News

Black History celebrated

Thursday, February 14, 2008 11:29 AM EST

NILES - The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Niles Branch will host the annual Living Black History Program.

The theme is "Let it begin with me," according to the Rev. Saundria H. Wilson, president of the NAACP.

The free event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Ring Lardner Middle School, 801 N. 17th St. Niles.

The speaker for the program is Lawrence Giden, a member the Civil Rights Heritage Center at Indiana University, South Bend, Ind.

Young people are invited to share a brief "Black History" lesson that day.

Lawana Wortham is coordinating a Community Choir for the program. There will be Black History displays, materials, activities and fun for the whole family. Don't forget to register for a door prize.

NAACP membership and voter registration materials will also be available. Everyone is invited. Bring the family.

Please join them for pizza and refreshments after the program. For more information call Wilson at 683-6032.

Library Black History event

NILES - Much is known about the painting of Sojourner Truth and Abraham Lincoln that hangs in the Main Corridor of the Niles District Library, but little has been known about the artist Lottie Wilson.

Nelson Hill, a relative of Lottie Wilson, will present the results of recent research in a program honoring Lottie on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Rotunda of the Niles District Library.

Hill will discuss other known works of art by Lottie Wilson as well as her ancestors, education, marriages and children. Lottie's great-grandfather Dennis Hill, who was Nelson's great-great-great-grandfather, came to Niles in 1842 and purchased 80 acres of land on the Berrien and Cass County border. This was the beginning of the proud history of one of Niles' pioneer families.

Hill was born and raised in Mishawaka, Ind. and is the retired Manager of Purchasing, Quality of Assurance, Accounting, and Security at Rockwell Distribution Center. He married Sharon Flint of Niles and has two sons and two grandchildren. Sharon and Nelson have been researching their family genealogy for the last couple of years.

Benton Harbor's "Say It Loud

- We're Black and Proud"

BENTON HARBOR - Many free events have been planned throughout the month in honor of Black History Month:

Friday, Feb. 15 - 6 to 9 p.m. Majestic Gallery, 90 West Main St. Author, Educator, Motivational & Christian Speaker, Bertha Carson-King, will begin the evening. A native of Benton Harbor, Mrs. King has been an educator, diversity consultant, and motivational speaker for over 30 years. She is the author of "I Am Who I Am: A Work In Progress." She has also written two other books. She is a co founder of Strong Women of Faith Breast Cancer Support Group, student of United Christian Faith Ministries, and a Christian Women's keynote speaker and workshop presenter around the country. This program will focus on motivation and empowerment - past, present and future - in our community and the world. A special presentation of "Standing On My Sisters' Shoulders" will be shown later in the evening.

Saturday, Feb. 16 - 1 to 3 p.m. Benton Harbor Public Library, 213 East Wall St. will host a children's program including a movie and crafts. Refreshments will be served.

- 7 to 10 p.m. Majestic Gallery, 90 West Main St. Musical tribute to James Brown, Al Green, Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Tupac and many other great artist. Performers include local artist Chi-Boy, Ellis Bethea, Zapp Solo, Young Monkey, and The Duo.

Sunday, Feb. 17 - 4 p.m. Majestic Gallery, 90 West Main St. "Old Time Religion" Mother & Daughter, Ethel Donald & Mary White will take us down memory lane.

Minority Coalition of Cass County

Black History breakfast

CASSOPOLIS - The Minority Coalition of Cass County is hosting a Black History Breakfast Tuesday, Feb. 19, from 7 to 10 a.m. at Bonnie and Clyde's Restaurant, 930 E. State St., Cassopolis.

Sponsors of the breakfast include the Council on Aging and Midwest Energy Cooperative.

There is no charge for the traditional breakfast, featuring bacon and eggs, grits, baked apples, coffee and juice, however, donations are appreciated.

Keynote speaker is Dr. C. Vanessa White, who will speak at 8:30 a.m. on "Black Spirituality."

White is the assistant professor of spirituality and director of the Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

For more information, contact Rita Reed at (269) 273-6154.

White's Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program is a theological and pastoral formation program for African American Catholics who are pursuing graduate study in preparation for ministerial leadership at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

She is a member of the summer faculty and coordinator of spiritual formation at Xavier University of Louisiana's Institute for Black Catholic Studies.

White is former director of the Claretian Volunteers and Lay Missionaries as well as former director of High School Retreats at the Christian Brothers' LaSalle Manor Retreat Center.

In 2005, she received her doctor of ministry degree with a concentration in spirituality from Catholic Theological Union.

Her doctoral thesis project was entitled, "Somebody's Calling My Name: Discerning Worship in the African American Catholic Community."

White is co-editor of the book, "Songs of the Heart and Meditations of the Soul: Prayers for Black Catholics," published by St. Anthony Messenger Press, and contributing author in the book "Liturgy and Justice" published by Liturgical Press.

She has published articles in the National Religious Vocation Conference journal Horizons, New Theology Review and U.S. Catholic Magazine.

Print this story   |   Email this story