Friday Night Under the Lights
The Dorothy S. Johnson Youth Retreat, led by Connectional Secretary of the Youth Missionary Society, Melva Polk Wright, felt like a homecoming as Zion returned to where it all began 40 years ago on the historic campus of Livingstone College, where the retreat originated in 1985. On Friday, July 11, nearly 300 youth, chaperones gathered at Varick Auditorium for an unforgettable night.
This “Welcome to the Yard” experience had our youth feeling like true freshmen stepping onto their HBCU campus for the first time. From a high-energy roll call of the Divine 9 to presidential greetings from Livingstone College’s very own Dr. Anthony Davis, it was the perfect mix of culture, connection, and community.
The crowd was energized by DJ J, Jared Gaston from Piedmont Episcopal District, while interactive moments like A.M.E. Zion trivia, snow cones courtesy of the President, and surprise cash giveaways kept the excitement high. Our youth also received heartfelt words from Mister and Miss Livingstone, WH&OMS International President Mrs. Sandra B. Crowder, Salisbury District Presiding Elder Rev. Grant Harrison, and of course, the visionary behind the retreat, our incredible Connectional Youth Secretary, Ms. Melva Polk Wright.
The atmosphere was authentic and refreshing. Youth were free to be themselves, build meaningful relationships, and deepen their knowledge of The A.M.E. Zion Church’s rich history, all while getting a taste of college life at Zion’s very own Livingstone College.
District Youth Secretaries Alexxis Hutchinson (Norfolk District, MAED) and Lindse` Owens (Laurinburg District, ENCED) set the tone as co-hosts of Friday Night Under the Lights.
As the night came to a close, one thing was certain: this wasn’t just a retreat kickoff. It was a reminder that Zion’s youth are vibrant, powerful, purposeful, and forever connected. This year’s retreat ignited leadership within our youth through faith and legacy, and love.
Harambe and Saturday Workshops
Saturday morning of the Y Retreat began with breakfast in the gym for all. The Youth and their chaperones rose early to refresh and be ready for all of the activities of the day. Harambe began on the historic lawn with all the Youth in a circle. Dr. Mallory Wright Gayle, MAED, skillfully led our opening exercise. Harambe is a Swahili word for “let’s pull together,” used by the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools. It’s a high-energy time when Youth and staff come together to celebrate themselves and each other. Our Youth were excited and actively engaged.
Workshops were designed for age groups, 13-15, 16-18, and 19-21. Due to the number of Youth registered, there were four groups of 13-15, 3 groups of 16-18, and one group of 19-21. Workshop topics for the Youth were: The 3 Word Prayer, Real Life Balance, I Think I Want to Go to College, Now What? Financial Literacy, I’ve Graduated, now what? Career Connections and Igniting the Leader in You. Concurrently, there were sessions for the Y Secretaries and other adults present: Becoming the Leader OUR Youth Deserve, and Y Secretaries Play and Plan. We thank all the presenters for their service. The presenters were as follows: Kimberly Ivey, PED; Anita Bullock, SAED; Cynthia Miller, SAED; Rev. ShaCarolyn Stephens, SAED; Rev. Benson Watt III, SAED; Rev. Veronica Oney, MAED; Rachel Means, MAED; Brooke Waller, PED; Karonda Hardrick, SAED; and Ashley Melton, SAED.
We were excited to be a blessing to the greater Salisbury Community during our time together at Livingstone. Charlene Smalls, the District Youth Secretary of the Salisbury District, led the collection and packaging of the items. We gave the list of items and asked each person attending to bring at least five trial-sized items. Our goal was to create 100 hygiene bags for young women and men. With the contribution of items, we were able to create 210 bags and a couple of boxes of additional items. Our items were donated to Rowan County: One Church, One Child. We thank all of Zion for helping us be a blessing to the Salisbury community.
Saturday Night: The Main Event
Saturday night was an inspiring and spirit-filled evening as the youth of the WH&OMS came together for an open mic night led by the dynamic worship leader, Tiana Arline. The night opened with a powerful session of praise and worship, setting a joyful and reverent tone for the rest of the evening. Attendees were uplifted as voices joined together in song, ushering in a sense of unity and excitement for what was to come.
