Featured photo: Linkin’ Bridge
Written by Tanya Terry
The Genesee District Library (GDL) 20th Anniversary Black History Celebration is coming to the Flint area at 7 p.m. Thursday Feb. 11-and it’s coming with boldness! For 20 years this even has inspired our community! In addition, it’s especially important to celebrate in the midst of a pandemic, because people need something uplifting in their lives right now, according to Kelly Flynn, community relations manager for the GDL.
“In this program, we touch base with some of the people who have been honored by Genesee District Library over the last 19 years,” Flynn said. “This is an opportunity to remind people that there’s always been a lot of good in the world; there still is, and there will continue to be. Because we are looking back over 19 years, we are able to offer viewers a positive perspective.”
The program will also include performances by the a cappella group, Linkin’ Bridge, who performed at the 2018 Brunch and were finalists in season 11 of “America’s Got Talent“ and Voices of Service, finalists in season 14 of “America’s Got Talent.” In addition, Dr. Traci Currie will share a powerful poem.
Linkin’ Bridge is an a cappella group out of Louisville, Kentucky.
“They chose their name – Linkin’ Bridge – because they want to be the link that builds bridges between people,” Flynn told the Flint Courier News
“(And) that is what we do with our annual Black History celebration,” she added. “We bring people together and showcase individuals who are making a difference in our community.”
Voices of Service is a military singing quartet which represents the excellence that exists within our military and veteran communities and are an inspiring example for the nation that they serve, have served and continue to serve through music.
“The song they will perform, ‘Let Me Raise My Voice,’ is very moving. People will be inspired.”
Currie’s poem is titled ‘Joy.’
Many people know Dr. Currie as a local spoken word artist and former UM-Flint communications professor. She has been in the education field for over 20 years as a professor, teaching artist, multi-disciplinary facilitator and mixed media artist-activist (or artivist). This Jamerican poet currently lives in Delaware and is the program director for the Urban Artists Exchange, a creative placemaking space in Wilmington, Delaware.
“Dr. Currie’s work is powerful and wise.”
Flynn said the public is more appreciative of poetry because Amanda Gorman recited her poetry at the inaugural ceremony for President Joe Biden.
“Amanda Gorman is amazing! She has definitely made people aware of the power of poetry.”
Flynn said the GDL did not choose honorees this year.
“Instead, we are touching base with honorees from the last 20 years, to see how their service work has evolved since they were honored.”
The process for choosing honorees is to first accept nominations from the community.
“The nomination form is thorough, and people typically include letters of support. Then the Black History Month Brunch Advisory Committee meets to discuss them, and they complete a rubric for each nominee. We look for people and organizations who are catalysts for change, who lead by example and who diligently work to make our community stronger. The rubrics are tallied, and the honorees are chosen.
The GDL typically honors individuals with the Award of Excellence, and they honor organizations with the Partner in Progress Award.
“At Genesee District Library we recognize that service takes many forms. Every recipient has either done important service work or has inspired us by example. We have honored business leaders, educators, coaches, clergy (and) politicians; people who do a wide variety of good work.”
To watch this year’s event, tune into ABC 12 at 7 p.m. Thursday Feb. 11
For those who do not have access to ABC12, the program will be simultaneously streamed on GDL’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
Hopes are the brunch will return to being in person in 2022!
