02/22/09 — NAACP anniversary to be observed Thursday and Friday

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NAACP anniversary to be observed Thursday and Friday

By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on February 22, 2009 2:00 AM

The Stop the Funeral Initiative and its covenant partners will be hosting two nights of celebration of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History's announced 2009 Black History Theme, "The Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas-1909-2009: Celebrating the NAACP Centennial."

This year's celebration will begin with a workshop held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26 at Rebuilding Broken Places CDC at 2105 N. William St., featuring the Rev. Dr. Madeline McClenney-Sadler of the Exodus Foundation of Charlotte, who will speak on assisting incarcerated African Americans in the movement from incarceration to citizenship.

On Thursday at 6 p.m., the groups will feature an oratorical contest open to middle and high school youth in Wayne County at Eastern Chapel Missionary Baptist Church at 835 N. John St. Contestants must prepare and submit their own 250-500 word speech or poem and deliver that submission insider two minutes. Prizes will be awarded. Applications and contest guidelines may be obtained at the Stop the Funeral Initiative Office at 2105 N. William St. or at Eastern Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.

The programs willl conclude with a black history celebration, also at Eastern Chapel, on Friday at 7 p.m. The service will feature a youth choir, an African dance presentation and a drumline performance and Dr. Sadler will again speak.

For more information, call the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II at (919) 394-8137, the Rev. Timothy Dortch at (919) 736-7177, the Rev. Valerie J. Melvin at (252) 291-4047 or Francine Smith at (919) 581-9178.

There is no charge and the public is invited.