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Kids & Family

Spirit and Pride Show Through at Black History Month Event

Food, exhibits, performances and a very special guest made up the Family Bible Fellowship Church's Black History Month event over the weekend.

The end of February also brings with it the end of Black History Month. 

To liven it up, the held its own Black History Month event on Feb. 26, which was attended by many, both young and old.

There was a lot to see and a lot to do for the large number of attendees that came to the event, beginning with a long line for lunch in the main dining area.

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From there, attendees proceeded to check out numerous exhibits on display, covering a wide area of black history.  There were books on display covering various periods of black history such as the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil War, exhibits dedicated to important black athletes in sports and present-day public figures, an exhibit of items invented by African Americans, and an exhibit covering events that took place during the Civil Rights Movement. 

There were also whole rooms dedicated to the history of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and President Barack Obama.

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In addition, there was a table of traditional African artifacts such as masks and statues on display and available for purchase, along with a table set up to register attendees to vote.

About an hour after the event started, a presentation was made, beginning with a story told by Pastor Horacio Jones about a boy who quickly discovers what the world would be like without black people. Specifically, items such as combs, refrigerators, traffic lights and irons would never have been invented.

Then, Pastor Jones introduced Fremont Unified School District Superintendent Lily Mei, Newark Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Dave Marken, and a representative from the New Haven Unified School District, who briefly spoke of how honored they were to be at the event.

This was followed by performances of an a capella gospel quartet called Purchase, and traditional African dancing that held the audience captive with its energy and spirit.

One of the highlights of the presentation was the few brief moments spoken by 93-year-old Tuskegee Air Force veteran Les Williams about what it was like to serve his country in World War II.  In addition to his short speech, he was also there to sell and sign copies of his book “Victory: Tales of a Tuskegee Airman.”

It was an afternoon spent learning and remembering the past, how it affects the present, and how it can prepare people for the future to come.

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