The journey continues

In words, dance and song, members of the community celebrated Black History Month at the library on Feb. 22. Voices young and old rose in praise during the two-hour event that was hosted by the Rockville Centre /Lakeview Community Action Program and the Economic Opportunity Council of Nassau County.

Acting EOC Family Development Program Director Vern L. Jinks welcomed the audience that filled the library’s basement conference room. Retired EOC Director Ernestine Small gave the invocation which was followed by a rendition of the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

After Village Trustee Ed Oppenheimer was acknowledged, children from the Rockville Centre/Lakeview HeadStart program got the program off to a musical start with three songs, the last of which was “I’m Going to be Proud of Me.”

Next came a dance presentation by four members of a Freeport-based troupe called W.A.R.F.A.R.E —Warriors Against Rulers, Forces and Realms of Evil. The first of their two performances that were choreographed for Black History Month and dedicated to Haiti, depicted the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the calls for calm and unity that followed announcement of his death.

Following that, students who attend the EOC’s After School Youth Program offered biographical snippets and quotes from famous African Americans including Denzel Washington, Lionel Hampton, Frederick Douglass, Maya Angelou, Coretta Scott King, George Washington Carver, Benjamin Banneker, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Sojourner Truth, Susie King Taylor and President Barack Obama.

The evening’s program also included a reading and two poems, “West End,” by Deidre Walker and “Making History.” After closing remarks, the audience, especially its youngest members were invited to enjoy refreshments.

Comments about this story? RVCeditor@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.