Black History Committee Keeps the Dream Alive

NEWBURGH – Dr. King was celebrated for his 50-year contribution to the advancement of civil rights on his birthday. The Black History Committee of the Hudson Valley celebrated the national holiday with a full day of programs at the First United Methodist Church.

The morning began with a “parade of cars.” Convening at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. statue on Dr. MLK Way in the City of Newburgh, the caravan traveled to the Church. Upon arrival guests were treated to an assortment of educational activities.

Adults were provided a workshop on breast cancer awareness, presented by the Orange County YWCA. Deaconess Patty Nelson and Rev. Nettie Womack were the workshop facilitators. They gave invaluable information on breast cancer, its detection, the importance of screenings, self-exams, and where to get additional information and/or support.

Malinda Ware leads a workshop for 3rd-5th graders as the Black History Committee of the Hudson Valley held its 49th Annual Martin Luther King Jr Celebration on Monday, January 15, 2018 at First United Methodist Church in Newburgh, NY. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

There was something for youth of all ages as well. The rooms usually reserved for Sunday school lessons were utilized by Shawna Newkirk-Reynolds, Malinda Ware, Dannie Dalton and Elijah Beamon to facilitate their workshops for the youth. Each tackled a different age group with age appropriate lessons on the importance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Middle and High School students read various Dr. King speeches and had in depth discussions on civil rights issues, while the younger one’s were engaged in more general conversations on King, his accomplishments in life, and of his dream of a beloved community.

The 2018 celebration marks the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s death, however it is the 49th memorial activity for the City of Newburgh community. The first service was held on January 15, 1969, his first birthday after his April 4, 1968 assassination.

Shawna Newkirk-Reynolds leads a workshop for kindergarten to second graders as the Black History Committee of the Hudson Valley held its 49th Annual Martin Luther King Jr Celebration on Monday, January 15, 2018 at First United Methodist Church in Newburgh, NY. Hudson Valley Press/CHUCK STEWART, JR.

Mrs. Sadie Tallie, President of the Black History Committee of the Hudson Valley, recalls that first celebration held in response to his death. “It was decided as a community that we would keep our children out of school on his birthday. But we didn’t just want to have a day off, we needed a day to mourn and address his work that still needed to be completed. We did not want his death to be in vain long before there was any talk of a national holiday. We just knew that we wanted our children to understand what had happened. So, we organized the day. Parents kept their children home but they also sent them to our program, held then at the Ebenezer Baptist Church. The church was packed with families. We organized classes and workshops and strategized on how to keep the dream alive.”

Tallie summed it up, saying, “It’s been our honor to continue to champion civil rights in the Hudson Valley community ever since. We are glad to stand with the Christian Ministerial Fellowship as they remain faithful to advocating Dr. King’s legacy on the day of his birth, January 15th.”

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