WS Chronicle

On the first day of 2025, a tradition that has been going on in our community for over 100 years continued at Mt. Zion Church where dozens gathered to commemorate the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Association has been around since 1915 and recognizes the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation which eventually led to the abolishment of slavery. Every year on Jan. 1, a special program is held at a local church where there’s a speaker, the proclamation is read, and local high school students are awarded scholarships.

This year the keynote speaker was Dr. Serenus T. Churn, Sr., senior pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church. Attorney T. Camille French read the Emancipation Proclamation and five high school seniors received $1,000. The scholarship recipients were selected based on academic performance, character, community service, the strength of their essays and personal interview. 

The 2025 scholarship recipients are Jada Brown, a senior at Carver High School who wants to attend UNC Charlotte to major in psychology. Aliyah Collin, a senior at Mount Tabor High school who wants to attend Howard University and study  pre-law. Joshua Fluitt, senior at Atkins High Schools who wants to attend UNC Charlotte to major in computer science and graphic arts..  Courtneigh Peebles, a senior at Carver High School who wants to attend UNC Charlotte to study pre-law. Jayda Woodyard, a senior at Parkland High Schools who plans to attend UNC Chapel Hill to study pre-law. 

For more information on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Emancipation Association or to make a donation to the scholarship fund,  visit  https://www.wsfcea.org/.