WS Chronicle

By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D.

Thirty years ago, Ben Piggott, center supervisor of the William C. Sims Recreation Center, and William “Rock” Bitting, a former resident of Happy Hill Gardens, co-founded the first Happy Hill Garden Reunion to celebrate the oldest African American community in the state of North Carolina. On Friday and Saturday, July 19 and 20, the community came together for live entertainment, food, fellowship, a memorial ceremony, memory sharing, and a lecture from the Happy Hill artist Kayyum Allah, who painted three murals on the walls of the Ben Piggott basketball court.

During his lecture, Allah explained that the first mural reflects on Liberia, West Africa, where freed slaves from Salem went after they were released from the Schumann plantation. The African dancers, the gospel choir, and the African masks resonate with this history. The second panel included Tiger Woods, the acclaimed golfer, and Venus and Serena Williams, who came to the Sims Center. Allah also honored the championships of Anderson, Carver, Parkland and Winston-Salem State University. The third panel uses a female subject who is using the computer.

“I wanted to focus on the computer age. I used a mother teaching her child the facts of life in order to bring out the rich culture and the focus on education. I also included the first African school built in 1867,” said Allah. “In the future I would like to expand this mural to celebrate historians like Ben Piggott, Tammie Hatchett, and many others who have contributed to this community.”

Ben Piggott was the emcee for the events.  “Love brought these soldiers together in spite of the weather. We were setting up tents and tables by 8 a.m. on Saturday, but we could not get power on the stage until 12:30 p.m.,” said Piggott. “People gathered at the foot of the stage and sang freedom songs, chatted with one another, and rocked to the rhythm of the drum until we were ready to get started. That’s love.

“There were so many families represented who grew up in Happy Hill. They wanted to see this reunion manifest. They invested their time, money, and prayers to see this reunion through,” said Piggott.

Piggott recognized Annette Scippio, council member of the East Ward, for her service in the community. She encouraged eligible voters to vote their conscience in the upcoming elections.

“Every person under the sound of my voice over the age of 18 needs to get out and vote. We even need precinct workers in the Happy Hill Garden area, “ said Scippio. “In fact, I can sign you up today. See me today.”

Tonya Sheffield, president of the Happy Hill Garden Community Association, encouraged those in the crowd who desired to move back into the community to seek information inside of the Sims Center. “Presently there are five houses that were built by Habitat for Humanity that are already available for purchase, but you must qualify to be considered,” said Sheffield. “The maps of the land are located on the Sims Center walls in the gym.”

The Happy Hill Connection Group made sure that all events were carried out in a professional way. This group included Tammie Hatchett, Natalie Hatchett, Bridget Exume, the Hatchett family, Michael Gentry, Sharon Coleman, Jack Jordan, James Rowdy, Michelle Jackson, Sherman Hanes, Robert Baskin, Virginia Martin, and LaTonya Brown Dobson.

Live entertainment kept the crowd around the stage in front of the William C. Sims Community Center. Hosted by Shocky Shay, the talent parade was deejayed by DJ KC, DJ PIG,  and DJ J Nasty. Performing groups included 10 Hanus, Code Red, Aspect, Premo Da Donn, Go Getter O, Jango Triller, Lee Major, Eliyah Da Ghetto Cowboy, Debbie Lewis Booking Agency, Emma Njoki singing “Make,” and Levin Mwaura from Holly Springs singing “Façade” and “Butt Envy.”

Shocky Shay was dressed to the nines in a black flowing pantsuit with a white flowing gossamer  jacket. She introduced her family members who were out in the audience and thanked them for their support. “I was planning to be a nurse when I changed my mind and decided to become a rapper. I thought my mother would disagree, but she said she wanted me to live my life, not her life,” said Shocky Shay. “So I headed to New York City where I was born. I signed a deal worth a quarter of a million dollars. I made history in the Billboard Magazine with my hit “Pass the Salt and Pepper, Please.”

Several former residents of Happy Hill received community service awards for outstanding contributions inside and outside of the community. They included Jerry Hanes, Jr., Tammie Hatchett, Leverne “Boonie” Baskins, Lester Nowlin, Rev. Todd Fulton, artist Kayyum Allah, Rick Higginbotham, Willie “Bit” Woodruff, Brian Manns, Jovon Scipio, and Latoshia Gladney. Piggott gave special recognition to Jaime Wilkes Trophy Company for assisting with the awards and to the Carolina Cruisers Motorcycle Club for supporting this event.

Emcee Piggott, Joseph Anderson and I from Alpha and Omega Church of Faith, led the children from Play Play Productions in the welcome march around the gym singing the welcome song from West Africa called “Funga.” Dressed in gold skirt sets, the dancers, under the direction of Brenda G. Smith, performed rhythm and blues selections and cheers to honor Winston-Salem State University. Cathy Parks provided a memorial video to honor the deceased residents of Happy Hill. Connie Smith read the poem “Dear Queen Mother” by Cynthia A. Cloud. Each person in the audience received a copy of this poem.

Pastor Paul W. Hart from Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church prayed that the spirits of unity and protection will reign over Happy Hill Gardens.