Black History Month ends with event


Thursday, March 4, 2010
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Black History Month ends with event

By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer

Photo by Sue Watson

Author reads to students

Margina Graham Parker reads from her new children’s book while Taryl Nugent holds the microphone.

Black economic empowerment was the theme of the fourth annual Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum Festival last week.

Writer Margina Graham Parker read her children’s book, “I Am Michelle Obama: The First Lady,” to school children and autographed copies of her first book. The purpose of her first book is to increase literacy among black children, she said.

The book highlights the various stages of the first lady’s life, starting with her middle-class beginnings, her education, her marriage, her career and finally her service in the White House.

Parker said it is because of her education that she was able to write the children’s book, stressing the importance of education.

“It is because of education that you, too, can control your own destiny,” she said.

She said Michelle Obama’s life is about much more than looking nice.

“This is an accomplished woman,” she said. “I wanted to get the word out about who she is as an educated person and mother.”

Photo by Sue Watson

Brown performs

Special song - “Walk With Me Lord” - was provided by Mary Brown.

Now a single mom, Parker completed a bachelor’s at Jackson State, became a teacher last year and also completed a master’s degree. She lives in Michigan. Her book can be purchased on Amazon.com or from tumainipublishing.com

The festival was held at the Eddie Lee Smith Multi-Purpose Building and also included tours for children at the museum.

The welcome was provided by Mayor Andre’ DeBerry, second black mayor of Holly Springs, who spoke of the importance of celebrating the history of the nation and understanding the history through multiculturalism.

Some local business leaders were honored during the festival:

• George Clark, first black owner of a motel and cab company in Holly Springs, 1946.

• Bobby and Maxine Adkins, first licensed screen printing business, 1970.

• Lavora Blake, first manicurist/personal grooming business owner, April 17, 1984.

• Lincoln Martin, first black-owned print shop, September 1980.

• Annie Moffitt-Lucas, first black business complex owner and operator of restaurant/banquet hall.

• Billy Autry, first black owner of radio station - WKRA.

• John W. Crittle, first black financial business services owner - bookkeeping, taxes, mortgage and insurance.

• Dr. McIntosh, first black dentist.

• Dr. Kenneth Williams, first black owner of hospital.

• Pegues and Sons, hair business 1965.

• Russell Barber Shop, in business since 1948 as longest family-owned shop.

• James Walton, first black certified building contractor.

• Dr. Betty Baptist, first black female dentist.

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