Compiled by TNCPNEWS Staff
LANSING, MI – The tradition of debutante balls in the African American community dates back to the early 20th century, rooted in the values of service, education, and social refinement. According to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, “African American debutante balls were created as a means to showcase young Black women to their communities and to celebrate their accomplishments at a time when systemic racism barred them from participating in similar mainstream social traditions.” These balls provided an essential platform to affirm Black excellence, community pride, and the importance of cultural traditions.
Les Meres et Debutantes Club of Greater Lansing: A Local Legacy
In 1962, nine pioneering African American mothers in Lansing, Michigan — Esther Abrams, Hortense Canady, Lela Eaton, Mattie Foxall, Robbie Harris, Catherine Harrison, Estella Saunders, Shirley Wills, and Dorothy Wilson — founded the Les Meres et Debutantes Club of Greater Lansing. At a time when white social clubs excluded African Americans, these mothers sought to prepare their daughters to become productive young women and present them to society with dignity and pride.
What made this organization distinct was that Les Meres, the mothers, personally provided the programming, mentoring, and funding for the debutantes, the daughters. This ‘coming of age’ journey began in seventh grade and culminated in a formal ball, “The Cotillion,” during the twelfth grade. The Cotillion ceremonies drew inspiration from African traditions, notably the “Rites of Passage.”
The Club emphasized more than the elegance of wearing a cotillion dress; it instilled lifelong tools for success. Participants received guidance on proper etiquette, social decorum, career success, and community service, emphasizing kindness and humility. Access to mentorship and career development resources helped open doors to future achievements.
Since its founding, the Club has impacted hundreds of young women, many of whom are daughters of former debutantes. Distinguished alumnae include Dr. Alexa Irene Canady, the first African-American woman neurosurgeon in the U.S. and a Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame inductee; Anita Riddle-Johnson, the first African-American woman executive from Lansing at General Motors; and Luanne Wills-Merrell, the first African-American female aviation safety inspector hired by the FAA.
2025 Debutante Karrington Cosey
School: Okemos High School
Karrington Cosey, the daughter of Mr. Kevin Cosey and Ms. Tiffany King, proudly represented Okemos High School. Her journey in community service deeply shaped her identity and taught her the importance of giving back to others. Through the Les Meres et Debutantes Club of Greater Lansing, she built meaningful relationships with her debutante sisters and gained a profound appreciation for service and community impact. This experience strengthened her leadership skills and demonstrated how collective efforts could create lasting change.
As President of the Black Student Union at Okemos High School, Karrington worked to foster inclusion, organize cultural events, and create spaces for dialogue and learning. In her role as Teen Vice President of the Greater Lansing Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., she helped plan initiatives that promoted leadership, community service, and cultural enrichment. Her involvement in these and other service organizations allowed her to actively contribute to her community while growing as a leader.
In 2024, she was honored with the Joe Biden President’s Volunteer Service Award for her dedication to service. Karrington also held a strong passion for environmental justice, striving to protect both the environment and communities of color from harmful pollution.
Following high school, she plans to attend North Carolina Central University to major in Environmental Science, aiming to advocate for underserved communities and promote a healthy, sustainable environment free from hazards. She was escorted by Mr. Jayce JL Branson, a senior at East Lansing High School and the son of Ms. Brandi Branson.
2025 Debutante Victoria Hollingsworth
School: Waverly High School
Victoria Hollingsworth, the daughter of Ms. Quiana Lowe and Mr. Robert Hollingsworth, proudly attended Waverly High School. Since 2022, she has been an active member of the Les Mères et Debutantes group. Through the organization, she gave back to her community by volunteering at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon, the 96.5 FM Back to School Backpack giveaways, and various other service activities. Additionally, she devoted time to A Positive Somebody, a local nonprofit supporting adolescent mental health.
Her favorite extracurricular activities included jazz tap, ballet, volleyball, and running on the Waverly High School track team. Victoria was also an active member of the high school marching band as a member of the color guard and a baton twirler. She valued spending quality time with family and friends, treasuring the memories and bonds they built together.
After graduation, Victoria planned to study Forensic Science in college, to become a Forensic Scientist and ultimately a Forensic Pathologist. She extended a heartfelt thank you to her escort, Tyrese Griffin, and expressed deep gratitude to all her loving supporters who uplifted her throughout her journey to womanhood.
2025 Debutante T’gan Robinson
School: Okemos High School
T’gan Robinson, daughter of Mr. Lester and Mrs. Niki Robinson, represented Okemos High School with pride and gratitude. Reflecting on her four years of high school and her journey as a debutante, she developed a deep appreciation for building a community based on love and sharing. Through the Les Meres et Debutantes Club, she formed meaningful friendships with her debutante sisters and learned the importance of service and genuine connections.
Being the only daughter in her family, the debutante experience taught T’gan unconditional love and allowed her to experience sisterhood. During her senior year, she remained committed to serving her community and sharing her experiences with her debutante sisters.
T’gan volunteered extensively throughout her school district and alongside her debutante sisters in the Lansing area, experiences that strengthened her dedication to service. She planned to attend Lansing Community College to complete her prerequisites before transferring to an HBCU such as Spelman College or Howard University. Her ultimate goal was to become a cardiovascular surgeon, a career through which she could continue helping others, a pursuit that brought her great joy. She was escorted by Mr. Warren Reeves, a senior at Okemos High School and the son of Ms. Rachel Reeves.
2025 Debutante Tahirah Latifah Shareef
School: Cass Technical High SchoolTahirah Latifah Shareef, daughter of Mr. Rahman and Mrs. Tamorah Shareef, proudly attended Cass Technical High School. Since eighth grade, she has been a dedicated member of the Lansing Les Meres et Debutantes Club of Greater Lansing, where she served as debutante secretary and treasurer and later as president of the 2025 grade level and Debutante President.Tahirah was involved in numerous organizations, including Grit, Glam,& Guts, Pretty Brown Girls, Girls Empowerment, the Gamma Phi Delta Auxiliary Program, and the National Honor Society. Her commitment to service was recognized when she received the Joe Biden Community Service Award.She expressed deep gratitude for her debutante sisters, who embody love and care and have been an integral part of her life since the fifth grade. Tahirah cherished sharing this experience with them and was thankful for the community’s support. Following graduation, she plans to attend Grand Valley State University to study Clinical Psychology with a minor in music.
Her motivation for pursuing clinical psychology stemmed from her desire to support individuals who had been victimized and to remind them that they were valued and appreciated. Tahirah was escorted by Mr. Allen Carter, son of Ms. Ricarla Carter and Mr. Brandon Carter, a senior at Sexton High School.
On April 26, 2025, the Les Meres et Debutantes Club of Greater Lansing celebrated its 60th Diamond Cotillion Ball with the theme “Night of Enchantment.” The event began at 6 p.m. at the Country Club of Lansing in Lansing, Michigan. The evening brought together debutantes, their families, and the community to honor decades of tradition, achievement, and service.
