Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by L.M. Land
Black History Month kicked off in Flint February 1 with the Genesee District Library’s 24th Annual Black History Month Bruch, which recognized those who have made history and those who will make a difference in lives for years to come.
David Conklin, director of the GDL, said the event was important, and libraries are important.
“They both go hand in hand,” Conklin added.
Conklin told event attendees that in Texas there are 12 different laws being put forth that would put librarians in jail just for having certain books in their libraries.
The Los Angeles Times reported that during the 2023-24 school year, there were more than 10,000 book bans in public schools — a 200% rise over the previous year. And according to PEN America, of the 23 picture books banned in at least two districts in the 2023-24 school year, 17 had characters of color.
Conklin said these laws were intended “nationally to take choices out of the hands of people like you and the hands of professionals” like him.
Matt Franklin of ABC 12 served as the event’s master of ceremonies.
During the event, though Linda Ryals-Massey, board chairman for the Genesee District Library could not be present, her remarks were read. In them, she talked about how the United States was built on the work of Black Americans.
“The power of the people is greater than the people of the power,” her remarks read.
Awards of Excellence were given to local residents who are making history by their immense impact today.
One of those awardees was Baba Kevin Collins, who leads the African Drum and Dance Parent Association and owns Kuungana African Drum and Dance Company .
“I graduated from Flint Northern High School,” shared Collins. “Back in those days we had so much fine arts and history and music into the school. So, I was always into the music. I also went and studied West African culture…We brought it back and we brought it into the Flint schools and the company is history. We 32 years, and we’re still here.”
Collins also shared he would like to have an arts and culture center on the north side of Flint.
“It’s about to happen,” Collins said with complete confidence as he accepted the award.
Another Award of Excellence was given to Mayor Sheldon Neeley.
A video shown during the brunch highlighted some of Neeley’s work as mayor, such as stabilizing Flint’s pension system and growing the city’s economy.
Neeley said it was important for he and other Flint residents to show honor to local historical figures, such as Floyd J. McCree, the first black mayor of a major American city post-Reconstruction, of whom there is a statue of outside of Flint City Hall. He also pointed out that bronze sculptures depicting esteemed Flint women Sybyl Atwood,the late Olive Beasley, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, Claressa Shields, Edith Spencer and the late Frances Wilson Thompson are on display in the front lobby of City Hall.
“We also have a Black future that will one day be a Black past,” said Neeley.
The third Award of Excellence was given to Dr. Rabon Turner, pastor of Grace Emmanuel Church. The church embraces service and has always provided scholarships to community members.
While on the podium, Dr. Beverly Brown talked about her experience with Pastor Turner. Brown pointed out that Pastor Turner had recently recorded a message on positivity and said Turner “takes that positivity wherever he goes.”
Brown stated: “Hope is as infectious as despair.”
The Partner in Progress Award was given to the Floyd J. McCree Theatre, led by Charles Winfrey.
Winfrey pointed out the theatre is one of only a small handful of Afrocentric theatres in Michigan with its own building.
“What we’re about is telling our stories in our voice,” stated Winfrey.
Keynote Speaker Chris Singleton is the son of one of the nine churchgoers who lost their lives due to a hate crime after gathering at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
Despite the devastating loss of his mother Sharonda Singleton, Singleton shared the message that “love is stronger than hate.”
The most powerful part of the event was when Singleton had everyone hug each other and say “I love you.”
Singleton also shared that Tywanza Sanders, who also died in the tragic shooting trying to save while trying to save others, posted on Facebook the day he died a quote by Baseball Player Jackie Robison: “A life is not important except in the impact that it has on other lives.”
Singleton thanked the library for reaching out to him and allowing him to speak at the brunch and said he hoped the messages he and others shared at the event would be remembered and have an impact for days and even years to come.
