I Am the Black Child
A Reflection on Black Heritage 2001
by Michael W. Catledge
 We have arived!...is the collective sigh of the group as we assembled in the Westridge Gym for the Black Heritage opening services. |
On February 23-25 members of Flipper Chapel's Youth Church journeyed down to Orlando for the 6th Annual Black Heritage Weekend. Traveling in caravan, the group (which numbered approximately 36 souls) arrived at the Adams Mark Hotel/Florida Mall Friday evening safely and in a state of high anxiety in anticipation of the following days events. On Saturday morning the group collectively headed to Orlando's Westridge Middle School, which was literally overrun with eager delegations representing hundreds of churches and their various conferences (West Florida, Florida, East Florida, Central Florida, South Florida, Tampa-Florida, The Bahamas, and Orlando-Florida) throughout the Eleventh Episcopal District of the AME Church.
 Who me nervous?...anxious to get on with the competition and just overjoyed to be in the number, Michael Hall awaits the start of the day. |
The Lord truly smiled down on Flipper throughout the day. With our children scheduled to recite their poems at different times and different locations, the chaperones definitely had their work cut out for them as they disbanded, disbursed and fought the crowds to make certain each child in their charge were present at their designated time-slots. Though it was next to impossible to witness every one of our children perform, the author did catch a few. Michael Hall (our smiling cherub!) and Ebony Campbell (who was a bit grumpy, but persevered!) both went through their paces and picked up awards for their efforts! Carl Hall did an excellent job with his poem, as did Shonda Williams who, praise the Lord, WAS the "Black Child!" It was agreed all around that ALL of Flipper's children made the church proud during each one of their performances.
 "To the honorable judges"...greets Tony Worlds Jr. as he begins to recite a poem by Langston Hughes. |
Though the competition proved fierce and filled with the Holy Spirit, the members of both of our Inspirational Dance Teams carried off their numbers without missing a beat and were truly a thrill to watch! Pastor Bell, who drove down for the day to cheer on his young flock, beamed with pride as he witnessed the girls perform on stage. Yes, our little troopers did us all proud.
The Thomas and Gilda Brown Family, accompanied by "Mama" Brown, were a treat to see, as were the Halls, the Campbells, the Fitzes, Worlds, and Jones-Dennis families. In this day and age when many children suffer on several fronts due to parental neglect and indifference, it was wondrous to witness dedicated parents being wholly supportive of their children's every efforts!
 Our little positive thinker! Michael Hall commands attention. |
And too, one must not overlook the dedication of other parents in the group as well. Gail O'Neill (though beleaguered by no less than three teen-aged girls), Arryal Middleton (who had both of her two children in attendance), and Ruby Edwards (accompanied by daughter Jill) never missed a step when it came to the other young ones in the group. Whether it be a hurried breakfast, noisy lunch, 'grab-what-ya-can-get' dinner, or huddled together in an air-conditionless church van, all never missed a beat!
 That's my baby!...Miss Laura (Adams) smiles broadly as Shonda Williams awaits the judges. |
China Evans, accompanied by her granddaughter Claudette (who served as a "runner" and judge in her capacity with the connectional YPD), proved indispensable as the reverent 'voice of wisdom and discipline' for the group as always. Equally indispensable was Laura Adams whose words of inspiration, calming influence, and 'book no mess' resolve kept the children hyped, in the Spirit and, blissfully, in line!
When all the children had recited their well-rehearsed poems and the girls had finished their dance routines, it was unanimously decided that some much needed midday rest was in order for all participants though other competitions at Black Heritage carried on for the remainder of the day. After lunch, most of the children were treated to a few hours at the mall and downtime back at the hotel. Meanwhile, Sis. Evans and yours truly headed back to the school and, along with the Campbells, witnessed the highly charged and spirit-filled Step Team and (though the author had to leave) Basketball competitions.
 Phidias certainly would have been proud! Carl Hall Jr., after weeks of hard practice, does us all proud too! |
Triumphantly, the Florida Conference Boys Team won the Basketball championship, defeating the East Florida team. Ironically, in Girls Basketball it was the other way around with East Florida coming out on top. The day ended with the author returning to the hotel to pick up the kids so that they could return for the much-anticipated Social, which wrapped up around 11:30. Exhausted, the group then settled in for the night back at the hotel.
 You Go Boy!...all smiles, Michael Hall returns to his seat with hsi proud father Carl, Sr. after recieving his award. |
Joyfully on Sunday morning, during the award ceremony held at the hotel, all involved were rewarded for their collective efforts by the revelation that seven of our delegation of twenty-one children placed in their various poetry competition age/room-groups. Given the tremendous number of fellow competitors from throughout Florida, this was some feat! Our award winners were: Vironica Brown (1st), Tony and Ashlee Worlds (both 2nd), Candis Pride (2nd), Giona Brown (3rd), Michael Hall (3rd), and Ebony Campbell (3rd). Michael Hall also picked up a first-place award for creative drawing as well. It was agreed, however, that ALL of our children were winners for they persevered, practiced hard, and did us all proud! So to Ashlee, Tony, Jerion, Ashli, Ashlei, A'vion, D'Andre, Jilliea, Carl, Michael, Dionna, Shonda, Jalisa, Breonna, Candis, Chris, Ebony, Vironica, Gilda, Gionna, and TJ we say--God's blessings to you all for a job well done!
Overall, Black Heritage was truly rewarding, invigorating, and a blessing to witness. Though attended by thousands of youths of varying ages, young adults, parents, chaperones, and other dignitaries, this author knows of none of the serious problems usually associated with gatherings of this size involving rambunctious children and anxious teens. This just goes to show that the AME church is seriously committed to not only the spiritual and educational development of their youth, but their deportment and inter-action with others as well.
 Hi Mom!...aren't they just precious! Members of the Flipper Youth Black Heritage Delegation assemble in front of the Adams Mark Hotel. |
It is important to note that, in a era when our youth can be tempted by so many ills (drugs, STDs, violence, etc) the AME church is on the front lines providing our future leaders of tomorrow with a safe-haven where they might not only grow and know the Lord's undying love, but realize their collective potentials as mature responsible adults in tomorrow's society as well. Likewise, by utilizing Black Heritage as a means of instilling in our youth pride in the rich history and culture of the African American community, the AME Church is guaranteeing that, as they mature, our children never forget or take for granted the collective efforts of those who came before. Individuals who made it possible for all of the descendents of the Great Diaspora to hold their heads up high and, like our very own Shonda Williams, proudly boast, "I Am the Black Child!"
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