The Missouri City – Sugar Land Chapter – Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated recently hosted its inaugural Black History Program, “Our History – A Journey through the Ages” at Lake Olympia Middle School. Over 200 members, families, and guests attended this fun and educational historical tribute to Black History.
The children demonstrated their oratorical skills and took the guests on a journey through the ages with powerful tributes to African-American leaders, activists, musicians, and artists. The youngest performers, wearing black berets, payed homage to the Black Panther movement. A movement started in 1966 to help minority groups demand equality in education, housing, employment, and civil rights.
The elementary-aged participants presented an electrifying Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Parade. The participants wore their chosen school’s t-shirt proudly announcing their HBCU and notable alumni for each.
The middle school and high school teens showcased musical genres through the decades including Doo Wop, Blues, R&B, Jazz, and Rap/Hip Hop. In between the group performances, children showcased their individual talents. A young vocalist performed “Here Comes the Sun”, a trumpet player jazzed up the crowd with “When The Saints Go Marching In” accompanied by a second line, a harpist played a tribute to a Black Jazz Harpist – Dorothy Ashby and a theatrical performance written by one of our teens energized everyone.
The event concluded with the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” originally written as a poem and set to music in the 1900’s. It is now referred to as the Negro National Anthem. The event was free to all and a major success.
Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated is an organization founded in 1938 with the mission of stimulating the growth and development of children through educational, cultural, civic, recreational, health and social programs inspired by members who are all mothers.
