Rev. William M. Mizell, Senior Associate Pastor, Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, NY is the uncle of the Bride.

Every love story is touched by those whom God places on the journey, and Judge Ellen E. Edwards has been one of the most special hands guiding this union. As a Civil Court Judge in Kings County, Ellen brings grace, wisdom, and an unshakable commitment to community. But long before the bench, Ellen and Stefani were classmates at John Dewey High School, alongside Umar Soaries (the groom’s Best Man). Their youthful friendship blossomed into a lifelong bond that would ultimately play a divine role in bringing Stefani and Mawulekumi together. In 2017, Ellen made the life-changing decision to close her successful law practice and run for Civil Court Judge. Stefani proudly served as her campaign manager, and Umar as her social media director and technology guru, helping her secure her historic victory. That campaign not only reignited their friendship but forged a powerful circle of support, loyalty, and shared purpose. Ellen, Stefani, and Mawulekumi share a profound love for travel, art, music, and Black culture — whether attending DanceAfrica, the International African Arts Festival, or experiencing live jazz at Sister’s Place in Brooklyn, New Orleans, or anywhere soulful music can be found. They’ve journeyed together to Ghana, Zanzibar, and their treasured Martha’s Vineyard, creating unforgettable memories of sun, sand, history, and culinary discovery. But Ellen's role in this love story goes even deeper. Following the loss of Mawulekumi’s beloved wife, Ellen set her sights on uniting two souls she knew were destined for each other. Her first attempt at matchmaking during a Bed-Stuy Block Party in July 2023 didn’t bear fruit, but undeterred, she orchestrated a second meeting during her destination birthday weekend in Savannah, GA. It was there that Stefani and Mawulekumi’s connection blossomed—over shared passions for history, culture, cuisine, and adventure—their love story was born. On this most special day, Ellen will serve as Mistress of Ceremony, guiding our hearts through the celebration with her trademark elegance, humor, and deep personal connection to this union. She will also bless the ceremony with her extraordinary gift of song, filling the space with the joy and spirit that have made her an irreplaceable part of our journey. We are forever grateful for Ellen’s love, her friendship, her faith, and her divine role as a bridge between our two hearts.

A proud daughter of the South, Portland carries herself with style, grace, and an unstoppable spirit. As a retired Early Childhood Educator and a founding member of Age Friendly Central Brooklyn (AFCB), she has poured her wisdom and love into countless children and families throughout Brooklyn, including her own. She was Stefani and Courtney's first teacher, instilling in them not only knowledge, but a deep love for learning, community, and service. Portland’s gifts extend far beyond the classroom. She is a culinary master and gifted baker, known for delighting generations with her beautifully crafted cakes and desserts. In the 1990s, she and Stefani transformed this passion into Sweet Tooth City Brooklyn, a boutique bakery that brought joy to family, friends, students, and neighbors—each custom cake carrying the sweet taste of love and tradition. A lifelong learner, avid reader, and devoted volunteer, Portland continues to inspire others through her work with AFCB, encouraging the next generation to embrace literacy, storytelling, and history. As our family’s griot, she preserves and shares the stories that anchor us in our rich heritage, ensuring that every step we take forward is guided by the lessons and love of those who came before us. Portland is also a passionate traveler, a love she passed on to both Stefani and Courtney, creating countless memories across generations. In recent years, she and her soon-to-be son-in-law Mawulekumi have shared many meaningful journeys—whether traveling through the South to visit family, or riding upstate to Albany to support Stefani’s work in government. These travels are not only moments of joy, but threads that continue to strengthen the bonds of this growing family. On this special day, Portland will join her granddaughter Courtney in escorting Stefani down the aisle, weaving together the generations as Stefani steps into her new life with Mawulekumi. We honor Portland for her strength, her grace, her wisdom, and the deep well of love she brings to every moment of our lives.

At the heart of every great love story is family, and at the center of Stefani’s world is her daughter, Courtney C. Zinerman — her only and most precious gift. Courtney comes from a long line of fiercely independent women and proudly carries forward the legacy of her grandmother, Portland Zinerman, and her mother, creating a powerful three-generation bond built on strength, grace, and love. As the co-owner of MORE + Co, a global event management firm, Courtney brings unmatched brilliance, creativity, humor, and heart to every project she touches. She lovingly curated her mother’s 60th birthday celebration in Zanzibar—a lifelong dream fulfilled—and helped Mawulekumi orchestrate the flawless beach proposal at The Rock Hotel, witnessed by eight cherished friends who became part of this unforgettable moment. Beyond the titles, Courtney is a confidante, a constant, and a companion in life’s greatest adventures. She and her mother share a deep love for travel, seeing food as a way to bring people together, nourish souls, and celebrate culture. They also share a passion for the arts, especially film, always finding joy in creativity and storytelling. On this sacred day, Courtney and her grandmother Portland will escort Stefani down the aisle, carrying generations of love, strength, and blessing as Stefani steps into her new life with Mawulekumi. As we step into this new chapter, we honor Courtney not only as the daughter of the bride, but as a vital part of our love story — a steady light, a source of laughter, and a cherished partner in this journey.

Some friendships become family. We are truly blessed to celebrate this special season of our lives with our dear friends, travel partners, and fellow changemakers, Joan and Hassan Bakiriddin. Together, we share a passion for civic engagement, community development, and Black political empowerment — working side-by-side as proud members of the NAACP and the United Political Association (UPA). Beyond the work, we’ve built a beautiful bond rooted in our mutual love for the arts, education, food, philanthropy, and travel — always finding joy in both purpose and play. Last year, Joan and Hassan journeyed with us to Zanzibar, where they witnessed our engagement and celebrated the beginning of this new chapter. Today, they continue the journey with us as we set sail into marriage — another adventure filled with love, laughter, and lasting memories. We are grateful for their friendship, their love, and their presence as we celebrate this unforgettable moment together.

Some friendships are built not only to last a lifetime, but to help shape it. Rance Huff has been a brother, collaborator, and trusted confidant to Mawulekumi since their college days at SUNY New Paltz, where their bond was first forged through a shared passion for truth, storytelling, and the Black experience. Their friendship began at The Fahari, the Black student newsletter on campus. Rance served as Editor-in-Chief, while Mawulekumi worked as a staff writer and photographer. Together, they used their voices to elevate truth and amplify the stories of their community. After college, their dedication to truth-telling continued as they reunited to work on Black Reign, a newspaper founded by Rance to give voice to the issues and triumphs of Black people. Following an award-winning career in journalism, Rance transitioned into public service and has spent the past two decades working in government. For the last 10 years, he has served as Chief of Staff to New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, continuing his lifelong commitment to advocacy, equity, and service. Beyond their work, Rance and Mawulekumi share a deep love for family, Black culture, and sports — especially baseball, where you can often find them side-by-side, cheering on their teams and celebrating their shared love of the game. Their brotherhood has grown into family, with Mawulekumi honored to serve as godfather to all of Rance’s children, weaving their lives together across generations. For this sacred occasion, Rance takes on the role of Wedding Book Officiant—the collector, protector, and storyteller of the cherished memories that have brought us here. He will lovingly preserve the milestones of this journey, capturing not only the evolution of Stefani and Mawulekumi’s love story but also the village of friends and family who have walked beside them. We are profoundly grateful for Rance’s presence, his wisdom, his lifelong friendship.