Save The Children highlights ground-breakers

Local programs continue throughout February in celebration of Black History Month, with one of the latest held last Sunday at Pope Chapel AME Church in Marianna.

Directed by founder Carol “Cookie” Marks, the Save The Children event featured music and a skit by young people focused on the elders who broke down racial barriers locally in their own youth.

The play blended a few fictional characters into the story, but mainly allowed the young people to present real-life information about their families and friends.

In the play, the fictional character of a reporter , played by Leah Johnson, drives the action forward with her questions. One of the main fictional characters, “Granny,” played by A’Dajya Swilley, learns about how things have progressed in her community since she moved away.

Bryson Bryant, keeping to his real-life identity, talked about the special place that his grandparents hold in local black history.

His grandfather is Elmore Bryant, and his grandmother is Eulice Jean Bryant. Elmore Bryant was the first black mayor of Marianna. Eulice Bryant was the first black Jackson County Teacher of the Year, taking that honor in 2000.

Others in the play told their family stories, too.

Jayden Royo’ale Sorey is the daughter of Jacob and Denise Mckay-Sorey and the granddaughter of Rosie Bryant-McKay. In 1987, Denise McKay-Sorey became the first black Miss Marianna. Rosie Bryant-McKay was the first black teacher to have a choir on television, her group called The Glee Club. She also produced an album and the group won a state competition.

NyAsia Nix is the granddaughter of Tommie and Lillie Speights. Tommie Speights was the first black TV news reporter in this area and the first black public relations director for the Florida Department of Transportation.

Diamond Vann is the granddaughter of Harry and Mamie Vann. Harry Vann was the first black Commissioner/Mayor in Greenwood, and Mamie Vann was the first black female commissioner there.

Florence Swilley is the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Crushall Swilley. Crushall was the first black mail carrier in Jackson County and was one of the first to integrate Marianna High School in 1965.

Christian Staley talked about his best friend in the adult world, Sarah Speights-Pender. She was the first black registered nurse and ARNP at the Jackson County Health Department.

Other people with special distinctions were also recognized during the overall program.

For instance, Ruby Sylvester was the second black Jackson County Teacher of the Year.

Ethel Batson was the first black female personnel director at Sunland.

Aaron Granberry was the first black male to graduate from Marianna High School, in 1966.

The program also paid tribute to Johnny Speights, who is celebrating 48 years as host of the Spiritual Echoes radio program, which airs on Sunday mornings from 8-10 a.m. on WTYS, 94.1 FM.

Ladray Gilbert is the first black attorney to operate his own law firm in Jackson County, his office established a few years ago and still fully active.

During the program, Gilbert presented a monetary donation to Pope Chapel and to the Chipola College Black Student Union.

Four elder members of Pope Chapel were recognized as well for their long-time dedication to the church and community. They are 100-year-old Catharine McElroy, 93-year-old Arlene Myrick, 90-year-old Roberta Williams, and 92-year-old Cora H. Marks, who was the first woman to sign the local NAACP Charter in the 1960s.

After the program, guests moved to the dining room for refreshments and to view paintings and books by local painters and authors, which included Margena Myrick, Queen Brown, Lillie Clark, Richmond Marks Jr., and Adam Wood.

Other highlights of the program included a scripture reading by former Little Miss Marianna Imani Williams. Savannah Clemmons served as Mistress of Ceremonies and worship leader.

The Pope Chapel Youth Choir, the Boys to Men Choir and Higher Calling teamed up as a single choir to anchor the day’s musical presentations. Daniel Marks and Jayden Sorey led a processional to start the day’s event, entering to the music of “I Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around, considered one of the premier civil rights anthem of the 1960s.

Shirl Williams, the Jackson County school system’s Director of Student Services, spoke to the crowd about the importance of being a good reader.

Save The Children participants will be involved with the Chipola College Black Student Union’s Black History Program on Friday, Feb. 24, at 6:30 p.m. A recap interview describing Sunday’s program will air on Chipola College Television’s Royce Reagan Show next week. Initial air dates are Tuesday night at 8 p.m. and Wednesday at 11 a.m. To view more of the programming schedule, visit Chipola.edu/TV and click on schedule.