WS Chronicle

Morningstar Missionary Baptist Church has a long history of observing Black History Month.  Last Saturday, Feb. 17 the church held their annual program by holding a “soul food festival.”

For the third year, Telissa Ward has been spearheading the committee that coordinates the Black History Month festival.  She says she wanted to incorporate the traditional ways of doing things while also sprinkling in new ideas to keep it fresh and new.

The festival included spoken word poetry, a hat fashion show and, of course, a traditional soul food meal.  The meal included fried chicken, potato salad, corn bread, a variety of beans and select desserts, just to name a few.

“We try to incorporate new things year after year because soul fest has been here for a 100 years,” said Ward.  “I am very pleased and could not be more excited about what took place today.”

“I am grateful to Sheila Bailey and Cassandra Lane who are committee members, and of course, Rev. Leach for giving us the opportunity to hold it here,” she continued. 

Morningstar Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Dennis Leach says events like this are very inspirational and keeps the congregation connected by sharing the history of African-Americans.

“I think it is important that we continue to tell our history because it communicates that you don’t have to start from a place of privilege to end up in a place of power,” Leach said. 

Throughout the room was a multitude of literature showcasing African-Americans from all walks of life.  There was also various paintings from various African-American artists.

“Every year we have an African-American read-in that is held prior to this,” said Ward.  “We give everyone from the community a chance to come in, read and check out books and then we showcase them here.”

“What is also new this year is the Hat-Ti-Tude, which is a display of hats from now going all the way back in history,” she continued. 

This event holds special meaning for Ward and Leach because it allows the young people of the congregation to enhance their knowledge of African-Americans of the past.  They feel it is important to make sure the youth know where they came from.

“A lot of our youth are missing out, but I think in this day and age we are starting to bring the education of the past to our young people,” Ward said.  “Here at Morningstar we continue to teach and educate our young people about our history.”

“It is so important because we are rich in history, and that’s what we want the young people to know,” she went on to say.  “We have struggled but we were kings and queens, so they need to know that.