OCG News Feb. 8, 2019 Black History

Celebrating

BLACK

HISTORY MONTH

Trailblazers of Our Past and Presents

PAGE 2 • FEBRUARY 8, 2019

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPECIAL SECTION

2019 BLACK HISTORY

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Month Theme: Black Migrations

he Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) has announced that the Black History Month theme for 2019 is “Black Migrations.”

ASALH selected the theme to educate the public about the movement of people of African descent to new destinations as it recognizes the 400th Commemoration of Africans who arrived in the first permanent English Colony in North America in August 1619.

Beginning in the early decades of the twentieth century, African

American migration patterns included relocation from the South to the Northeast, Midwest, and West.

The migrations gave rise to social changes including the emergence of both black industrial workers and black entrepreneurs; a variety of urban churches; new music forms such ragtime, blues, and jazz; and the birth of visual and literary arts in New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Paris in the 1910s and 1920s. The theme Black Migrations also explores the century’s later decades including civil rights and protest activism; electoral politics; and mass incarceration.

Black Migrations: New Destinations + New Lives

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he community is invited to attend a Black History discussion entitled “Black Migrations: New Destinations and New Lives” featuring a historian from Clark Atlanta University on Saturday, Feb. 16, 11 a.m. at

Stonecrest Library, 3123 Klondike Road.

The lecture will chronicle African Americans’ migration footprint during the early 20th century, tracing their steps from the South to the Midwest.

Attendees will have a chance to win a bundle

Debra DeBerry

"Leadership can come from anywhere. You don't have to be a certain type of person or have a certain type of education…

You just have to be willing to throw yourself into the fight."

- Julian Bond 1940 – 2015

dksuperiorclerk.com

Clerk of Superior Court DeKalb County

of books from the library bookstore. The event is sponsored bythe Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Funding provided by the DeKalb Library Foundation.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPECIAL SECTION

FEBRUARY 8, 2019 • PAGE 3

‘FROM STRUGGLE TO TRANSFORMATION’ DeKalb History Center honors DeKalb African Americans in politics The public is invited to attend DeKalb History Center’s 11th Annual Black History Month Celebration honoring DeKalb’s vibrant and powerful African American political heritage.

The event will be held on Thursday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m., at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, Second Floor, 101 E Court Square, Decatur.

A host of dynamic presenters, elected politicians, and community leaders will talk about the early days of voter intimidation and how the African American citizenry of DeKalb mobilized to register to vote, protest, and destroy Jim Crow laws, despite being fired from jobs, shamed, and even violently attacked.

Program highlights include the WWI soldier and the concept of the New Negro, the Primus King

Caption: DeKalb County Courthouse, circa 1935. Image from the DeKalb History Center Archives.

case, the elimination of the all-white Democratic primary, voter intimidation, the Obama legacy, and how to prepare for future political issues in diverse

communities, followed by an original film and soulstirring music.

Deborah Strahorn will serve as program moderator and will be accompanied by

Mary Etta Thomas, who will serve as panel moderator.

State Rep. Billy Mitchell, District 88, will be the event’s opening speaker and will be followed by the

following presenters and panelists:

PRESENTERS: Robert Holmes - Former Georgia State Rep. for the 53rd District Peter Scott - Former civil rights journalist for the Atlanta Journal and Constitution

PANEL SPEAKERS: State Rep. Vernon Jones - Georgia House District 91 Jamar Boyd II - Minister and President of Georgia NAACP Youth & College Division Smah Abdelhamid - Community Organizer in DeKalb County Ms. Janelle Jones - Regional Field Director, Republican Party of Georgia DeKalb School of the Performing Arts Chorus – Musical Talent

Tickets are $30 for members and $40 for non-members. • Registration includes a catered buffet lunch.

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Nicole Hendrickson

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPECIAL SECTION

Marlene Fosque

Althea Lawton-Thompson

Santiago Marquez

Kirkland Carden

Everton Blair Jr.

9th ANNUAL MLK UNITY BREAKAST RKL Foundation, Alpha Phi Alpha to honor community leaders

Dr. Kevin B. Lee

The RKL Education Foundation, Inc., in conjunction with the -Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., is inviting residents, businesses and community leaders to the 9th Annual Gwinnett County MLK Unity Breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 23, 9 a.m., 550 Trackside, 550 N. Clayton Street, Lawrenceville.

