Celebrating a Decade of Service on the Hill

The Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University Southern Belles was founded and established n September 2009 by Philicia Bellinger, Destiny Byrd, Ashley (James) Smiley, and Brittney Jones-Dabney. The concept of the Southern Belles was to originate a group of young women interested in investing time and energy into improving our campus and surrounding communities. Some of these campaigns include mentoring programs, campus improvement initiatives, and expanding support of our athletic programs.

Our Founders

Britney Jones- Dabney

Native of Montgomery, AL
First Miss Southern Belle
Miss Alabama A&M University 2010-2011
Graduated in 2011 with a Bachelors of Arts and Science in Communications
Miss Black Alabama USA 2013-2014
Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Beta Nu Omega Chapter
Married to Detective Raynard Dabney
Mother of one beautiful daughter, Bailey Rae

Philicia Bellinger

Native of Montgomery, AL
Served in many facets on campus as a member of the AAMU Gospel Choir and Phi Beta Lambda Business Fraternity, Xi Xi Chapter
Advocate for Domestic Violence and Breast Cancer
Graduated with her MBA in 2017
Owner of Exquisite Concepts, a business in wedding consulting and special events

Destiny Byrd

Born in Sonora, CA & raised in Union Springs, AL
Graduated in 2011 with Bachelors of Science in Communicative Sciences & Disorders
Graduated in 2015 with her Masters in Communicative Sciences & Disorders
Member of the Kappa Iota Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated
Currently residing in Stone Mountain, GA working as a Speech Language Pathologist at Dekalb County Schools
Mother of one handsome son, Carter

Ashley Smiley

Born in Nashville.TN
Raised in Mobile, AL
Majored in Psychology
Graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from the University of Alabama in 2013
Founder of HerMajesty Hairs, a hair consultancy
Actress

Our Advisors

Mrs. Charlotte Canady-Slater

Has been our wonderful advisor since our organization's conception
Beloved Professor in AAMU's English Department
Former News Reporter with a love for Journalism
Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated