed Arts In Education programs at no cost to local school, church and community organizations as a way to make productive use of her free time by giving back to the communities she was performing in while on the road touring with various Broadway shows.

Mary has served as President of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Omicron Xi Omega Chapter in Montclair New Jersey, as Cluster IV (New Jersey) Coordinator and Vice Chair of Programs for the 2006 North Atlantic Regional Conference in Atlantic City New Jersey. She has led her Cluster in reactivations of members and led her region as Voter Registration Co Chair in voter registrations. Currently Mary serves her chapter on several committees, is Nominating Committee Chair, Co Chair of the Health Platform and a member of the Graduate Advisory Council.

The numerous commendations for service that Mary has received are a testimony to her outstanding leadership and caring nature. The President of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter had this to say after working with Mary; “We soon learned of Mary’s expertise as a skilled and effective communicator, her exceptional organizational skills and warm personality were the key elements needed to create a strong and effective partnership…her ability to follow up on any task is extraordinary, and we have learned that her word is her bond.”

Mary Bentley LaMar is a multi talented individual. As a professional vocalist, she still enjoys performing on occasion for charitable causes such as the Ann Arbor Community Center. No stranger to Michigan, her vocal talents have graced the stage of the Fox Theatre, The Ford Theatre and the Gem Theatre. The New York Daily News described Mary as “a singer extraordinaire…one of the most original, if not talented, pop cabaret and rhythm n blues singers to come along in more than a decade.” We are pleased that Mary has freely offered her talents to us for a Cameo Cabaret performance at this year’s Semi Formal Dinner and Dance on Friday April 30, 2010.

Honors and Awards: Commendation from the Newark Municipal Council for improving the quality of life for students of The Newark Boys Chorus School, Miss Black Indiana, First Runner Up Miss Black America and winner of the national pageant’s talent award, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc (AKA), 2006 AKA North Atlantic Region-President of The Year, 2006 AKA North Atlantic Region Chapter of The Year and 2003, 2005 & 2006 AKA North Atlantic Region Leadership Award, St. Louis’ Sickle Cell Disease Community Advocates Award, Sojourner Truth Leadership Award.

Affiliations: Shiloh Baptist Church of Newark-Asst. Superintendant for the Sunday School, Choreographer Praise Dance Ministry and Asst. Musical Director for the Gospel Chorus Choir, NAACP, The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Founder of The Sickle Cell Association of New Jersey, The National Association of Black Storytellers, Indiana University Neil Marshall Alumni Club, League of Women Voters Newark, New Jersey Governor’s Conference on Women Steering Committee member, The Forest Hills Community Association, The Masters School Parent Association, Newark Boys Chorus School-Immediate Past President Parent Council and currently on the Board of Directors
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Mary can be reached at LaMar Educational Enterprises, LLC., at 973 485-6591 E-mail contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
For information on The Sickle Cell Association of New Jersey call 973 482-9070 E-mail contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it