Mount Zion to host Black History Month program

Mount Zion Baptist Church is celebrating Black History Month with a special program and a musical this week. The church, led by Pastor T. Cooper, is located at 1013 N. Hwy. 16 (aka the Loving Highway). On Friday, Feb. 17, the program will commence, reflecting the theme, a quote by Anatole France, that states, “To accomplish great things we must not only act but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.” After a welcome including song, scripture and prayer, Mount Zion will feature the Youth Department, led by Andi Tate. A musical will follow, featuring the Mount Zion choir, with voices including some from the church’s past Great Legendaries. There will also be visitors in the musical, including Charles Gibson, minister of music at Oak Street Baptist Church, Pastor Golden of Rising Star Baptist Church in Olney, Pastor Fanfork of Graham and Pastor Hollaman of Breckenridge. The program will then include remarks and close with the song, “We Shall Overcome.” The event is open to the public and guests are welcome. Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.