Black History Month Events
Hall County Library
What: Book signing and discussion with Dawn Bedingfield, author of "Why Not Black Women?"
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17
Where: 127 Main St. NW Gainesville
More Info: Call 770-532-3311, ext. 114
Truth and Deliverance Outreach Ministries
All events held at 701 Main St., Gainesville
What: When Sistas Sing the Gospel
When: 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13
What: Community Conversation, Fifty Years of Civil Rights Progress in Education, Voting Rights and Community Relations
When: 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21
What: "Gimme Those Old Negro Spirituals They Are Good Enough For Me" Gospel Concert
When: 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27
Click here to listen to the African-American Achievers of Hall County series.
In a small church, a congregation raised their arms Tuesday night and ushered in Black History Month with song, prayer and praise.
"It's because of him (God) that we can even put our hands together," said the Rev. Brandie Watson at the Truth and Deliverance Outreach Ministries. "...It's because of him that we can even celebrate Black History Month."
For the first time this year, the church will hold a series of events in honor of Black History Month.
Several other organizations across Gainesville will also host programs throughout February.
The Hall County Library will hold a book signing and discussion with Dawn Bedingfield, author of "Why Not Black Women?" on Thursday, Feb. 17. In the book, the author addresses the trend of black men seeking out relationships with women of different races. The event will be held at the Gainesville branch and is free to the public.
Also as a part of Black History Month, Brenau University's radio station, WBCX, will present the series "Hall County African American Achievers."
Produced by the Beulah Rucker Museum, the vignettes honor the works and histories of black individuals, highlighting their contributions to the community.
The 28-part show will run throughout the month with segments airing several times daily.
Two events at the Truth and Deliverance Outreach Ministries will focus on the importance of song in the black community. On Sunday, Feb. 13, the church will host "When Sistas Sing the Gospel" and on Sunday, Feb. 27, it will present another gospel concert centered on black spirituals.
The Rev. Rose Johnson-Mackey said she is most looking forward to a panel discussion the church will host on Monday, Feb. 21.
"It's a conversation where we just want to encourage Gainesvillians to just share their thoughts about the progress made in education and voting rights, in community relations," she said.
Her church is a small one, Johnson-Mackey said. But she believes it's important for the congregation to have a voice in the larger Black History Month celebration.
"Our hope is that with the events that we have planned and with other events that churches or organizations might be having throughout the community, that we can really have a very purposeful Back History Month celebration across the community," she said.