Thursday Update: Local organziation celebrates black history with concert

By Staff
Melissa Cason
A local organization recently hosted a singing to celebrate the history of African Americans.
Golden Chapter No. 16, a local Eastern Star organization, hosted a singing to celebrate black history through music. The event was held at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Russellville.
Event Organizer Sheryl Hamilton said a choir, made up of members from across the area, came together to praise God and worship in celebration.
"We sang different songs of African descent," Hamilton said.
One of the most interesting things of the whole event, she said, was learning to sing in Zulu and Swahili taught by Eric Kirkman.
Kirkman is known for directing the Ascending Voices of UNA and the W.C. Handy Spiritual Choir.
He is also the band director at Sheffield High School.
"The most interesting part was learning to sing in Zulu and Swahili," Hamilton said. "He made it so fun and easy to learn the songs."
In addition to serving as a black history event, the singing also celebrated the 80th year Wilhelmina Scott has been a member of the organization.
"Ms. Scott played the opening song for the event," Hamilton said.
There was also a candle lit in memory of Flora Thompson, the chapter's oldest member who passed away last year.
Hamilton said the organization was formed in 1901, when they first attended the state meeting.
"This chapter has been around a long time, but it is still an active part of the community," Hamilton said.
She added that the Eastern Star organization is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge.
"The organization is made up of wives, daughters, mothers, sisters, and widows of Masons," Hamilton said.