Black History Month

Most people know that February is Black History Month. Many have heard of many famous and important contributors to the advancement of this great nation, such as Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall and many others. However, my favorite man contributed immensely to our nation and his race. He was a pioneer and advocate of agriculture, and by the end of this article, I trust you will see his contributions all around you. One of my favorite Americans is George Washington Carver.  From inauspicious and dramatic beginnings, Carver became one of the nation's greatest educators and agricultural researchers.  From an early age, he developed a keen interest in plants.

Hagerstown YMCA plans Black History Month program The Hagerstown YMCA Black Achievers will host a community Black History Month program Sunday, Feb. 19, at 3 p.m. at Bridge of Life Church, 14 S. Potomac St. in Hagerstown. For more information, call Deborah Phillips at 301-739-3990, ext. 4239. Chocolate Sunday Sunday will be Chocolate Sunday at Ebenezer AME Church, 40 W. Bethel St. in Hagerstown. The event will be a Women's Day fundraiser. Church members will sell “Everything Chocolate,” beginning at 1 p.m.    The menu includes chocolate cake, cookies, candy, muffins, brownies and chocolate pie.  There will also be chocolate-covered strawberries.

Friends of the Doleman Black Heritage Museum, Washington County Public Schools and The Maryland Theatre are collaborating for a third year to celebrate Black History Month. New this year, the museum will honor local educator Leon Brumback for his dedication to education in Washington County Public Schools. The event will be Sunday, Feb. 26, at 5 p.m. at The Maryland Theatre. Doors open at 4 p.m. with the award-winning Bowie State University Gospel Choir as guest performer and Sen. Joanne C. Benson as mistress of ceremonies.

As we celebrate Black History Month in February, a month dedicated to celebrating and remembering the history, accomplishments and triumphs of black American culture, here are a few facts: On this day, Feb. 3, 1989, six-time All-Star Bill White was named president of the National League in Major League Baseball. The former St. Louis Cardinals' first baseman became the first black man to head a major sports league. On Feb. 3, 1903, Jack Johnson became the first black heavyweight champion.

A Black History Month tribute will take place Sunday, Feb. 5, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Review and Herald Publishing Association, 55 W. Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown. The theme is "Education Reform: Shaping Our Future. " The scheduled speakers are Earl Stoner, Fanny Crawford, Johnathan Burrs, Niettie Anderson-Burrs, Dickson Tabi, Dora Rice, Kelly Wright, Jay Kelsh, Loretta Wright, Dewain Esmond, Kevin Watson, Thomas Segar, Yvonne Jenkins and Robert Petties. Music will be provided by Arron Worthy, students from Contemporary School of the Arts and Gallery Inc.'s music program, Kerensa Gray, Hagerstown YMCA Achievers, Lea Jolin, Sandra Ortiz, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Poling, and the Pride Family.

Dressed in blue robes, Morgan State University's choir stepped onto risers on the stage of the Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown as the crowd waited in anticipation. Under the direction of Eric Conway, students kicked off the two-hour Black History Month salute and Doleman Black Heritage Museum fundraiser with "Lift Every Voice and Sing. " With flawless pitch, 50 of the choir's 120 members combined their voices in a harmonious rendition of the familiar song as the crowd erupted in applause.

February is Black History Month. Take this time to read books about lesser-known individuals that made an impact on our history. "Bad Boy: A Memoir," by Walter Dean Myers (Ages 12 and older) Although born in Martinsburg, W.Va., Myers acturally grew up in Harlem in the 1940s. The title follows his life as he drops out of high school and joins the Army. Though never a great student, Myers never gives up on his writing and goes on to win the Coretta Scott King Award for African American authors five times and was the first winner of the Michael L. Printz Award.

Spaghetti dinner planned John Wesley United Methodist Church will hold a spaghetti dinner fundraiser Saturday, Feb. 19, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the social hall to the rear of the church. Live entertainment will be by Jonathan Giblin. The menu includes spaghetti, meat sauce, plain sauce, meatballs, tossed salad, Italian bread, butter, tea and coffee. Tickets cost $7 for adults, $3.50 for those ages 6 to 12 and free for those 5 and younger. The church is at 129, N. Potomac St. in Hagerstown.

Two months after local residents alleged racial disparities in Washington County Public Schools, Superintendent Elizabeth M. Morgan attended an NAACP meeting to be part of the discussion. "I'm really here to listen more than talk," Morgan said. Several school system officials and employees also were among about 25 people at Thursday's meeting at Memorial Recreation Center in Hagerstown. While talking about Maryland School Assessment test results, Morgan said Washington County has made strides in closing the achievement gaps between white and minority students in the last five years.

"I note the obvious differences between each sort and type, but we are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike. " -- Maya Angelou MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Destructive vandalism a few weeks ago at the Boys & Girls Club in Martinsburg didn't derail the organization's creative arts program Tuesday evening at Martinsburg High School to celebrate Black History Month. About 25 children took part in the "I Have a Dream Night" program held in partnership with the high school's Multicultural Club, which held a fundraiser for the organization.