By Karl Cameron | Contributing Writer
WILMINGTON—Gregory Congregational Church UCC and Burnett-Eaton Museum Foundation held and African American History Month Celebration on Feb. 15th on Gregory’s Grounds in Wilmington, NC. The program opened with a rhythmic Gospel Rendition by Ms. Jacqueline Brown, which was followed by Gregory Congregational UCC’s Interim Pastor Rev. Walter Samuels prayer. Then everyone sang the Black National Anthem, “Left Every Voice and Sing.” Ms. Islah Speller, Founder of the Burnett-Eaton Museum Foundation (BEMF), followed that up with the reciting of Maya Angelou’s “Still I rise.”
Trustee Caren Gordon then came forward, and welcomed everyone to the occasion, and introduced our emcee for the evening, Deaconess Cynthia Sparrow. Deacon Sparrow then, one-by-one introduced our speakers, including Ezekiel Nelson, Metaphysician, Drummer; Damiyr Speller, Co-founder, BEMF; Attorney Peter Grear, Greater Diversity News Co-Publisher and Chairman of the NC Chapter of the African Diaspora Development Institute; and Paul R. Jervay Jr., Former Co-Publisher of The Carolinian.
Each of these men made presentations that not only spoke to our history, but also to our future. Ezekiel Nelson opened urging us to “Walk to the Beat of Our Ancestors.” This informative presentation told us of the dynamic of the communication tool which the drums are in our culture, as well as the rhythms of our bodies, which have healing significance. He also favored us with his drumming skills to everyone’s enjoyment. Damiyr Speller followed with an eye-opening video presentation about the Dogon People of Mali Africa, and their uncanny knowledge of the cosmos.
Attorney Peter Grear followed, beginning his presentation by telling us that we are in a Second Civil Rights Movement, where the same forces of yesteryear are attacking DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), and are extracting Africa’s wealth, controlling economics across the Caribbean and Europe, and ensuring that Black People, no matter where the are, remain locked out of true financial independence. Attorney Grear when on to say that everyone should read “Confessions of an Economic Hitman”, a book by Dr. Arikana Chibombori-Quo, which speaks to the Western Corporate system following a blueprint of exploitation. He further emphasized that the Second Civil Rights Movement must be Global, and offered a means to African Citizenship to all in attendance.
Paul R. Jervay Jr. followed Mr. Grear, speaking on “Challenges of the “Free Press” and the African American Community. He told of who his father, P.R. Jervay Sr., met the challenges of publishing The Carolinian through the years, and how he was an innovator in the field of Black Newspaper, creating the NC Newspaper Network, which distributed Black Newspapers across North Carolina, as well as South Carolina, and Tennessee. Down through the years, he told of how his father embraced technology to better serve the African American community with news, photos, and editorial content relative to Black Life. Mr. Jervay Jr. concluded his comments by saying, “Our challenge of today is getting our publications in as many African American hands across the state as possible. We can do that not only with mailed subscriptions, but e-subscriptions that come directly to your smart phone.” He continued by saying, “that’s where you come in. Your future, as well as mine is tied to factual information that you can get on a regular basis through your Black Newspaper.”
Ms. Jacqueline Brown favored us with a spirited Gospel Song, before James White, USCT Reenactor, Curator, and Author called our attention to an extensive exhibit that he made available to us on the occasion. He also told us how we could get involved in his program.
Gregory Church Trustee Caren Gordon thanked everyone for making the African American History Month Celebration a success.
