Sara Clarke Kaplan, Executive Director of the Antiracist Research & Policy Center at American University in Washington D.C., stated these words, “There is no American history without African American history.” Kaplan further submits that the Black experience is rooted in “everything we think of as ‘American history.’” Kaplan has a valid point. The frame of…
It’s February – American Heart Month – a time when the nation spotlights heart disease, the No. 1 killer of Americans. President Lyndon B. Johnson, among the millions of people in the country who’d had heart attacks, issued the first proclamation in 1964. Since then, U.S. presidents have annually declared February American Heart Month. Throughout…
Dayton, Ohio – In a transformative week of study and worship, General Secretary Rev. Dr. Elvin Sadler, along with the distinguished faculty, staff, and a cohort’s of 250 Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) students gathered at United Theological Seminary for their Spring Intensive in Dayton, Ohio. The atmosphere was charged with intellectual rigor, spiritual exploration, and…
Youth around Zion are engaging in a Black History Month initiative to promote literacy, inspire a younger generation, and increase cultural awareness of black families and communities. Program coordinator Seven-Hazel Boone stated, “This is important because teens are role models to young children. We want to celebrate being Black and encourage children to read. Readers…
This article has been recently resubmitted for digital publication on The Star of Zion platform. The Varick International Christian Youth CouncilOffice of the Connectional PresidentState of the Youth Address Raleigh, NC- To the Connectional Officers of The Varick International Christian Youth Council, to the Conference and District Delegates and Alternate Delegates, to our guests and…
During the 20 years since the riots of the 1960s, it appears that little progress has been made in the African American community. Crime is at an all-time high. Unemployment is even higher and drugs are tearing apart the soul of most neighborhoods. All of these are having an adverse effect on or black youth….
VICYC’s Executive Committee Appointment Application The 2022-2026 Executive Committee of the VICYC of the Christian Education Department – A.M.E. Zion Church is now accepting candidate applications for four (4) Members-at-Large and Treasurer, to serve in connectional youth ministry. Ideal Candidates: Must be between the ages of 15-21. Must be properly received into membership in the…
“A man without any history is like a tree without roots.” – Malcolm X Submitted by Social Media/Getty Images THE HISTORY OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH The story of Black History Month began half a century after the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. Recognizing the dearth of information on the accomplishments of Blacks, in 1915,…
The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals is a non-profit organization that focuses on the training needs of African American meeting planners. Membership includes meeting planners across numerous businesses, such as civil rights organizations and religious and fraternal organizations. NCBMP holds an annual conference to assist with the educational advancement of its members, to enhance…
The term Gullah Geechee, refers to the descendants of Africans who were enslaved on the rice, indigo, and Sea Island cotton plantations of the lower Atlantic Coast. The Gullah Geechee culture calls to mind the Sea Islands of South Carolin and Georgia, and sweetgrass baskets. Yet the cultural legacy of the ancestors still runs warm…
The Oikos Institute of Social Impact’s (Oikos’) “Fishing Differently™ Conference 2023” was a powerful gathering ground for a diverse assembly of faith-inspired lay and clergy leaders who converged with a shared mission to delve into innovative strategies for generating enduring social impact. Spanning three days, from September 20th to 22nd, 2023, this conference stood as…
The holidays are now behind us, and if you are anything like me, you may find yourself with a little more debt than you anticipated from shopping during November and December. Vowing to do better this holiday season, I spent time reviewing my options and planning. Here are some things for you to contemplate. First,…
“We remember before Our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” ” – I Thessalonians 1:3 The life of Rhandi Mattie Stith began on April 26, 1955, when God blessed the late Betty V. Smith Stith and George Hogben…
Salisbury, NC – The Livingstone Concert Choir, a distinguished ensemble from Livingstone College, has received an exclusive invitation from the National Center of Popular Music and the Cuban Institute of Music to perform at the prestigious 39th International Festival Jazz Plaza in Havana and Santiago de Cuba. The festival is scheduled from January 24 to…
Livingstone College will celebrate its 145th Founder’s Day on February 8 in Varick Auditorium, Salisbury, NC, in honor of Dr. Joseph Charles Price. The keynote speaker for the event is The Right Reverend Dennis V. Proctor, presiding prelate of the North Eastern Episcopal District, A.M.E. Zion Church. Rev. Dr. Dennis Proctor, a graduate of Livingstone College,…
The life of Mr. Kenneth Earl Jones ended abruptly for him, and it came to a devastating end for us when he sat down in his favorite chair on Saturday, July 1st, 2023. At his side was the love of his life, his devoted wife of 46 years, Mrs. Jean Walton Jones, and their two…
I had the pleasure of attending an early screening in my hometown of Southport, NC at Surf Cinema. Having had the privilege of appearing in the stage version of this musical twice as Sofia, I jumped at the opportunity to see the stage and screen mashup of this beloved classic. When I entered the lobby,…
The Oikos Institute for Social Impact (Oikos), an innovative nonprofit dedicated to empowering faith communities and BIPOC anchor institutions and community development, is thrilled to announce its ambitious plans for 2024, marking a significant milestone in its mission to catalyze communal transformation and economic renewal. The Oikos Institute for Social Impact addresses the challenges of…
Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development (SFEPD)was established in 1998. A brainchild of Theodore ‘Ted’ Daniels, SFEPD was one of the first nonprofits to deliver customized financial literacy programs and professional development opportunities for people in communities nationwide. Since 2017, SFEPD has hosted a Student Ambassador Program to train…
Hood Theological Seminary’s 2024 Virtual Firm Foundation Covenant Service is scheduled for February 7, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. The preacher will be Bishop Michael A. Frencher, Sr., Mid-West District and President, Board of Bishops, A.M.E. Zion Church. This event will be virtual via Zoom. This annual service is sponsored by the Board of Bishops of…
