Page 4B • The People-Sentinel • Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Black History Month
Celebrating a Proud Heritage
1867-1923
1875-1955
Charles Henry Turner
Mary McLeod Bethune “The First Lady of The Struggle”
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he became the first African-American to receive a graduate degree at the University of Chicago. He was a prominent biologist, educator, zoologist and compartive psychologist.
Do you know your black history facts? 1. Who was the first AfricanAmerican woman to have a play produced on Broadway? 2. What was the title of the play? 3. Who was the first AfricanAmerican woman to grace the cover of Life magazine? 4. Who was the first AfricanAmerican Arctic explorer?
Born in Mayesville, S.C., she was the founder of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fla. She was also an advisor to President Roosevelt.
1877-1970 Benjamin O. Davis Sr. Born in Washington D.C., he became the first African-American general officer in the United States Army. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and the Bronze Star for his service.
Barnwell set to celebrate Black History Month African-American Heritage Parade Kelly Edwards Elementary School is requesting your participation and contribution in making the 2nd Annual African-American Heritage Parade a success. This parade will be held on Sunday, Feb. 23, beginning at 4 p.m. along Main Street in Williston. They are seeking the involvement of all community businesses, entrepreneurs, churches, faith-based, civic, or social clubs and organizations, as well as our community leaders, elected and appointed officials. The parade’s entry fee is $5 and/or the sponsorship fee is $25. These proceeds will cover the cost associated with the legacy murals at KEES. Each year, the departing fifth grade students are allowed to paint a mural in the corridor of the school building as a visual legacy and representation of their presence at KEES. For more information, contact Ferlecia Cuthbertson at (803) 671-2249 or FCuthbertson@williston.k12.sc.us or at Kelly Edwards Elementary at (803) 266-3737.
KEES African-American Heritage Celebration
5. Who was the first AfricanAmerican chemist inducted into the National Academy of Science?
Kelly Edwards Elementary School will have their African-American Heritage Celebration on Friday, Feb. 28, at 1:30 p.m. The community is invited to attend this event. An alumni reception will be held prior to the program for the alumni of Kelly Edwards School beginning at 12:30 p.m.
6. Which diplomat became the first African-American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 for his 1940 mediation in Palestine?
Influential figures throughout black history
Since 1926, Americans have recognized the accomplishments and influences of various individuals during the celebration of Black History Month. With February upon us once again, we focus on many of the people across the globe who have helped to shape black history. Iman: Born Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid in Somali, this internationally recognized supermodel and actress is also a successful entrepreneur. After 20 years of modeling, Iman began her own cosmetics company, focusing on shades that were geared toward ethnic women. The business now reports annual profits of $25 million. Additionally, Iman is actively involved in a number of charitable works, including the Enough Project to end global trade conflicts over minerals and gems. Guion Bluford: Bluford is a retired NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Air Force colonel. He participated in four space shuttle flights between 1983 and 1992. Bluford is known as the first African-American in space and holds honorary doctorate degrees from 14 different colleges and universities.
Black History programs set at area churches: • Annual Black History program will be held at Mt. Hope Baptist Church on Feb.23 at 4 p.m. The guest speaker is Minister Chastity Robinson-Myers. Rev. A.R. Ruth is pastor. • The New Life House of Love, Inc. (1119 Oswald Dr. Allendale) cordially invites you to come help us celebrate our Black History Program on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 11:15 a.m. Please contact us at (803) 584-5960 for further information, if needed. • His Glory Ministries with Mount Everest Worship Center (5670 Hwy. 278, Barnwell) presents “Swing Low” – A play celebrating Black History. The play depicts events of the Underground Railroad and will be presented Sunday, Feb. 23, at 5 p.m. Adult tickets are $10 in advance at $12 at the door. Youth tickets are $5 for ages 11 to 17. Free for children 10 and under. Adult ticket purchases will be eligible for a $50 cash prize. Youth tickets are eligible for a prize drawing. Contact Regina James (803) 300-4346 or mrsrjames1@yahoo.com or Patricia McCrimmon at (803) 709-0495.
