“Unity in the Community Black History Fellowship Breakfast Celebration”
By Rev. Ozetta Kirby, Holy Trinity Community African Methodist Episcopal Church
March, 2021
The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church was started in 1787, in Philadelphia, Pa. by Richard Allen, because of racial discrimination. This took place at St. George Methodist Church. Black members were told to get up off of their knees from praying. They were told to worship in the balcony only, causing them to walk out and eventually to start their own church. The AME Church has always believed in the brotherhood of mankind, and every racial group, culture, and denomination is welcome. There are numerous AME churches in Az: Tanner Chapel, Greater Bethel, Mt. Moriah, Prince Chapel, Grant Chapel, Owen Chapel, Holy Trinity, The Word of God, Harbert Chapel, Hope Community, Grant Chapel, St. Paul, Howard, Sierra Vista, Queen Creek, and The Oasis.
The first “Unity in the Community Black History Fellowship Breakfast Celebration” was held on February 21, 2015, at the Windemere Hotel and Conference Center, in Mesa, Az. The breakfast included grits, eggs, bacon, biscuits, assorted rolls, juice and coffee.
It was a fantastic opportunity for members of various cultures in the East Valley to sit down at the table of brotherhood, and really get to know one another, and learn of their role in the community. In February 2020, AJW Catering, Mesa, provided an excellent breakfast, as well. this year everyone lamented that the breakfast was really missed, as it was on ZOOM.
We wanted to emphasize unity, peace, justice, and equality in East Valley cities.
Each year we have endeavored to invite a cross section of members of our diverse cities, which have included Police Chiefs, Asst. Chiefs, Commanders, the Fire Chief, Mayors, Council members, EVNAACP members, Educators, Musicians, Singers, Praise Dancers, Choirs, Pastors, Ministers, and Families.
On the program we highlighted the contributions made by Civil Rights leaders, Black Inventors, Scientists, Poets, Singers, Lawyers, Religious Leaders, Writers, Politicians, Sports Heroes, Musicians, Actors, Artists, and Explorers. Those who participated on the program were local talent which included, violin and saxophone solos, Mime Dancers, Poetry, Dramatic Readings, and Tributes to famous Black Americans.
During our celebration in February 2, 2019, we presented excerpts from the life story of a Jewish American, Julius Rosenwald, who among many other philanthropic efforts helped fund more than 5,000 schools for Black Children in the South. He was a Jewish immigrant who had settled in Chicago, Ill. Eventually he became the head of Sears and Roebuck Co. He became friends with Booker T. Washington, another famous Black American who founded Tuskegee College, and worked tirelessly to see that poor, Black children received a decent education.
After the movie “Rosenwald” was shown at Harkins Theater, Rev. Ozetta Kirby shared her experience attending the Rosenwald School, in Providence, Ky. From 1954-1962. The teachers at Rosenwald worked hard to provide a quality education to the Black Students. Tempe’s Chief at that time, Sylvia Moir, made the presentation at the program, and she also attended the movie “Rosenwald.”
We have had some very informative, vibrant “Unity in the Community Black History Fellowship Celebrations”, and we hope to build upon the progress we have already made in the East Valley. We wish to expand and make it more inclusive than it already is.
We have had some dynamic speakers during the past seven years including:
Dr. Neal Lester, and Dr. Anna Battle from Arizona State University, Bishop George McCree New Vision Fellowship, Ahmad Daniels, M.Ed. Transformation Facilitator and Life Coach, Retired Tempe Police Chief Sylvia Moir, and Current Tempe Police Chief Jeffrey Glover.
We hope to build upon this fine tradition that we have established with the community, and expand it to 500 people for the 2022 program.
March, 2021
The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church was started in 1787, in Philadelphia, Pa. by Richard Allen, because of racial discrimination. This took place at St. George Methodist Church. Black members were told to get up off of their knees from praying. They were told to worship in the balcony only, causing them to walk out and eventually to start their own church. The AME Church has always believed in the brotherhood of mankind, and every racial group, culture, and denomination is welcome. There are numerous AME churches in Az: Tanner Chapel, Greater Bethel, Mt. Moriah, Prince Chapel, Grant Chapel, Owen Chapel, Holy Trinity, The Word of God, Harbert Chapel, Hope Community, Grant Chapel, St. Paul, Howard, Sierra Vista, Queen Creek, and The Oasis.
The first “Unity in the Community Black History Fellowship Breakfast Celebration” was held on February 21, 2015, at the Windemere Hotel and Conference Center, in Mesa, Az. The breakfast included grits, eggs, bacon, biscuits, assorted rolls, juice and coffee.
It was a fantastic opportunity for members of various cultures in the East Valley to sit down at the table of brotherhood, and really get to know one another, and learn of their role in the community. In February 2020, AJW Catering, Mesa, provided an excellent breakfast, as well. this year everyone lamented that the breakfast was really missed, as it was on ZOOM.
We wanted to emphasize unity, peace, justice, and equality in East Valley cities.
Each year we have endeavored to invite a cross section of members of our diverse cities, which have included Police Chiefs, Asst. Chiefs, Commanders, the Fire Chief, Mayors, Council members, EVNAACP members, Educators, Musicians, Singers, Praise Dancers, Choirs, Pastors, Ministers, and Families.
On the program we highlighted the contributions made by Civil Rights leaders, Black Inventors, Scientists, Poets, Singers, Lawyers, Religious Leaders, Writers, Politicians, Sports Heroes, Musicians, Actors, Artists, and Explorers. Those who participated on the program were local talent which included, violin and saxophone solos, Mime Dancers, Poetry, Dramatic Readings, and Tributes to famous Black Americans.
During our celebration in February 2, 2019, we presented excerpts from the life story of a Jewish American, Julius Rosenwald, who among many other philanthropic efforts helped fund more than 5,000 schools for Black Children in the South. He was a Jewish immigrant who had settled in Chicago, Ill. Eventually he became the head of Sears and Roebuck Co. He became friends with Booker T. Washington, another famous Black American who founded Tuskegee College, and worked tirelessly to see that poor, Black children received a decent education.
After the movie “Rosenwald” was shown at Harkins Theater, Rev. Ozetta Kirby shared her experience attending the Rosenwald School, in Providence, Ky. From 1954-1962. The teachers at Rosenwald worked hard to provide a quality education to the Black Students. Tempe’s Chief at that time, Sylvia Moir, made the presentation at the program, and she also attended the movie “Rosenwald.”
We have had some very informative, vibrant “Unity in the Community Black History Fellowship Celebrations”, and we hope to build upon the progress we have already made in the East Valley. We wish to expand and make it more inclusive than it already is.
We have had some dynamic speakers during the past seven years including:
Dr. Neal Lester, and Dr. Anna Battle from Arizona State University, Bishop George McCree New Vision Fellowship, Ahmad Daniels, M.Ed. Transformation Facilitator and Life Coach, Retired Tempe Police Chief Sylvia Moir, and Current Tempe Police Chief Jeffrey Glover.
We hope to build upon this fine tradition that we have established with the community, and expand it to 500 people for the 2022 program.
Rev. Ozetta Kirby Special to Arizona Republic
PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK Copyright © 2021 The Arizona Republic 4/28/2021
