Community celebrates Black History Programs
Our prayers are with Rev. Henry Patrick and family with the loss of his brother, Lee Patrick, who was memorialized Saturday, February 24th at Mapp Funeral Home. Rev. Patrick delivered a loving and heart-warming eulogy for his brother. Please remember the family in your prayers.
We are sorry to learn of the death of Mrs. Annie Mae Caples who was memorialized Saturday, February 25th at Mt. Zion. Please remember her family in your prayers.
Our prayers are with the family of Mr. Clyde Buckley who was memorialized Saturday, February 25th at Mapp Funeral Home. Please remember his family in your prayers.
Please continue to remember our readers who are facing health challenges and are “under the weather.”
Several Black History Programs were held during this last week of Black History Month. Bettye Mae Jack Middle School family recognized Black History with the theme, “Carrying the Torch for Better Days Ahead,” where Courtney Handcock and Vanessa Johnson were the program guides. Other participants included Samuel Hobson, Co-Principal Avery Nobles, Mayor Gerald Keeton, MHS Jazz Band (under direction of Jacob Hennes), Alaysia Stingley, Kylee Brown, Ma’lysha Bolton, Macle Renfrow and Jasmine Stevens, Reader’s Theater (directed by Diane Herring), Mrs. Janice Williams, Christine Scott from Co-Lin CC, Rev. Marvin McLaurin who shared “A Knock at Midnight by Dr. M. L. King, Jr., and Co-Principal Miles Porter. The event was well attended and members of the Bettye Mae Jack Alumni Association were present along with many other community supporters.
The youth at Lynch Chapel U. M. Church invited Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton to deliver their Black History Program message. As the first and only African American Forest Alderwoman, Alderwoman Slaughter Melton encouraged youth to be thankful for their parents and others for molding them and paving the way and making them who they are. Others participating on the program included Miya Patrick, who introduced Alderwoman Melton, Brianna Payton, Charlie McDonald, and Ramonda Patrick. Rev. Tony Ashford is the pastor.
The Concord M. B. Church family spotlighted and recognized “A few African American First from Concord and the Local Community” with their program entitled “United We Stand.” Among those recognized were former School Board Members Henry Williams and Shonnette Kelley (City), John Kelley (County), Highway Patrolman Joe Nelson, Deputy Chancery Clerk Priscilla Butler, NFL Eagle Todd Pinkston, Actress Shelia Guyse, Election Commissioner Fannie Bradford, Attorney/Judge Constance Slaughter-Harvey, Alderwoman Cynthia Slaughter Melton, Alderman W. L. Slaughter, Circuit Clerk Becky Gray, Former Tax Collector Myra Murrell Davis, Former Supervisor Monzell Stowers and Supervisor Board Chairman Jackie Bradford. The Black History Program was sponsored by the Young Men’s Mission and Coach Todrick Pinkston and Mr. Chris Macon were in charge. Mr. Dennis Hayes was the emcee. We enjoyed messages from Chris Macon, Dewaun Walker, David Hilton, Datodrick Pinkston and the Dance Ministry under the direction of Shilina Pinkston. Following the program, all enjoyed the delicious dinner. Thanks to Mrs. Carolyn Knowles for the informative printed program. Rev. Henry Patrick is the pastor.
Rev. Ralph James, Pastor of Mount Moriah M. B. Church and his members celebrated Black History month February 25th with tributes to the Mt. Morial families, namely Harper, Macon, Lowery, Spann, Crudup, Washington, Deering, Mack, Earby, Riley, Robinson, Qualls, Youngblood, Bennett, Ficklin, Tillis, Sturkin, Robinson and White. Pastor James offered words of encouragement. It was a wonderful and informative program and the theme was “Celebrating Mt. Morah Families.”
MS College School of Law Black Law Student Association (R. Jess Brown Chapter) paid tribute to Attorney R. Jess Brown during Black History month. His mentee, Attorney Constance Slaughter-Harvey, was the keynote speaker and she was introduced by Law School Dean Patricia Bennett, formerly of Forest. Dean Bennett referenced Attorney Slaughter-Harvey as her mentor. Mr. and Mrs. Melvin (Bonnie Russell) Hodge of Pocahontas were among those in attendance. Mrs. Hodge is a Forest native.
Please mark your calendars for Monday, March 5th at 5:00 for a meeting of the W. L. Slaughter Subdivision Homeowners Association. The meeting will be held at the W. L. Slaughter Library.
Legacy Parents are meeting the second Sunday, March 11, 2018 at 4:00 in the W. L. Slaughter Library. President Johnson has requested the attendance of all parents at this very important meeting.
St. Michael Catholic Community Martha and Mary members are reminded of the upcoming meeting to be held Monday, March 13 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Parish Hall.
Stakeholders in Save Our Youth through Community Action will meet the fourth Monday, March 26th at 12:00 noon at the W. L. Slaughter Library.
Happy birthday greetings to March babies born during the first week in March, namely, Lillian Gray (1), Undrae Evans, Bobbie Harris Greer, and Mary Patrick (3), Alex Brown (4), and Ramona Strong, Letitia Ringo, Dezavian Evans (5).
Answer to Black History Month Quiz Teasers #2018-3: Carmen Gettis Castillo was the first African American to serve as Legal Counsel to a MS Governor. She served under former Governor Bill Allain from 1984-1988. Attorney Gettis-Castillo, a MS College School of Law graduate, was the first African American to serve as Chairwoman of the MS Parole Board in 1988.
Black History Month Quiz Teaser #2018-4: Which African American school teacher decided to become an attorney because his salary was less than that of white school teachers?
