Featured photo: Black History Month Brunch honorees and attendees were delighted by another year’s amazing event.
Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
Although the Genesee District Library’s 23rd Annual Black History Month Brunch was held on Feb. 3, the event’s impact will continue to be felt for years to come!
Judge Glenda Hatchett was the event’s keynote speaker. She talked to a crowd of thrilled attendees about how her childhood experiences in the Deep South shaped her. For example, as a child in first grade, she asked the teacher for a new book after noticing her books were missing pages, taped together and “nasty.” The teacher told her “colored children don’t get new books.” When she asked her dad, a deacon at his church, about this, he responded by saying: “She’s right. Colored children don’t get new books. So, I want you get your crayon, and I want you to sit down, and I want you to write your own story.”
Hatchett, the event’s honorees and many others are doing just that! They are writing their own stories, helping to change a narrative in which Blacks are oppressed and depressed to one in which our rich history is appreciated. In doing so, they inspire others to do great things as well.
Hatchett’s background includes spending nearly 10 years at Delta Airlines as the airline’s highest-ranking woman of color worldwide. There, she served as senior attorney. She later was appointed as chief presiding judge of Fulton County (for Atlanta, Georgia), which made her the first Black chief presiding judge of the state. In addition, the TV show “Judge Hatchett” was a two-time Emmy-nominated nationally syndicated show.
Currently, Hatchett is working as of-counsel for Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys in Atlanta and has returned to TV for the new syndicated TV court series, “The Verdict with Judge Hatchett.”
Attendees to the brunch were treated to a feature performance by the Kuungana African Drum & Dance Company. Baba Collins started Kuungana African Drum & Dance Company 30 years ago to teach young people in the community about their heritage.
It was the first time 14-year-old Kyle Mance performed African drum and dance. Mance said Black history and knowing about his culture is important, and the performance was something the community needs.
Makayla Terry, age 11, performed last year for the brunch as well as in 2024. Terry said she wanted the public to know that not only adults, but children also care about Black history and their culture.
Pastor Kevin Thompson, Sr. offered an invocation, which seemed to have blessed the brunch to those who attended, who say were touched to help spread the blessing.
Dwayne “Wayne the Barber” Harrington, Isaiah Oliver and Pastor Kevin Thompson, Sr. each were presented an Award of Excellence at the annual brunch for the tremendous positive impacts they have had on the area.
Harrington is a master barber with 24 years of experience. He owns Dwayne’s Barbershop, in downtown Flint. He is known for his outstanding efforts to provide free grooming to those who may not otherwise be able to afford it.
Each fall, Harrington sponsors a large back-to-school rally through which attendees can receive free haircuts, shampoos and styles, backpacks, food and school supplies. He partners with the Flint & Genesee Job & Resource Fair to give free haircuts to job seekers. Additionally, he partners with Carriage Town Ministries and Baker College for grooming events.
Harrington said receiving the award reminded him of the hardship his mother faced as a single parent on welfare, raising three kids.
“She taught me the value of people and how to love and give of myself, one person at a time,” Harrington added.
Oliver served as the president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint for six years. He has served diligently on several local boards, including the Flint Public Schools Board, where he was president. He was previously vice-chair of the Council of Michigan Foundations Board of Trustees, chairman of the Michigan Community Foundation Committee and on the Community Foundation’s Public Awareness Initiative steering committee.
Currently, he is serving as chair of the board of trustees at his alma mater, Central Michigan University, is a member of the CFLeads National Board of Directors, is on the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy’s Leadership Council and on the Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE) Board of Directors.
I appreciate the acknowledgment, “said Oliver, now president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.
“It’s an honor and a privilege, but it’s one of those awards where I feel like I need to live into it. I haven’t done all the work that’s necessary to earn this type of privilege. I am standing on the shoulders of giants. Their ceiling is my floor. I’m really trying to figure out how I can continue to live into this honor…I’m thankful to the Genesee District Library for honoring leaders in this community, celebrating Black history month, starting it off with a bang.”
Thompson accepted his calling into ministry in 1994 and was licensed to preach the gospel in 1996. He was ordained by the late Bishop M.C. Akins in 1988.
Thompson set up a water center at St. Mark Baptist Church during the Flint Water Crisis. Besides water, community members could get water filters, baby formula and other resources there. Additionally, Thompson leads biweekly food distribution and afterschool tutorial services for children and has worked on suicide prevention, in addition to serving the community in various other capacities.
“When destiny and purpose come together, it forms a stick of dynamite,” said Thompson. “In our community, here – Genesee County, Flint, Michigan – together we can make a difference.”
This year’s Partner in Progress Award was given to Bethel United Methodist Church, which has built a reputation of caring about and assisting Flint and Genesee County for over 100 years! The church has served the community through a Fair Housing Seminar, an Expungement Fair and a Home Grant Program with Chemical Bank. The church offers weekly food and water distribution and hosts clothing drives. They provide job opportunities and adult and youth education and training meetings. They facilitate the Bethel Health Center three days a week, and they provide after-school tutoring programs and various summer youth programs.
”I’m reminded of something the good brother James Baldwin once said,” stated Rev. Naylo Hopkins of Bethel United. “Not everything that’s faced is changed, but nothing can be changed until it’ faced.”
Matt Franklin, Emmy award-winning journalist and news anchor for WJRT ABC 12 was the master of ceremonies for the incredible event. Davide Conklin, director of Genesee District Library and Linda Ryals-Massey, board chair of the library also spoke, which only made the event more exquisite to its many attendees.
“Black history is my heritage,” said Flint-Genesee County Resident Judy Miller. “So many Black leaders have paved the way for me, and so many more. So, there is a great opportunity for us to continue the legacy of our culture.”
Many of those who attended, or who were not able to attend, are already looking forward to a 24th Annual Black History Month Brunch.
In the meantime, they are revering Black history and its significance to everyone.
