NAACP Puts on Superb Black History Month Celebration Event

I have to send out major kudos to the East County NAACP who put on an event that was not only educational regarding Black History Month, but it was inspiring and entertaining.

Charles Glasper opened up the event followed by Rev. Dr. Mario R. Howell leading the event with a prayer. A presentation of colors was performed by the Mt. Diablo High School JROTC.

Three 6^th grade girls from the NAACP Youth Council performed the Negro National Anthem which was beautiful. Their voices lit up the room.

Antioch Mayor Wade Harper and Assemblyman Jim Frazier each spoke for a few minutes and spoke on the importance of Black History Month and how much of an impact African Americans have had on this country and around the world. Although they did not speak, Antioch Council members Tony Tiscareno and Monica Wilson were also in attendance.

Frankie Robinson provided a moving version of the poem “The Negro Mother” while a Deer Valley High School Student entertained the crowd with an African Dance. Mary Thorton did a liturgical of “Still I Rise” by Dr. Maya Angelou.

A real treat came as the event provided a timeline of history with African Americans from when they first were transported to this country in the form of slavery, to voting rights, to Barack Obama becoming the first African American President. This portion of the event featured skits mimicking Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Malcolm X. Odessa LeFrancois then closed the event thanking everyone for attending.

Here are some photographs of the event, click to enlarge or view the slideshow.