George Njoroge: Born in Kenya, Njoroge is a scientist who is now the director of medicinal chemistry at Merck Research Laboratories. Njoroge was at the center of the development of the drug Victrelis, which was approved in 2011 by the FDA to treat Hepatitis C. Njoroge was inducted into the scientific Hall of Fame as a 2012 Hero of Chemistry by the American Chemical Society. Amsale Aberra: Aberra is an Ethiopian-born fashion designer and entrepreneur. Her designs are known across the globe, and she has various couture shops, including one on Madison Avenue in New York, NY. Television producers often turn to Aberra when they need beautiful fashions for television and movies. Her designs have been featured on “Grey’s Anatomy,” “27 Dresses” and “American Wedding.” Alek Wek: Wek is the first African model to appear on the cover of “Elle” magazine, a distinction she earned in 1997. Born in South Sudan, Wek has been a popular catwalk model and has also appeared in Tina Turner’s music video for “Golden Eye.” Wek is a member of the U.S. Committee for Refugees Advisory Council and educates others about the dire situation in Sudan and elsewhere in the world.
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Answers: 1) Lorraine Hansberry, 2) Raisin in the Sun, 3) Dorothy Dandridge, 4) Matthew Henson, 5) Percy Lavon Julian, 6) Ralph Bunche
The People-Sentinel • Wednesday, February 19, 2014 • Page 5B
ReflectingBack, LookingForward Faith’s Role In AfricanAmerican History
1867-1919
1897-1993
1931-
Madam C.J. Walker The first AfricanAmerican woman millionaire in America. She was the inventor of the Walker hair care business.
Marian Anderson An acclaimed singer who became the first African-American singer to perform as a member of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
Toni Morrison The first AfricanAmerican woman to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993.
Macedonia Baptist celebrates Black History Never forgetting the journey Jonathan Vickery Staff Writer jonathan.vickery@morris.com
Deacon Hammie Brooks, 84, oldest deacon and member “We are still striving. God is the one who brought us where we are at, that’s why we’ve had to stay on our knees.”
Catrena Parker, pastor’s daughter “Faith is what brought them through. It’s the evidence of things not seen. Through their faith they were freed. They had to have faith one day they were going to overcome.”
Samuel Greggs, deacon chairman “As long as you keep sights on God, you can be like a sponge in life and be able to absorb the trials and tribulations and keep moving.”
M
acedonia Baptist Church in Blackville celebrated Black History Month through song, dance and skits. “Look where God has brought us,” sang the church’s youth choir Clockwise from above: during their annual cel- Macedonia Baptist youth ebration Sunday after- choir members sing; Youth noon, Feb. 16. “We’re perform a praise dance; not where we ought to Members perform a skit be, but we’re not where called Glory Train. be used to be.” Gwendolyn Littlejohn, who served as the master of ceremonies, formed a skit entitled said these “spirituals “Glory Train,” which iltell stories of our his- lustrated how some peotory” and are important ple think they are heading to remember. to heaven when they die, A group of youth per- but aren’t really saved. It formed an interpretive followed a group of lapraise dance as mu- dies, all church attendees, sic filled the sanctuary: who boarded the train “There is power in the they thought would take name of Jesus to break them to heaven. every chain.” Most of the ladies B e s i d e s s o n g s , t h e fought over what seat predominantly African- to sit in, saying they deAmerican church cel- served to sit near the front ebrated its history with because of their money, facts about some of the good works and knowlpioneers who have got- edge. One lady, Sister Livten them to where they ing Right, was pushed to are today, the back of including the train. jazz musi- “There is power in As the cian Loutrain jouri s A r m - the name of Jesus to n e y e d strong, o n , t h e p e a n u t break every chain.” conductor product stopped - Song lyrics inventor several George times to let Washington Carver, and people off at the gates of Thurgood Marshall, the hell. “Everybody on this first African-American train ain’t going to heavto be a U.S. Supreme en,” said the conductor of Court justice. adulterers, liars, pretendLittlejohn said it’s im- ers and peace breakers. portant to remember “No one but the righteous their accomplishments, shall see God.” though “some (young people) have no idea Check page 4B for upwhat they did for us.” coming Black History Several members per- Month events.
Photos by: Jonathan Vickery/Staff Writer