CRT is a useful tool in analyzing Baptist history on race

… , Furman University admitted four African American students. The open admissions … chide Southern Baptists into accepting Black Americans.” Baptist missions representatives continued … of American segregation and racism. Because racism was a “spiritual issue … RankTribe™ Black Business Directory News

Al-Saadi from ‘The Voice’ part of month-long Black History Month blues series

MONROE COUNTY — The 37th annual Black History Month Blues Concert Series begins Jan. 30 in Monroe County. This year’s lineup includes Laith Al-Saadi, who performed on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2016.

The award-winning series is sponsored by the Monroe County Library System and other organizations. The month-long series features weekly Tuesday night concerts at library branches. The series also includes the popular The Big Gig!, set for Feb. 24 at Monroe County Community College. All events are free and are appropriate for people of all ages.

Laith Al-Saadi, who appeared on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2016, will perform at Feb. 24's The Big Gig!.

The first event on Jan. 30 will feature the Rev. Robert Jones, who will offer the lecture and performance “The Evolution of African American Traditional Music” at Dorsch Memorial Branch Library. Jones has been part of the Monroe blues series since it began in 1988.

“The interactive program will explore 100 years of traditional music created by Black artists,” the library system said in a news release.

Weekly concerts continue through March 5. Most of this year’s performers are new to the series.

The Rev. Robert Jones will open this year's blues series with the lecture and performance “The Evolution of African American Traditional Music" Jan. 30 at Dorsch Memorial Branch Library.

“With the exception of the Rev. Jones and Chris Canas, none of the performers from last year are featured this year,” said Barbra Krueger, community outreach director for the library.

On the lineup this year are Toledo jazz and blues singer Ramona Collins; Detroit blues legend Zoom; guitar and harmonica duo Howard Glazer and Harmonica Shah; contemporary gospel group The Jones Trio; and acoustic blues singer and guitarist Danny Kroha.

The Bobby Murray Band with special guest singers Lenny Watkins and Tosha Owens will perform at Feb. 24's The Big Gig!.

Feb. 24th’s The Big Gig! at MCCC will feature Ann Arbor’s nationally acclaimed singer and guitarist Al-Saadi and the Bobby Murray Band with special guest singers Lenny Watkins and Tosha Owens. Murray served as the longtime guitarist for Etta James and leads his own band of veteran musicians. Following the tradition from the program’s start in 1988, Jones will open the show and serve as master of ceremonies, the library system said in the news release.

The blues concerts and The Big Gig! will be similar to previous years.

“I believe the structure of the concert series and The Big Gig! remain the same. This format has been very successful in the past, and we are hoping to replicate that again this year,” Krueger said.

Ramona Collins, Detroit blues legend, will perform Feb. 13 at the Bedford Branch Library.

The events in the series are well-attended each year.

“Approximately 100 people attended the concerts at the smaller library branches in 2023, and more than 200 people attended the concerts at Ellis and Bedford,” Krueger said. “Approximately 350 people attended The Big Gig! last year, according to Mary Lyons at MCCC.”

Krueger is looking forward to the series.

“Books and music have the power to unite people across diverse backgrounds. We are excited to share these concerts with the community and contribute to the celebration of Black History Month through the timeless sound of the blues,” she said. “Our mission is to enrich the quality of life for all residents of Monroe County, and this concert series is an example of our dedication to meaningful cultural initiatives. The series acknowledges the profound impact made by African American artists to our country’s cultural traditions.”

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Monroe’s Black History Month Blues Series received national recognition from The Blues Foundation and the Public and Michigan Library Associations.

The series is presented by the Monroe County Library System, MCCC and the 2024 Blues Coalition of community partners: DTE Foundation, Friends of South Rockwood, Friends of Carleton, Friends of Dorsch, Friends of Ellis, Friends of Ida and Friends of Bedford. The project also is funded in part by Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.

For more information about the series, visit mymcls.com/events/blues-series.

— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.

Coming up

Black History Month Blues Series schedule (all events begin at 7 p.m.):

  • Jan. 30: The Rev. Robert Jones presents: The Evolution of African American Traditional Music at Dorsch Memorial Branch
  • Feb. 6: The Jones Trio, Carleton Branch
  • Feb. 13: Ramona Collins, Bedford Branch
  • Feb. 20: Danny Kroha, Ida Branch
  • Feb. 24: The Big Gig!, Monroe County Community College
  • Feb. 27: Zoom and Her Band, Ellis Library & Reference Center
  • March 5: Howard Glazer and Harmonic Shah, South Rockwood Branch

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Celebrate Black History Month on Freedom Trail African-American Patriots Tours

Freedom Trail Foundation’s acclaimed African-American Patriots Tours celebrate the African-American patriots that played a vital role in the start of the American Revolution in Boston and in the formation of our country. Led by 18th-century costumed guides, tour-goers have the opportunity to view history through the eyes of these courageous men and women throughout Black History Month in February. 

