Ebenezer hosts black history program

Ebenezer hosts black history program

For the Cumberland Times-News

CUMBERLAND — The parishioners at Ebenezer Fall Gospel Baptist Church, Cumberland, gathered recently for a Commemorative Black History Month Celebration and Census 2000 program. The church choir and pastor were dressed in African garb and the colors and designs reflected the history and heritage of African-Americans.

Marvin Masterson, director of the Governors Census 2000 Office, presented a citation from Gov. Parris Glendenning to the Rev. John McIntyre and the congregation. He also presented citations to Jackie Harper and to the Allegany County Branch of the NAACP. Masterson stressed the importance of participating in the upcoming census efforts.

Harold Young, state coordinator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, discussed how the Clinton administration had placed $25 million in the budget for faith-based initiatives. These funds are available through HUD. Young also related to some Black History events that occurred in Alabama with Rosa Parks and how it paralleled the efforts of the present day female African American astronaut's rise to top and to the front of the space capsule.

The speaker, Ackneil Muldrow, president and CEO of the Development Credit Fund, a small and minority business lending organization, relived to the church his experiences in refusing to give up his seat on a train in South Carolina to a white person. Muldrow recounted his experiences as a student at A&T State University in Greensboro, N.C., and participating in the sit-ins at the Woolworth's lunch counter and theaters. He spoke of the need for youth to become more involved in today's society and to use the struggles of parents and grandparents as lessons to achieve parity in today’s world.

Muldrow praised the efforts of Ebenezer Full Gospel Baptist Church and the Allegany County Branch of the NAACP for being in the forefront of leading the struggle for equality in Western Maryland. Much has been achieved and much has been lost; he stressed that we all need to continue with the efforts to achieve.

A citation was presented to Muldrow by Allegany County Commissioner Jim Stakem, who also spoke about the significance of Black History Month. Councilman Butch Hendershot presented a citation to Muldrow from the Mayor and City Council of Cumberland.

Jackie Harper, president of the Allegany County Branch of the NAACP, announced that she was taking a leave of absence as president of the organization. She said that the leave of absence would last until after the council elections. This, she said, was needed so that she could concentrate her energy on getting elected to the Cumberland City Council. Harper also announced that Mary Stewart, also of Ebenezer Baptist Church, would be her campaign chairwoman.

Harper thanked all who contributed to making Black History Month a success in Allegany County. Harper said that the events had provided a bridge over troubled waters to bring understanding of black cultures and history to the forefront where those who wanted to learn were provided a venue to do so.

The Rev. John McIntyre, pastor of Ebenezer, thanked those that participated in the program and reminded everyone of the role that God played in all events and lives. He also reflected on the importance of the historical perspectives that had been presented.