Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Let us Continue our Celebration of Black History


What a rhythmic, pulsating, life affirming, vibrant force this Black History Month has been! It started in January with Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday and the premier of Selma in movie theatres throughout the country, with John Legend singing "Glory" to the drum beat of Common's victory rap.

Last week I sat in church, watched the beautiful men and women of First AME flow down the aisles wearing green, gold, magenta robes. Yesterday, KPAAPA's (Southern California Kaiser Permanente African American Professional Association) celebration of Black History Month was a testimony to what our ancestors always did - make riches from rags.

Senior Kaiser Leadership, Dr. Benjamin Chu, Executive VP of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Dr. Edward Ellison, Director/Chair of S. California Permanente Medical Group kicked off the celebration.  Beautiful Sister and Master of Ceremonies Dr. Rae Boganey entertained us with her story and joke telling.  We rocked and swayed to the beat of a drum circle, a healing balm for wounded souls. The love songs of singer Gene-O lifted us to the heavens. The list of speakers at the event would make the gods stand up and applaud.

Dr. Michael Morris, Asst. Medical Director and Pastor - an African flower that bloomed out of the ashes of the Watts riots.  "If I looked at the probable, I would be in jail," he said, "but I always look at the possible.  Death is not tragedy. Tragedy is when your dreams die before you do."

Speaking on leadership, Michael Cook, Ph.D. said, "Leadership is engaging people.  It's personal and impactful." Morchelle Tease inspired us to thrive with her poetry. Ronald James Brown, 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist and former NFL player for the L.A. Rams, reminded us that it is our obligation to reach back to help our communities.  Keynote Speaker, Dr. Susanne Afflalo echoed Brown's call for action and mentorship.

It was an evening of inspiration, creativity and hope.  Many thanks to Ebony Lewis, Regional Co-Chair, Rosemary Wilson, Erica Dewar and all the other volunteers who helped to organize the event.  They proved that on the calendar Black History Month ends today, but in our hearts it is only the beginning.

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