Feb. 19 was a day to spotlight those in the community who don’t ask for recognition.

“Each one of them plays a major role within our community and we appreciate everything you are doing,” said Franklin Washington, executive director of Zions Care and pastor of New St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church, at the brunch for the King Me Men’s Conference.

Recipients of the Community Grassroots award were:

-Timothy Cook, a barber;

-Deacon Herbert Pearson, a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and owner of Pearson Trucking Company.

-Dr. Jamane Watson, principal at Marlboro County High School;

-Willie Albert Buck Williams, Vietnam veteran, active in the community, and member of St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church.

-Daniel York, owner of York Tree Service and a member of Faith Temple Holiness Church.

The conference held during the weekend culminated with a brunch which benefited the nonprofit Zions Care and AMIkids.

Rev. Dr. Harry White received the Faith in Action award.

Washington had words of appreciation to the administrative team at Marlboro County High School.

“We want you to know that we are behind you, we’re in front of you and we’re beside you all, he said. We are going to do more than cover you in prayer. We got you. We are going to have some prayer but we are going to do some talking.”

A meeting of church and community leaders was held on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

A donation was given to AMIkids. Darian Rembert, an assistant administrator at AMIkids, accepted the donation.

He said AMIkids has been in the community for a long time doing a work that is needed.

“It takes a village,” Rembert said. “It is one thing I have operated on when it came to working with children and family.”

At the beginning of the event, City of Bennettsville Mayor Dr. Carolyn Prince and Rev. Jeremy Bethea brought greetings and words of inspiration.

Prince encouraged people to attend the city and county meetings. “Your presence makes a difference,” she said. “We have lost our way because we are not using our voices and our votes for the best interest of our children.” She noted the students walking out of Marlboro County High School to show something is wrong. “It just didn’t start last week, Prince said. “We have lost three years with our children.”

She talked about how in the district the essential workers got two percent while one person got eight percent plus a bonus. “And a couple of months later, a golden parachute,” she said. “Then the test scores come out and who is accountable?” Prince noted that people had given their authority to people who don’t have them or their children in their best interest.

“We need to start speaking truth to power and holding people accountable,” she said. “Your voice counts. Your votes count even more.” Prince urged people to stand for something and live their faith. “There are a lot of fires in Marlboro County,” she said. “Pick whatever ones you want to put out. We will help you get the water to put it out.” Rev. Jeremy Bethea said a whole lot of unusual things that are happening. “Some of you are familiar with John Lewis who often talked about getting into some good trouble,” he said. “I think that in February 2022, this is a real good time to get into some good trouble.”

Bethea said he often tells his wife that he was born in Marlboro County and that he is going to die in Marlboro County. “I am concerned about what happens in Marlboro County,” he said. “When you have that particular level of concern, it causes you to speak. It causes you to move into action. I am encouraging each of you to speak and to move into action.”

He urged people to not be quiet. “We need to make our voices heard,” Bethea said. “We are calling our district office. We are emailing school board members to let them know that what we see happening just isn’t right.” He added, they have to make sure that we are the ones who determine the future of our children. “We don’t let others come in and dictate the future of our children,” Bethea said. “They are our children. If we don’t do it, nobody will. So make your voices heard. Do what you can. But do more than pray. We need to pray but do more than pray. Let’s do something about it.”

Speaker

Sen. Gerald Malloy was the speaker at the event. He was introduced by former Sheriff William Simon.

He talked about how at the age of 16, his father told him about the three “E”s.

“Employed, Enrolled, and Enlisted—Those are your three choices,” he said.

Malloy said these lessons needed to be given to young men and women.

“Experience is a great teacher,” he said. “Education is key. Education is important. Life experience is education.”

One thing emphasized throughout his talk was “the world changes when people stand up with their voices.”

“We have to empower our legacy,” Malloy said. “We must give voice to our disagreements. We have to empower our legacy on those people’s back who stood before us. Agitation is the only intelligent course of action.”

He concluded that the word is hope. “We have to be apostles of hope and faith.”

CareSouth provided health screenings and the Pee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault had a display set up.