Following worship, the stage came alive with seven unique performances showcasing the gifts and talents of our youth. The lineup included an energizing drum solo, two passionate oratorical pieces, a soulful piano performance, an expressive dance number, a heartfelt vocal selection, and a moving spoken word presentation. Each participant poured their heart into their moment on stage, leaving the audience encouraged, engaged, and inspired by their boldness and creativity. As an intermission between performances, the winners of the youth scavenger hunt were announced by Dedra Glenn, PED. Youth were tasked with locating various landmarks and identifying current students and alumni of Livingstone College. The winning group, who even competed in the rain, shared a heartfelt prayer for victory—and their faith and teamwork paid off. A job well done!
Participants were evaluated based on numerous key categories: stage presence, content/message, and creativity. The WH&OMS executive members served as judges for the evening, offering thoughtful feedback and encouragement to each performer. At close of the night, the winners of the open mic competition were announced by Director of Communications, Camryn Ivey. To celebrate their courage and participation, every youth received a Chick-fil-A gift card as a token of appreciation. The night was a beautiful testament to the power of faith, community, and the next generation of leaders using their voices for good.
Y Retreat Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday morning worship opened to a sea of yellow as all Y Retreat participants wore the retreat T-shirt. We were blessed to have a Youth from each of our nine stateside Episcopal Areas participate in our morning worship. The following Youth boldly stood to share with the congregants of over 350 persons: Seven-Hazel Boone, PED; Bailey McCoy, SWDED; Journey Griffin, ALFLED; February Ellison, NEED; Daeyon DeArmond, WED; Kiyanna Fleming, ENCED; Akera King, MWED; Paisley Melton, SAED; and Domenique Sexton, MAED. We were blessed again on Sunday morning with the anointed singing of the Y Retreat Choir led by Rev. Tyquan Alston, MAED, and Jon Rankins, SAED. The Y Retreat Dancers ministered again on Sunday as well. We thank Jenna Wright, MAED, and Tanazah Kinsey for allowing God to use them to guide our blessed dancers, both male and female. Our morning preacher, Rev. Arkia Stroud, SAED, brought a timely, relevant word. The Youth, youth workers, and parents were moved greatly by the spirit of God, which was visible as the altar call was extended. God met us there again on Sunday morning.
Our International President, Mrs. Sandra B. Crowder, reflected on the Y Retreat by asking 3 questions.
1. Why did we have the retreat?
Yes, it is Constitutional, but beyond that our Connectional Youth Secretary, Melva Polk Wright, expanded the vision of Dorothy S. Johnson to connect, engage, empower, and prepare Zion’s youth to be Ambassadors for Christ with excitement and relevance.
2. What was the impact of the retreat?
Zion’s Youth now understand that the WH&OM Society believes in them and needs them to help us fulfill our mission. The move of God throughout the retreat manifested the theme as “Ignite the Leader in us,” as we witnessed lives spiritually changed and commitments to salvation made.
3. Would we do it again? Most definitely YES! We all left the grounds of Livingstone with a challenge to be bold and walk in assurance with the attitude of “I’m like that!” shared by the preacher, Rev. Arkia Stroud.
YES, I would return to Livingstone to see how God’s miracle on Monroe will be revealed… we must support our own. Dr. Anthony Davis and staff showed us that they wanted us there.
A special thank you to my oldest daughter, Dr. Mallory Wright Gayle, MAED, for handling most of the logistical concerns so that I could focus. Kudos to the Y Retreat Staff, Jenna Wright, Retreat Photographer, MAED, Sis. Tiana Arline, NEED, Camryn Covington, PED, and Madison Demming, ALFLED, for being there and working in multiple capacities. A special thank you to the Amazing Executive Board of the WH&OM Society for your presence and assistance as needed. They all supported the Y Retreat. The Youth and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Dr. Anthony Davis, President of Livingstone College, has been amazing throughout this process. Thank you to the team led by Dr. Miller and Ms. Green.
And finally, to all of the District Secretaries of Youth of the A.M.E. Zion Church, you all hold up my arms all of the time. I thank you for motivating the Youth to come to the Y Retreat. I love each of you. “I sought the Lord, He heard, and He answered. That’s why I trust in God”. Zion is yet alive and well, and it was witnessed on the campus of Livingstone College, July 11-13, 2025.
