Suburban Sugar Land Women Hosted Black History Month Events
Willowridge High School Marine ROTC students with instructor Luc Cadet, Gunnery Sergeant (R). The cadets gave a colors presentation at the Feb. 24 history program.
PBS Documentary Premiere At UH-Sugar Land And Arts Program At Library Highlighted Activities
For Suburban Sugar Land Women and Partners, (SSLW) February was a phenomenal month for membersof the nonprofit group to serve others in the community.
One of the highlights in honor of Black History Month included the Feb. 19 community involvement program when SSLW and A Concerned Citizens Group (ACCG) hosted the premiere live streaming of the new PBS documentary, Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities. The event was held at the University of Houston at Sugar Land. SSLW appreciated the efforts of UH-Sugar Land’s associate vice president and chief operating officer Dr. Jay Neal, Catherine L. Brown, Albert Fang, Maisum Rizvi, and Naushil Parasala for facilitating the screening at the facility. Afterward, audience members discussed the film and the 150-year history of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
SSLW’s largest event took place on Feb. 24 when its members and ACCG also hosted a two-hour program at the First Colony Branch Library on “African Americans in the Arts.” The audience of approximately 100 enjoyed nonstop educational, entertaining and empowering experiences.
The event included a Color Guard presentation by Willowridge High School Marine ROTC unit, comprised of students Devine Rolling, Deontre Jenkins, Alejandro Catanela and Mina Hinojosa, under the leadership of Luc Cadet, Gunnery Sergeant. Entertainment also featured a performance sung by the audience of Lift Every Voice and Sing, which is often referred to as the Black National Anthem and written by James Weldon Johnson, and a spoken word piece, The Creation, delivered by Elise Leaks Harmon.
Two superb dance performances were given by the Hightower High School African Dance Troupe, comprised of Amara Smith, Siani Jones, Christine Okoro and Marilyn Okoro. Amara Smith also recited her original inspiring poem, Generational. The dance troupe’s head sponsor and co-sponsor are Ibironke Balogun and Demetria Jones.
The program also featured a display of artwork by Glover Elementary School student artists Beautiful Baker, Mayah Cornelious, Miguel Cornelious, Adam Jordan, Kenshell Lilly, Zanilyah McVon, Cora Porter, London Prince, Savannah Redd, Jaylan Sanders, Keonna Shannon and Laylah Thornton under the leadership of art instructor Rosalind Riggs.
The audience was encouraged to continue viewing historic exhibits, ending the program with a 20-question quiz. The last two questions asked were, “What two things did you learn today?”
Student volunteers included: Fort Bend ISD, Hightower High School: Will Johnson, Papa Frimpong Badu, Amber Johnson, and Langston Taylor; Fort Bend ISD, Dulles High School: Oreluna Ogemsanya; Pearland ISD, Pearland Dawson High School: Seth Hogan; Stafford MSD: Kahleab Hill; and Wharton County Junior College: Ugochi Chuke. All students received a certificate of participation from SSLW and ACCG.
Project chair of the library event was Elise Leaks Harmon and co-chair was Tomika Lewis. Adult volunteers included Gloria Austin, display designer; Mable Scott Austin, photographer; and Mose Austin, audience coordinator.
Later that day, SSLW members also attended the annual African American History Program at Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, featuring a performance by the internationally renowned Texas Southern University (TSU) debate team under the leadership of the legendary Dr. Thomas Freeman. A professor at TSU for 69 years, Freeman is 98 years old. He also preached a sermon (without the Bible or notes) for the evening service at the church. He and the debate team received standing ovations.
For more information on SSLW and its many community activities and free services that support children, youth and adults in Fort Bend and beyond, email [email protected], visit sslw.org or call 713-256-7953.
FBISD’s Glover Elementary aspiring artists with art instructor Rosalind Riggs at the Feb. 24 African Americans in the Arts program.
(L-R) The African American History Program committee: Elise Leaks Harmon, chair; Donisha Smith; Mose Austin; Mable Scott Austin; Tomika Lewis; and Rosalind Riggs.
(L-R): Elise Leaks Harmon, founder of A Concerned Citizens Group; Evelyn Peters Dean, president of Suburban Houston-Fort Bend Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.; Mable Scott Austin, President of Suburban Sugar Land Women; and Dr. Thomas Randle, Superintendent of Lamar CISD, discussed ways to assist students at a Feb. 13 meeting
Ninth-grader Seth Hogan and his grandmother Elise Leaks Harmon, SSLW member and founder of A Concerned Citizens Group, volunteer at the African Americans in the Arts history program in Sugar Land. Seth is one badge away from Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts.
High school students from Fort Bend, Katy, Lamar, and Stafford school districts attended the Feb. 19 PBS premiere live streaming of Tell Them We Are Rising at UH-Sugar Land.