The breakfast serves as a celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s service, as well as other black pioneers.

Dr. Kevin B. Lee, senior pastor of Berean Christian Church in Gwinnett County, will be the keynote speaker and one of several honorees who have made a lasting impression in the Gwinnett County community.

Other award recipients include:

• Marlene Fosque, Gwinnett County Commissioner District 4 • Santiago Marquez, CEO Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce • Everton Blair Jr., Board Member, Gwinnett County Board of Education • Nicole Hendrickson, Community Engagement Strategist Gwinnett County • Althea Lawton-Thompson, Author • Kirkland Carden, Duluth City Councilman Tickets for the MLK Unity Breakfast can be purchased online at https://bit.ly/2t6E6jL.

Gwinnett County Government + United Ebony Society to host Black History Month Celebration

Join Gwinnett County Government and the United Ebony Society for a Black History Month

celebration on Thursday, Feb. 21, 6 p.m. at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center atrium, 75

Langley Drive, Lawrenceville.

The reception will feature performances, speakers, and special

presentations. Refreshments will be served.

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FEBRUARY 8, 2019 • PAGE 5

CELEBRATING AFRICAN-AMERICANS ON STAMPS Iconic Black history figures gain stamp of approval

By Mackenzie N. Morgan

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fter serving as a reading volunteer in the Birmingham City, Alabama Schools, Robert Gilmore noticed that the students knew little about the history of Blacks in the United States. In an effort to raise cultural awareness in the classroom, Gilmore decided to improve his own knowledge and took up the hobby of stamp collecting. Stamps, he said, are a gateway to our past that can also serve as a bridge to inspire present and future generations to continue making strides in Black history.

“Sometimes, students have a poor image of themselves because they lack exposure to images of successful Black people,” said Gilmore.

Though he was fortunate to have teachers who encouraged and expected excellence throughout his childhood, some students are not so lucky, he said.

“Growing up, I had teachers who would always preach to us that we were just as good as anybody else.

When kids see successful people with whom they can identify, it instills self-pride. Stamps allow kids to see themselves in the accomplishments of others who look like them,” said Gilmore.

Recently, Gilmore got a chance to share his impressive stamp collection with an older audience – seniors at the Lou Walker Senior Center in the City of Stonecrest.

Gilmore said his Gregory Hines stamp, which was released by the U.S. Postal Service on Jan. 28, was a hit at the senior center. Hines, a legendary tap dancer, makes the 42nd stamp in the Black Heritage series.

Gilmore said the R&B singer Marvin Gaye is expected to be released in June and he is very excited about it.

The Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee suggests stamp subjects that celebrate the American experience.

Gilmore, who has amassed over 3,000 stamps, is one of just 300 members of a small cloister of black stamp collectors or, philatelics, belonging to the Ebony Society of Philatelic Events and Reflections (ESPER) group. The Black stamp collectors group promotes the collection of stamps and philatelic material depicting people and events related to the African diaspora to encourage the interest and participation of Black people in all aspects of philately.

Some of Gilmore’s prized items in his rare collection include the likes of Wilma Rudolph, Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman,

Bettye Austin Davis, director of the Lou Walker Senior Center is pictured with Robert Gilmore, stamp collector. Photo via Facebook.

Sojourner Truth, a 10 cent Booker T. Washington stamp, and an original 1936 Jesse Owens Olympics postcard.

Outside of African American stamps, Gilmore said some of his favorites include a stamp honoring Vietnam veterans and Dr. Seuss.

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Top, left to right: Aracely Ventura and Sara Soucy, managers at Las Flores Olde Town Mex, and bottom, left to right: Renee Marrett, Keish Momin, Brandon Mitchell and Daniel Digby

National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta Thanks to a special grant from Coca-Cola, you can visit the National Center for Civil and Human Rights for free during the month of February.

The cultural attraction, established in 2007, is located in downtown Atlanta adjacent to the World of CocaCola and the Georgia Aquarium on land donated by the Coca-Cola Company.

IF YOU GO: Civil rights legends Evelyn Lowery Address: and former United Nations Ambassador 100 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd.

Andrew Young helped launch the center, Atlanta, Georgia which has become one of the few places in Hours: 10-5 Mon.- Sat.; the world connecting the American Civil Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.

