By James Cullum
alexandrianews.org
Celebrated author and African scholar Dr. Ronald Walters. (Photo: Regan Kireilis)
As Black History Month drew to a close, the Alexandria chapter of the NAACP invited the community to celebrate with a soul food tasting, music and a presentation by well-known author and African scholar Dr. Ronald Walters.
“We still live in an era where people don’t understand the impact that black history has had in our collective American culture,” said Louis Hicks, director of Alexandria’s Black History museum.
Alexandrians attend a Black History Observance program at Charles Houston Recreation center. (Photo: Regan Kireilis)
Sheila Whiting, the director of the Charles Houston Recreation Center, set the tone with two rousing spirituals. Walters, who participated in the early civil rights movement, gave a call to action to the next generation of NAACP leaders.
“It all starts with the NAACP Youth Council,” he said. “This is a new era for African-Americans, especially with Barack Obama in the White House.”
After the speeches, the audience enjoyed a feast of black eyed peas, cabbage, chitterlings, collard greens and more.