Diversity Day deals with differences
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on July 16, 2008 1:44 PM
Glenwood Burden could tell you much about diversity.
In 1961, he became the first black student to attend Goldsboro High School when integration came to Wayne County.
Then, he was the token "diverse" student in the crowd.
These days he is the organizer of an event designed to broaden the concept in the city.
As founder and chief executive officer of Gospel Perspective Ministries, Burden said he has witnessed many significant changes in the community over the years. So to showcase the concept of diversity seemed only appropriate.
The fifth annual Community Diversity Day, planned for Sept. 27, will feature an array of events and opportunities for the public.
Burden's ministry will sponsor the event, to be held in Mina Weil Park from noon to 6 p.m. that Saturday. It is designed to be a fun as well as educational event.
"The goal is to instill in us the value of diversity -- not only race, but industry and schools, and let people know where services are," Burden said.
The day will kick off with a parade downtown at 10 a.m., with everything else taking place at Mina Weil Park.
Included during the afternoon will be a car and motorcycle show, talent showcase, barbeque cookoff, three-on-three-basketball shoot-off, a senior mile walk/run and international soccer games.
Babe Ruth baseball will also sponsor a Little League tournament that day, Burden said, and Branch Bank will host a tennis clinic, with each child receiving a free tennis racket.
An adequate number of food vendors have been secured, Burden said, but volunteers are needed -- particularly vendors selling their wares, judges for the cookoff and participants in the parade.
Burden said he hopes the faith community especially will take advantage of the opportunity to be part of the diversity event.
"I'm desiring that every church, every ministry will have a participant in this," he said. "My appeal is to have a van, car or truck in the processional and then go to the park and evangelize. People don't go to church but they will go to the park -- make disciples of them."
While admission is free, registration fees vary by event. For more information, call 736-8270.