African-American Patriots® Tours begin on Saturday, February 3, and are held regularly in February on Saturdays and Sundays departing at 10:45 a.m. from the Boston Common Visitor Information Center. Revolutionary figures such as Crispus Attucks, Phillis Wheatley, Prince Hall, Peter Salem, and others come to life during these 90-minute walking tours while zigzagging through the Freedom Trail – Boston’s iconic 2.5-mile brick trail leading to 16 nationally significant historic sites. African-American Patriots Tours invite visitors and residents alike to discover the immense contributions of black Bostonians during the American Revolution and beyond, as the stories unfold along Boston’s historic red-lined path. Hear about the sacrifices these patriots made, the battles they fought, and the legacies they left behind, as well as the stories of significant abolitionists and civil rights activists in Boston’s history.

African-American Patriots® Tours are ideal for groups, schools, residents and those visiting the city. Public tour tickets may be purchased at the Boston Common Visitor Information Center at $17 for adults, $15 for seniors and students, and $8 for children under 12 years old. Tickets may also be purchased online at TheFreedomTrail.org. The African-American Patriots® Tours are also available year-round for groups as private tours.

Other events and programs celebrating Black History Month are held at official Freedom Trail sites. For information regarding Freedom Trail events and programs, tickets, reservations, group rates or questions, please call (617) 357-8300 or visit TheFreedomTrail.org.

Health, education among top priorities for Legislative Black Caucus

Del. Jheanelle K. Wilkins (D-Montgomery), chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland, speaks at a press conference Jan. 18, 2024. Photo by Bryan P. Sears.

Expanding the authority of the state’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board is among priorities for the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland during the 90-day session, members said Thursday.

Jennifer White Holland (D-Baltimore County), who announced the caucus’ agenda during a press conference, said the proposed legislation will be called the Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for All Marylanders Act.

“Maryland patients are being forced to skip doses, ration their medications, or simply leave their prescriptions on the pharmacy counters due to cost,” said White Holland, who has a master’s degree in public health. “We know all too well that these rising costs are a burden to all Marylanders and specifically for the African American community, who face persistent racial health inequities.”

White Holland said she and Del. Bonnie Cullison (D-Montgomery) will be lead sponsors of bill in the House. In the Senate, the bill will be sponsored by Sens. Brian Feldman (D-Montgomery) and Dawn Gile (D-Anne Arundel).

Currently, the board is beginning work to assess the affordability of prescription drugs and require lower prices for drugs under local and state government health care plans. A leading advocacy group, the Maryland Health Care for All Coalition, has urged the legislature to lower drug prices for all Marylanders.

Feldman, chair of the Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee, and Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Anne Arundel and Prince George’s), chair of the Health and Government Operations Committee, led efforts for the General Assembly to create the affordability board in 2019.

However, the board got a slow start after former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) vetoed legislation to fund its initial work. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and economic uncertainty also hampered progress.

Also a part of the caucus priorities are at least two pre-filed bills that focus on education –  Senate Bill 161 and House Bill 200 – sponsored by Sen. Alonzo Washington (D-Prince George’s) and in the House by Del. Jheanelle Wilkins (D-Montgomery), chair of the Black Caucus.

The focus of the legislation is to expand the number of designated community schools in school systems with fewer than 40 schools — which is part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education reform plan.

Community schools receive concentration of poverty grants and partner with local organizations to help educators, parents and a child’s family. Some services that community school students can draw on include before- or after-school tutoring, English language learner courses and food pantries.

Each community school has a school coordinator and a health care practitioner.

A hearing for the Senate bill is scheduled for Wednesday before the Budget and Taxation Committee and for the House bill on Jan. 30 before the Appropriations Committee, according to the General Assembly website..

Another bill filed would create an ombudsman office within the Office of the Attorney General to field concerns about individuals held by and matters related to the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Del. Debra Davis (D-Charles) is filing the measure, House Bill 297, this year — the fifth time that lawmakers will consider it. It is cross-filed as Senate Bill 134,sponsored by Sen. Shelly Hettleman (D-Baltimore County).

“The ombudsman will offer a voice to those persons behind the wall and their families and be able to investigate conditions at the facilities,” Davis said. “Improving the [correctional] system can save Marylander’s hundreds of thousands of tax dollars paid in lawsuits and jury verdicts.”

Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) continues to support the bill, which passed last year in the Senate but died in the House Rules Committee.

A hearing is scheduled on the Senate version Feb. 7 before the Judicial Proceedings Committee.