As February approaches, the Okefenokee Heritage Center is geared up to host a series of events in celebration of African American History Month.
Rehearsals are currently taking place at the OHC with Purlie Productions for a production of “God’s Trombones” – a series of seven sermons written by James Weldon Johnson, author of Lift Every Voice and Sing. These sermons were written down to show how slaves used to share the Bible to people who could not read. The sermons go through the entirety of the Bible and will be separated with Slave Spirituals, arranged by Mr. Willie Character, and an acapella choir. Music composed by Mr. Character will also accompany the speakers, who include Rev. Linda Titus, Rev. William Simmons, Rev. Herlene Fluker, Bishop Michael-Angelo James, Pastor Johnny Gipson, and Aaron Mack Carver.
The performance will be at Historic Antioch First Baptist Church at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, and Saturday. Feb. 11. Admission will be free, though donations will be accepted. The Black Heritage Committee at the Okefenokee Heritage Center is proud to partner with Purlie Productions and the Antioch First Baptist Church, founded by Rev. Frank Hazzard in 1869. Hazzard made a huge impact on Ware County through the founding of his church, school, and African American Board of Education. His contributions created a sort of utopia in Waycross that continued into the Civil Rights Era. Hazzard’s son Peter Likely was the Ware County representative to the Republican National Convention in 1910 and in 1912 nominated Theodore Roosevelt for president. These stories have been lost, but through the research of the Red Hill Cemetery Project, the Black Heritage Committee seeks to share these and other stories with the world. The Black Heritage Committee meets the second Friday of every month at 12 p.m. at the Okefenokee Heritage Center.
The month of February will feature artist Xavius Toombs showcasing his calligraphy art at the OHC. His work includes a picture of the World Trade Center comprised of everyone who perished in the attacks on September 11th.
Gracie Chandler, award winning author of the book “Free to Be,” will be at the OHC on February 25 from 3 to 5 p.m. to give a free talk about the slave experience in South Georgia. A Sapelo Island native, Chandler won the Florida Book Award for her slave narrative stories. A retired teacher and library media specialist, Chandler is now retired and works diligently with the Sapelo Island Cultural and Revitalization Society.
Contact the Okefenokee Heritage Center at (912) 285-4260 or by email at okeheritage @ gmail.com to find out more about our upcoming events.
– Submitted