The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

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Youth from Mt. Zion Baptist Soldiers for the Lord Steppers were present Saturday. information on notable black historical figures at Saturday’s Black History Month Celebration. RECORD PHOTO: Penny LeLeux

It was a day of education Saturday, at the Orange Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Black History Month Program. It was held at the Joe Ware Plaza on W. Park Street in Orange, following a parade.

The program was opened with singing of “Lift Every Voice.”

“What if there were no black folk,” a children’s story told by Vinnie Mathews Hunter, was not only entertaining, but very educational to many present.

According to the tale, black inventors and innovators are responsible for many everyday items we take for granted including the ironing board, combs, brushes, dust pans, mops, light bulb filaments, clothes dryers, the pencil sharpener, fountain pens, typewriters, lawn mowers, refrigerators, car parts, traffic signals, the furnace, air conditioners, trolleys and more.

Marie Sanders claimed her voice was hoarse, but it was not apparent in her rousing, heartfelt rendition of Kumbayah.

Several local churches participated in Black History research presentations. Each church gave brief five minute presentations on the history of many notable black citizens that have contributed to the advancement of life in America.

Presentations were hosted by Kingdom Fellowship Tabernacle Church, Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, El Bethel Baptist Church, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Sixth Street Community Church, Salem United Methodist Church, St. Paul Baptist Church and St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church.

Dr. Jackie Mayfield, the interim president of the NAACP, gave a recap of Black History Research and explained the importance of educating children on their history by local people because of a lack of representation in state education of black contributions.

Addie Allen, an Orange candidate for the U.S. Senate spoke on the importance of voter awareness and the delays this year in the primary due to the legal battle over redistricting.

She also made voters aware of the new requirement of presenting photo identification such as a state driver’s license or Texas ID card to vote.

Allen encouraged, too, those 17 and-a-half or older to register now to be eligible to vote in the November election.