WALLACE – The Kollock Alumni Association held its Black History Month program on Feb. 11 at its community center in Wallace.
Kollock Alumni member Yvette McColl recognized men and women who have made a difference in the community.
McColl said usually during Black History Month, people recognized those who have gone before us and paved the way.
“Today, I wanted to honor those who are making history right now and making a difference in our community right now.”
The honorees were State Rep. Pat Henegan, Bennettsville Mayor Carolyn Prince, Probate Judge Reneka McCoy, Marlboro County Council member Dr. Damien Johnson, Marlboro County Board of Education Chairman Michael Coachman, and Bennettsville City Council member Tyron Abraham.
Henegan, who represents District 54, thanked them for recognizing the work of others.
“There are many things we are doing in this county,” she said.
She talked briefly about the roads and bridges in the county and how the process of getting them repaired was not an easy one.
She also encouraged people to vote.
“If you want us to stay in the positions, you need to vote.”
Prince, the first Black female Mayor of Bennettsville, talked about history and children.
“If we don’t tell our stories, other people will,” she said. “Our history did not start in 1619 on these shores. Go to Egypt, where it all began.”
She encouraged people to tell their children about the history of their families.
“Everyone has someone in their family that did something great,” she said.
McCoy, the first Black female Probate Judge in the county, said the KAA was the first group she spoke to about her run for office.
“This was not an easy journey,” she said. “This was not by choice. I truly believe God ordained it. I filed in the last 45 minutes on the last day.”
She emphasized that probate is not easy and wants to make sure the public is more educated about the process.
Johnson, who represents District 2 on the Marlboro County Council, said a person does not get in the business of serving to be recognized.
He said he was the grandson of a sharecropper, who was a master at understanding how to plant and harvest. His father was a Vietnam Veteran. His mother was one of the first black students to integrate into the schools of Clio.
“I am standing on their shoulders,” he said.
Coachman, also the Kollock Alumni Association president, said he was honored to be recognized. He said he was a son of a custodian, who couldn’t attend his graduation because she was working.
This made him want to look out for custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, teachers, and teacher assistants and ensure they are not mistreated.
He talked about the association and said they are on the edge of the county but do much to help the whole county.
Abraham, who was unable to attend the event, represents District 5. Organizers said Abraham works hard to help his district and others in Bennettsville and the county.
During the event, NAACP officer Michael Toms presided over the event.
In the beginning, he talked about a table with items such as a straightening comb, iron, peanut butter, potato chips, and other items.
“These were all invented by African-Americans,” Toms said. “African-Americans have contributed greatly to the success of this country.
The scripture was read by Dorothy Cobb, founder of the Kollock Alumni Association.
The invocation was given by Johnson. The opening song was “Lift Every Voice.”
Pastor Steven J. Douglas Sr. of New Beaver Dam Baptist Church presented Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech.
The youth of New Beaver Dam honored various people such as Dizzy Gillespie, Viola Davis, Robert Smalls, and Chadwick Boseman.
The New Beaver Dam Male Chorus sang a selection.
Peter Williams shared personal recollections about Bennettsville Police Chief Pete Copeland. Glenn Manning Jr. read a poem.
Toms gave a membership appeal for the NAACP.
The closing song was “We Shall Overcome.” The Prayer and Benediction were given by Douglas.