Black History Month celebrated at RCC; “We will continue to write stories; we will continue to sing our songs”
Robeson Community College in partnership with the RCC Early College held a celebration of Black History Month today.
“We are honored to have you here with us today as we observe Black History Month and remember the contributions of African Americans,” stated RCC President Melissa Singler as she welcomed guests to the event.
Black history is American History, and the event was filled with moments of praise for Black inventors such as Alexander Miles, writers like Langston Hughes, and singers – many known and many unknown, such as those who have passed down spiritual songs and hymnals that are still sung today.
“Black History Month is not only a month of Black history but of Black excellence,” Jayden Morrisey, a student in the RCC Early College said. “We will continue to write stories; we will continue to sing our songs…”
Majorette Dancers Emily Locklear, Rikki Hanner, Aonesty Lytch, and Jaleiya Odom took to the stage to give a performance that was met with applause. And the First PSRC Early College Choir gave several performances, singing Anything by Anita Wilson, Every Praise by Hezekiah Walker, and One More Chance by Ricky Dillard.
Pastor Kelvin Barnes of Sandy Grove Baptist Church was the guest speaker who led the charge to students.
“I want to talk about you about being yourself,” said Pastor Barnes. “Many of us have been trying to please others for such a long time that we have already forgotten who we really are, no one knows what makes us truly happy but ourselves…. You will never be happy if you are constantly trying to please others.”
“Just because someone else behaves in a certain way doesn’t mean that you have to behave like them,” Barnes said. “Enjoy all that you have that makes you who you are… there will always be some people who look down upon you, but you don’t need to care about them.”
“There are some journeys in life that are meant to be hard, they are teaching moments in life,” said Barnes. “That’s why there are lessons in our life that we must understand.”
“I will close by saying, be the best sister you can be, be the best brother you can be, the best son, the best daughter, the best teammate, be the best authentic you that you can be,” Barnes said. “Let us start today by being kind always to one another, leaving no one behind but working together until everyone in our community is able to free themselves from the oppression of life.”
Dr. Anthony Barton, the principal of the RCC Early College, ended the ceremony with closing remarks, thanking Teresa Imbufe for organizing the event and for allowing the students to “lead with great resolve” in designing the program that was held today.
