White County celebrates Black History Month

By By Patsy Pipkin CONTRIBUTING WRITER

LITTLE ROCK — The White County Black History Awareness Coalition Inc. is set to celebrate its fourth annual Black History Awareness Weekend with a parade, art, music and more.

"Achieving is Believing" is the theme of the event, which will be held Friday, Feb. 22, through Sunday, Feb. 24. It is being held in recognition of National Black History Month.

Marva Holiday, chairwoman, said the opening ceremony for the Awareness Weekend begins at 7 p.m. at the Lightle Center in Searcy with a keynote address by Appeals Court Judge Wendell Griffen of Little Rock.

At 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, a parade led by Grand Marshal William Cowan of Kensett will begin at Vine and Hussey streets, at the east side of Sexton Foods, and proceed to Spring Park. The parade will highlight and celebrate the achievements of black citizens through history.

Following the parade, a reception will be held at Yancey Hall in First Methodist Church, where refreshments and entertainment will be provided.

From 4-5:30 p.m., the Searcy Arts Gallery will hold a reception for artists Aj Smith and Marjorie Williams-Smith of Little Rock. They teach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The reception is free and open to the public.

The artists have been recognized in major collections and exhibits throughout the art world. Aj Smith's exhibit includes his STOP Series, four lithographs in. His Way Down South Series is of country buildings; his 1990 Dream Fragment Series features Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; and Ancestral Dream Series brings visions of Africa. Smith's latest work is the Quilt Maker Series.

Marjorie Williams-Smith's works include silverpoint drawings, a technique that dates to before the Renaissance when artists drew with a piece of metal wire on vellum, or parchment coated with gouache. Williams-Smith prepares her paper with gesso and draws with a sharp piece of metal wire shaped into a drawing tool. Her delicate flowers and fauna aredisplayed throughout the arts gallery. Their work will be on display at the gallery through February.

At 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, the White County Federated Choir, made up of 35-40 voices from seven churches in the county, will give a concert at First United Methodist Church. The choir, under the direction of Gloria Wright, first performed in 1960 and continues to entertain at many civic affairs.

Bobby Holiday has designed a logo for the White County Black History Awareness Coalition. A red star represents the past. It is symbolic of the blood and struggle of black ancestors. The green star represents the future. It highlights the hope for what is to come. The black star represents the present. This star highlights the strength, power and perseverance needed to accomplish the goal of leading future generations.

In addition to observing Black History Month each year, the coalition sponsors activities for young people throughout the community. Members appear regularly on The Morning Show with Grant Carey, a radio program that is also aired on Channel 6 in Searcy. On the program members discuss topics such as the history of Maya Angelou, the Underground Railroad and more.

The White County Coalition was organized in 2005 under the counsel of St. Mary Assistance and Prevention Program, an agency of St. Mary CME Church in Searcy.

Since its beginning, the WhiteCounty Black History Awareness Coalition has celebrated black history in White County with a structured weekend of events from Friday through Sunday. The first chairman of the committee was Joseph Washington, who remains active in the coalition.

◊ PARADE MARSHAL FACTS1926 - William Cowan was born in Kensett. Cowan attended school in Kensett through the ninth grade.

1944- At age 18, drafted into U.S. Navy, where he manned a torpedo shack and earned the rank of steward mate first class.

1945 - Returned to Kensett and began business administration courses through the Veterans Education Assistance Program. Soon afterward, began work at the hardwood flooring mill near Kensett.

1947 - Married Ola Mae and began to raise a family of five girls.

Served on Kensett City Council for 18 years.

1958 - Began temporary employment with the railroad.

1962 - Full-time employment with railroad. Studied and promoted to assistant foreman. After two years promoted to foreman and held this position for 28 years.

2008 -Grand marshal in parade, Saturday, Feb. 23, during the White County Black History Awareness Weekend.

At age 82, when not heading up a parade, Cowan can be seen walking his two miles each morning.

Other accomplishments - Started a Boy Scout Troop; commander of American Legion post for many years; member of Arnold Tabernacle CME Church in Kensett and chairman of Stewards.

Cowan has always impressed upon young people the need for education.

He is dismayed when he sees lack of initiative in young people and has said, "If you see something that needs to be done, do it. Don't just settle."

Three Rivers, Pages 113 on 02/03/2008