WHITESBORO — John H. Jones and Necheala Renee Pierce-Garcia were honored by as outstanding citizens of the year at the 21st annual Community Reunion hosted by the Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro, Inc. on Saturday, Sept. 5.
The event was held under a tent adjacent to Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, flanked by numerous vendors’ booths.
The afternoon presentations were the highlight of the three-day event, which began with family movies on Friday evening, and continued to Sunday with ecumenical worship and Gospel music celebration.
Jones, coach, vice president of the Middle Township Youth Football League and District 8 committeeman, was not expecting the honor, and had to be called from his booth, wearing an apron.
Pierce-Garcia, born and raised in this community, early in life acquired “an overwhelming spirit of self reliance,” according to the program book. She has developed a summer youth camp for two years, which served over 90 campers and jobs for 12 counselors. She will also resume duties as program leader for the after school homework club, in operation for the last three years at the King Center.
She is also an ESL teacher’s assistant in Wildwood Middle school.
A moment of remembrance was held for departed community members Melvin Williams, chaplain of Concerned Citizens, and Charles “Chuck” Wilson. The program book was dedicated to them.
Rebecca Johnson Brown sang to open the event.
Bishop Edgar Robinson offered an invocation.
Speakers included Stedman Graham, executive director of the Concerned Citizens.
He urged community members, “Change your consciousness, your way of thinking.”
“I don’t like what I see,” said Graham, as he cited numerous African American communities in East Cleveland, Ohio,
Philadelphia, Chicago, Detroit which are filled with poverty, crime and drug problems.
“The problem is hope,” he added. That is why he urged a change of consciousness.
“It’s not a black or white thing. We need to change our consciousness. Change your thought process and the way you think about yourself,” said Graham.
“Black men make up 6 percent of the population and yet account for 70 percent of the prison population,” said Graham, as he gestured in disbelief.
“What about you? What is the dropout rate in Whitesboro? What are the opportunities for jobs?” he asked.
“You have got to have an identity, and know who you are. That what our elders understood,” he added.
“Try to move from slavery of the mind,” Graham said.
Regardless of race, Graham said, “Mentally, you still haven’t left the plantation. The question is can you change?”
“Think beyond the box, outside the comfort zone,” he urged.
Then he imparted the words of Dr. King, “If you are a street sweeper, can you change your consciousness?
He admonished, as did King, “Be the best street sweeper. That all heaven and earth will say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper. Be the best of whatever you are. Change your consciousness.”
His speech was accorded a warm round of applause.
One of those who joined the applause was Mary Graham, Stedman’s mother, who marked her 85th birthday on Sept. 5.
Middle Township Mayor F. Nathan Doughty spoke about the rich tradition that is Whitesboro’s, and the many leaders who have made the community their home.
Lt. Christopher Leusner, soon to be Middle Township chief of police, reinforced his hope that community policing will become an effective tool to help the people work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to help upgrade the community.
Cheryl Spaulding, program coordinator of the Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro, Inc. highlighted the activities of the group, including the John Roberson Golf Tournament to raise scholarship funds, the Homework Club, to help children do better in school, and the annual reunion, to being the community together.
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