Black History Month celebrations will take place Sunday with musical presentations, speakers and refreshments at True Vine Church of God in Christ.
“We’re going to combine some of the things from the Martin Luther King celebration that got postponed,” Rhonda Chalfant, president of the Sedalia-Pettis County NAACP, said Tuesday. “We’re going to have some of the same performers.”
She added that Mayor Stephen Galliher will read two proclamations during the event.
“One acknowledging Martin Luther King Day and one acknowledging Black History Month,” Chalfant said. “We’re going to have five different musical performances that somewhat is a history of African-American religious music.”
Chalfant said Helen Spurell will sing as well as Tony Poindexter. Ward Memorial Missionary Baptist Church men will also sing and the Burns Chapel Baptist Church Youth Praise/Dance Team will perform.
There will also be a trivia contest with cash prizes. Chalfant said for each correct answer an individual gives they will receive $5. Several people will also be involved with giving a special presentation during the event.
“We’re going to have a presentation on black history called ‘Inventors You’ve Never heard of, Inventions You Know About,’” she added.
She added that the event is to celebrate and raise awareness of black history.
“… Which is not taught as well as it should be,” Chalfant said. “There are a lot of people who just don’t know that much about the contributions that African-Americans have made to our lives today.
“I would encourage people, during the month of February, to visit the Black History Library on Lima Alley,” she added. “It’s open on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
The Rose M. Nolen Black History Library is located at 109 Lima Alley. For more information, call 851-0077.
The Black History Month Celebration will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday at True Vine Church of God in Christ, 600 N. Moniteau Ave. The event is free and everyone is invited to attend.
