By Betsy Finklea
The first annual choral tribute was held on Monday, January 20th at The Ellis Performing Arts Center in Latta to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The event was sponsored by the Latta Schools Educational Foundation, the Latta School District, and St. John Missionary Baptist Church of Latta.
Over 300 citizens were in attendance and were “overwhelmed by the outstanding talent exhibited by each of the groups and individuals.”
Dr. John Kirby, Superintendent of the Latta Schools, welcomed the audience to the special tribute.
This was followed by a prayer by Rev. Dr. William J. Walker of St. John Missionary Baptist Church.
Then the music of the evening began with a performance of “Look To You” by Evelyn Williams, who also emceed the program.
The V. Jackson/M. Belton Mass Choir from St. John Missionary Baptist Church gave rousing performances of “All Night,” “You Brought Me Through This,” and “God’s Got It.” (Watch their performance of “God’s Got It” on our website, www.thedillonherald. com.) The choir includes Marion Baker, Sylvia Baker (keyboard), Betty Beckett, Glindelyn Bethea, Nashua Brown, Cynthia Campbell, Ella Crawford, Frances Crawford, Julia Mae Davis, Vickie DeBerry, Barbara Eaddy, Loretta Ellerbe, Gloria Frierson, Darlene Gause, Linda Horne, Jo Ann Hunter, Lugenia McCrae, Tom McCrae, Barbara McKay, Linda Reaves, Tina Turner, Azzie Lee Rogers, Anette Rogers, Julie Wall, and Gwen Wilson.
After their performance, 12-year-old Nashua Brown of St. John Missionary Baptist Church expertly delivered Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s well-known, “I Have A Dream,” speech. (Watch his performance on our website, www.thedillonherald. com.)
A group called Blessings of God performed “Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning,” “Love You Forever,” and “As Long As You Are There.” Blessings of God includes Jasmine Hodges (St. John), Monique Collins (Bethlehem AME), April Spears (New Hope) and Mia Woolridge (New Hope). Band members are Mike Myers, Kevin McClellan, and Fernandez Brown.
This was followed by a video tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The TB Thomas Male Chorus of St. Phillips United Methodist Church performed three selections—”Take Me Back,” “It’s In My Heart,” and “One Day At A Time.” Mrs. Mae West Cabbagestalk of Weston Chapel AME Church then performed piano selections. The choir includes Rev. Walter Tart, Trudy Drawhorn, Jerome Drawhorn, Thurman Legette, Leroy Tart, Ernest Tart, Leon Tart, Lambert Brown, James Charles, Joe Bethea, Elijah Brown, Leval Williams, Daniel Weeks, Tony Brown, Joe Abram, III, Leon Tart, Jr., and Marty Dentley.
Evelyn Williams then sang “Hold On, A Change Is Coming,” followed by the Weston Chapel Men’s Choir who performed “I’m Still Here,” “I Love To Call On The Name of Jesus,” and “Doors of Progress.” The men’s choir includes Alvin Edwards, Larry Legette, Ashley Miles, Mitchell Davis, Rashad Cade, William Legette, Micheal Sellers, Leannau Braddy, Keith Campbell, Richard Bethea, Chris Felton, Robert Fore, Marion James, Johnathan Berry, and Sierra German (pianist).
Larry Legette, Director of Operations for the Latta Schools, then offered closing remarks followed by prayers by James E. Williams, Jr.
Ushers included Emma Goings (St. John), Lizzy Crawford (St. John), Robert E. Barr (St. Phillips), Hazel J. Williams (St. Phillips), Doris Moultrie (Weston Chapel), Patricia Cantey (Weston Chapel), Wayne Spears (New Hope), and Michael Whittington (New Hope). Receptionists were Priscilla Vanderhall (Weston Chapel), Towanda Wright (Weston Chapel), and Lillie Page (Weston Chapel). Stage managers are Sylvia Wilson (St. John), Emporia Mungo (Mt. Pleasant Baptist), and Marque Scott (Weston Chapel).
Rev. Dr. William J. Walker of St. John Missionary Baptist church said this community gathering to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was also an opportunity to engage the black community in the wholeness of Latta and give them a chance to enjoy and appreciate The Ellis Performing Arts Center and see what it has to offer. He said he hoped this high quality and inspirational event would be annual.
Superintendent John Kirby stated, “We were extremely proud of this event and how well it was received by the community. The level of the performances were outstanding and the tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was very poignant and appropriate. We certainly will be planning to make this an annual event to enable our community and great local talent to express their honor and tribute to one of America’s greatest leaders that gave his life crusading for equality, fairness and justice for all.”
