 |
|| Home Page | Welcome | Contents | Staff | Support Us || |
|
|
|
|
At the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, there was a Black History Month celebration for our all generations. This program was to award Black youth and seniors for what they are doing in the community, and to thank the people like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks and many more for what they did for us. Without their help we would not be doing the things we are doing today. The program was very inspirational for the Black community. It showed us that we could do more now than we ever did in the past. 
Before the award program started there was drumming followed by the libation ceremony and procession, which was lead by Nana K. Aboagye. Nana K. Aboagye came from South America, however, he is now head of a tribe in Africa. He did a libation while saying a special prayer from Africa. Then there was a prayer by Rev. Clinton Miller, the Abyssinian Baptist Church youth minister. Ms. Virginia Fields, Manhattan Borough President, opened with a statement that explained what the program was going to be about and what she wanted to accomplish as a leader in the community. She then introduced Dr. Bob Lee from WBLS, and Dean Meminger from NY1 News who were the hosts for the night. Dr. Bob Lee visits schools and motivates kids to do well. He works for a radio station and was born in Harlem. Dean Meminger, a newscaster, was born in Harlem Hospital and now lives in the Bronx. They introduced, Andrea Gaskin, the next performer, a singer from All City Chorus, who sung the National Black Anthem. Later there were more remarks by C. Virginia Fields who continued thanking people and telling us how the program was doing and that more was to come. Then she introduced the next entertainers, The Steppers, senior citizen dancers with a lot of soul. 
The highlight of the program was the Proclamation Presentations, followed by C. Virginia Fields giving out the awards. The first award went to Pricilla Williams, a 75-year old senior citizen, known for her contributions to the East Harlem community. She was involved in numerous social issues and also is a loyal member of the Local 1199. Ms. Williams served on the board of North General Hospital, helping people, especially seniors in crisis. Next was William Sauder, a senior citizen who for 25 years has been actively involved in the area of youth development and social services in the Manhattanville-Grant Harlem Community. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Child Care, Inc. The youth awards were then presented. A young man, Nairodi Shellow, has already dedicated years of effort to educating people about the HIV/AIDS epidemic. A young woman Venetta Dent has committed herself to being a positive role model for her peers. She teaches young people about conflict mediation and HIV prevention at The Valley, Inc. Last but not least was Ed Lover who works at the radio station at HOT '97 WQHT. He has worked on films, Hip-Hop culture on MTV, stage, record industry and television. Ms. Virginia Fields made her closing remarks and Iman Izak El Mu'eed Pasha from Malcolm Shabazz Masjid pronounced the benediction. 
This program turned out to be very good. It was very nice to see that we, the people, can continue to do well for the community. This program showed me there are a lot of people trying to make the world a better place. It showed us we could still do more now than we did in the past.
libation - the act of pouring wine or some other drink on the earth and praising the ancestors |
|
|| Home Page | Welcome | Contents | Staff || Back to the top
|
