Black History Month Events Held Here

Schulenburg celebrated Black History Month with several activities on Saturday, Feb. 18.

The day began with a parade through downtown that ended at Wolters Park. Rev. Andrew Stafford of St. James Missionary Baptist Church opened the service at Wolters Park with a prayer, followed by a beautiful rendition of the song “A Change is Gone Come” sung by Debra Steward.

Susie Speed read the names elders in the local African- American community, both living and deceased. Speed also honored the many African-American healthcare workers from Schulenburg, especially those who worked in local nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keisha Moore spotlighted local community organizations such as BRIDGE (Building Resilience Inclusion Diversity and Growth through Education), which aims at bridging the racial gap in education, business, government, and community. Cathay Runnels, who served as MC during the program, spoke about a trip she took to Buffalo, New York, to visit churches and other hiding spots on the Underground Railroad. She spoke about the powerful experience of seeing Niagara Falls, the spot where runaway slaves would cross over to freedom in Canada.

Two local youth, Blayke and Blayre Miller, read the poem “Hey Black Child.” Local dance student JaShiya Jackson performed an interpretive dance, Runnels then invited four young men to the stage: Ryan Scott, Jordan Scott, Cody Daniels and Jeremy Houston. The four men spoke about their education and career plans.

Ryan Scott recently graduated with a marketing degree from Sam Houston State University and works for a sports memorabilia company in La Grange. Jordan Scott studies interior design at the University of Houston. Cody Daniels is a graduate of Texas A&M University and works in marketing at the corporate offices of Academy Sports and Outdoors. Local entrepreneur Jeremy Houston spoke about launching his business, Midnight Apparel, in between working two jobs.

Della Adams then gave a moving speech entitled “Resilient People.” The keynote speaker was Dr. Virginia Glass-Berry, a retired educator who grew up in Schulenburg. Berry spoke about the hardships she experienced growing up in her single mother’s household. She implored the youth to never pass up any education opportunity. She also spoke about the importance of voting.

“We want our voices to be heard, but we can’t be heard if we don’t vote,” Berry said.

The program ended with the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Afterwards, organizers treated everyone who came with a delicious meal of barbecue chicken and ribs.