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Mt. Olive celebrates history with praise

Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Grambling sponsored a black history program on Sunday, Feb. 24. “A Black History Celebration Honoring our Past, Present and Our Future Leaders of America” was the theme for the program. The guest speaker was Caldwell Dunn, and the guest choir was Zion Hill Baptist Church. The program began with praise and worship, lead by Douglas Houston. He asked those assembled to sing “I Will Trust in the Lord.”

Then greetings were given by Chastity Gant, who was followed by a selection from Zion Hill’s choir.

The emcees for the black history program were Grambling State University students Jemila Awina and Daron Worrell, who introduced the ten children who were featured in the program. Each child represented a prominent African American. As the children were introduced, background information was given about them and the leaders.

The following children represented these leaders: “Shyra Bradford, Dr. Martin L. King Jr.; Khalis Nicole Clinton, John H. Johnson; Shania E. Treece Clinton, Condoleeza Rice; Lauora Gladys Ann Elmore, Eddie G. Robinson; Kyle Flournoy, Conrad Hutchinson; Berniya Latagee Littleton, Martha Bennette Woodard Andrus; Kemira Haziona McCartey, Pinke C. Wilkerson and Richard Gallot Jr.; Alex Malik Smith, Maya Angelou; Xavion Ja’Ier Hamilton, Gordon Parks Sr.; and Decorvin J. Spivey Jr., Barack Obama.
Mt. Olive’s drill team, led by Raymond Walker, marched in singing “We Are Soldiers in the Army of the Lord.” When asked who their leader was, they responded,” Pastor E. L. Johnson!

Then they recited John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”
One member, Dandrica, said, “Dr. King made so many contributions to the world because he knew what the scriptures said in Phillipians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

The team gave background information about Dr. King that included his birthplace, profession, education, the Montgomery bus boycott, and his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. As they exited they sang, “We Shall Overcome.”

Zion Hill’s dance team performed to Kurt Franklin’s “Stomp” and “Order My Steps.”

After being introduced by his brother Keith, Dunn delivered his black history message. “When we talk about black history, we talk about people of the past. I was glad to see the young people showcased today.”

Quoting a dictionary, he said that history is the “chronological development or significant events of a people.” Dunn said, “Eli Whitney, George Washington Carver, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. are black people who have done great things, often during trying times.”

“History is being made now. Study black history in two ways: continue to study and learn about great things black people have done in the past. Concentrate on your story. Each one of us will have a story. No one can determine the outcome of your story except you,” said Dunn.

He advised the audience to write a story that will be noteworthy in history, so great that someone will have to tell it.

He said, “Young people, stay in church. Be committed; get your education. There is still time and room for your story to still be added. Fifty years from now, your story can be added.”

He concluded by saying, “Mt. Olive, what will be your story? We celebrate Black history as we make Black history.