African-American novelist James Baldwin eloquently said, “Know from whence you came. If you know whence you came, there are absolutely no limitations to where you can go.”
Not just words, but a charge Baldwin gave.
Such a charge is why beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Washington County Convention Center, the City of Greenville’s Mayor’s Youth Council will present its fifth annual Black History Celebration titled, “Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future.”
Kyla Washington, Program coordinator and executive assistant to Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons, is extending the invitation to students in grades 9-12 from all public, private and parochial schools.
The celebration will feature Jackson State’s University’s MADDRAMA Performance Troupe.
Nationally renowned Making a Difference Doing Respectable and Meaningful Art (MADDRAMA), was founded by Mark Henderson on the campus of Jackson State University.
The O’Bannon High School Choir, JM Kelly Creative Arts School and the T.L. Weston Middle School Voices of Valor will render performances as well as the Mayor’s Youth Council students.
Sponsors for the celebration include Harlow’s Casino Resort and Spa, Guaranty Bank, Dawkins Office Supply, Hooker Engineering, Lake Tindall LLP, and Eta Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
In-kind donations were made by Garfield’s Restaurant, Domino’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, Pasquale’s, Little Caesers, Bing’s County Market, and Shopper’s Value.
“This event is a student-centered, all-inclusive community event to educate our children about our past to enhance our future together,” Mayor Simmons said.
The event is free and open to the public.