Rights Movement with the contemporary struggle for Human Rights around the Telephone: 678-999-8990 world.

The 42,000-quare-foot facility offers visitors a look at America’s political transformations and historic moments in time through original works of art, music, videos, artifacts, pictures and dynamic interactive experiences.

The center also provides visitors with an understanding of what human rights are and why they need protection.

“Our purpose is to create a safe space for visitors to explore the fundamental rights of all human beings so that they leave inspired and empowered to join the ongoing dialogue about human rights in their communities,” the center’s web site states.

Black History film series at Stonecrest Library Join the Friends of Stonecrest Library for the Black History film series each Monday during the month of February, 3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest.

Enjoy a film with surround sound theater style. The film starts at 6 p.m. The series is funded by the Friends of Stonecrest Library.

Feb. 11 -- Tell Them We are Rising: The Story of HBCUs Feb. 18 -- Artists of the Harlem Renaissance Feb. 25 -- Zora’s Roots: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston

Black History from A-Z Museum and Artifacts Brush up on your knowledge of black history at the Black History A to Z Museum on Saturday, Feb. 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library, 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur.

Enjoy black history trivia and storytelling, artifacts and memorabilia highlighting accomplishments of Black persons from around the world curated by Dr. Joyya Smith and Sandra Smith. Light refreshments will be served.

Former NBA player Mike Glenn highlights African Americans in Athletics The public is invited to an exhibition entitled “The Integration of Sports History: African Americans in Athletics” on Friday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center atrium, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville.

CBS commentator and former NBA player Mike Glenn will provide a guided tour of an exhibit of rare newspapers, artwork, and other documents that chronicle the journey of black athletes into professional sports. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free of charge and co-sponsored by the Gwinnett County Office of Community Outreach.

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FEBRUARY 8, 2019 • PAGE 7

AKA presents over $1.6 million to HBCU presidents

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residents from 32 of the participating HBCUs will receive the first installment of the endowment gift in the amount of $50,000 on Feb. 28 during a Black History Month program at the AKA International Headquarters in Chicago. The program will include a tour of the recently renovated Ivy Center International Headquarters in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood.

“As an HBCU graduate and someone who has dedicated my life’s work to the HBCU community, I personally know that the financial challenges of many institutions have an impact on student enrollment, retention and graduation rates,” said Dr. Glenda Glover, president of AKA International, Inc. “Implementing an endowment fund is a critical need and has been a priority for my administration since I took office last year. Alpha Kappa Alpha’s 111-year history is deeply interwoven into the history of HBCUs and therefore it is imperative that we continue to invest in these treasured institutions.”

The endowment fund is one of many components of AKA’s international platform under Dr. Glover’s leadership whose

Dr. Glenda Glover

focus is Exemplifying Excellence Through Sustainable Service. The fund falls under the organization’s target HBCU for Life: A Call to Action, which aims to promote HBCUs by encouraging students to attend and matriculate through these institutions as a sustainability measure.

AKA Sorority, Inc. and the Educational Advancement Foundation invite education advocates globally to support the advancement of America’s HBCUs, which have served as a cornerstone in the Black community since 1837.

For more information about the endowment or to contribute to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation, visit www.AKAEAF.org.

Historic St. Philip A.M.E to present

“The Art of the Negro Spiritual” concert

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he Rev. William D. Watley, senior pastor, and the Music and Worship Arts Department at Saint Philip A.M.E. Church will present a Black History Month concert entitled “Let My People Go” on Sunday, Feb. 24, 5 p.m., 240 Candler Road SE, Atlanta.

The free concert will feature Negro spirituals led by the Saint Philip Choir along with the following invited guest choirs: Inspirational Voices at Berean Seventh Day Adventist Church; Conyers Seventh Day Adventist Church Choir; Celestial Choir at Greenforest Community Baptist Church; Greater Atlanta Adventist Academy Concert Choir; North Decatur Presbyterian Church Choir; Voices of Hope of Ray of Hope Christian Church; and the Mount Calvary Baptist Church Bell Choir. As a finale, all choirs will combine voices under the direction of guest director Dr. Tony McNeill.

DEKALB COUNTY SOLICITOR-GENERAL DONNA COLEMAN-STRIBLING

CELEBRATING AND CONTINUING THE LEGACY

BLACK

HISTORY MONTH

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