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Historically Speaking
Published
by The Afro-American Historical Association of the
Niagara
Frontier
, P.O. Box
63, Buffalo
NY
14207
Sharon
Holley and Madeline Scott, Editors
Volume 27 Number
1
April 2003
PRESIDENT
HACKNEY’S PARTING MESSAGE
This will be the last
Newsletter that I will have the official responsibility, as President, to
address to you. Serving as President
of the African American Historical Association of Niagara Frontier has truly
been a privilege and a rewarding learning experience. The chance to work with
very dedicated and beautiful people- who have labored hard to ensure that the
association remains a vital and viable association was truly an honor. Together
we have shared productive meetings and a wealth of knowledge pertaining to the
preservation of Black History. The
progress of our association is a testament of the work and commitment of faith
reflected by our board members. The cooperation, unity, communication,
dedication and being on one accord for its advancement was a vision shared by
all.
It
is an exhilarating and humbling experience when people demonstrate their trust
and confidence by electing you as an officer, especially the Presidency of an
association.
My
sincere appreciation to all of you for this unique opportunity -
to serve. I especially would like to thank Mrs. Sandra Bush of the North
Jefferson Branch Library for allowing us to have met there periodically, and
Mrs. Eva Doyle for the promotional articles regarding our activity in the weekly
Criterion.
It
has been a good three years in terms of our growth and accomplishments. Our
membership continues to grow and the list of Subscribers to our Journal, Afro
Americans in New York Life and History continues to increase. In addition,
the journal has inspired a lot of good research and articles on the history of
African Americans in
New York
State
. Our efforts are already having an impact on literature in American History.
Presenters
at our annual dinners have taken us down an exciting road of history as it
pertains to their family tree. Sharing with the audience the inspiring stories
about their families should help us all. We,
the association encouraged everyone to research their family history. We have
members on the board that are willing to help you to formulate your history for
a presentation. We are always looking for presenters. Our association will also
work with organizations such as churches, clubs, and groups in developing record
management procedures that enhance preservation. Yearly at our dinner we present
the William Wells Brown to individuals or groups who have contributed to the
preservation of African American History. We invite you to our dinner this year
which will provide information on the vision and plans for the
Nash
House
Community
Museum
, Nash House, and
Michigan
Avenue
Baptist
Church
and how the vision will impact the entire community.
This
Historical Speaking Newsletter captures the winning essays of our twenty
- sixth annual Carter G. Woodson Essay Contest. Each year we encourage teachers,
community groups, churches, and family members to introduce this contest to our
youth. It enhances their writing skills and knowledge about outstanding events
and people in our community.
In
2002 we added a new feature to our annual membership renewal campaign. A great
way to support an important community service and at the same time remember your
friends and loved ones with a valuable Christmas gift- give association
membership as Christmas gifts. The recipient of your gift membership will
receive a one year subscription to our journal and Historically Speaking,
our informative Newsletter.
Our association in cooperation
with
Forest
Lawn
Cemetery
sponsored the first and second African American Ancestral Heritage Tour. The
success of the first year brought about a demand for a second year. Two air
conditioned busses toured the grounds of Forest Lawn viewing burial sites of
prominent African Americans. A
highlight of the tour featured actors and actresses portraying the individual
history at their burial site. There was no admission fee for the tour.
Interested persons are encouraged to submit the names and a short biography of
persons for consideration in future tours. You will be notified of this year’s
tour plan.
Here
are additional highlights of events co sponsored by the association;
Ø
Supported the Web-site Launch of “Uncrowned Queens- African
American Women Community Builders of Western New
York.” Presented with a Trophy which reads: Recognition of Support Women’s
Pavilion Pan Am 2001, Inc.
Ø
Co-sponsored “Unchained Memories” –
Readings
from the Slave Narratives – an HBO documentary special. Recalling one of the
darkest periods in our nations history. This film brought the words of these
former slaves to life through the voices of celebrated actors. The viewing was
at the
Buffalo
and Erie County Historical Society – February 5th and was
premiered February 10th on HBO.
Ø
March 27. Will co-Sponsor the
Buffalo Genealogical Society of
African Diaspora Association’s – workshop featuring Tony Burroughs.
Ø
Supported a lecture featuring Dr. Allen B. Ballard of SUNY Albany
- “Where I Am Bound” with Joshua’s Journey, Community Gospel Choir.
The lecture was sponsored by African American Studies, SUNY at
Buffalo
.
Ø
Members of our board were conference Presenters – “Twenty-five
years of Preserving Black History in Western New York”- presented by the
Uncrowned Queen Institute for Research & Education on Women, Inc. – We
were presented with a trophy which reads; AAHA of Niagara Frontier- “Cultural
Keeper in the African American Community of WNY” November 16, 2002
Ø
Association Interview – Mary Davis radio Show.
Ø
The association will be hosting with Buffalo State College and
ASALH (Association for the Study of Afro American Life and History) their
annual meeting in the year 2005. Specific information will be available at a
later date. Dr. Felix Armfield, & Dr. Lillian Williams, Co-chair the
program.
Ø
We are proud to announce that the association has been awarded a
community history preservation grant from
New York
State
in the amount of ($30,000).
1974-2003
- Twenty-nine years and
the vision continues. Our best years are yet to come. To God be the Glory.
Wanda
Hackney, 2003
26th
ANNUAL FAMILY HISTORY DINNER
The
Afro-American Historical Association’s 26th Annual Family History
Dinner will be held Friday, May 2nd,
6:45
P.M.
at the Golden Nugget. A presentation
on the historic “Nash House” will be made by George K. Arthur, Felix
Armfield, PhD and Adonis Dawkins. William
Wells Brown Awards will be presented to; Clifford Bell, Adonis Dawkins, Pearl
Moore and Federal Magistrate Hugh B. Scott for their work in the preservation of
African American History. Tickets
for the Dinner can be obtained by sending $20 to AAHA,
P.O.
Box 63
,
Buffalo
,
NY
14207
.
Madeline O. Scott is Dinner Chairperson.
BOOK
ANNOUNCEMENT
Hold
Tight to the Hames: Episodes of Life in
Athens
County
(
Ohio
)
By
Alvin C. Adams.
Hold Tight to the Hames is about growing up black in rural and
predominantly white
Southeastern Ohio
.
The author calls the autobiographical book “Appalachian Americana”
literature. It is an anthology of
everyday occurrences that helped shape his values and his life.
The book began as a single account on paper of an
incident in the author’s youth that he wanted to share with a daughter and son
reluctant to hear another story about “the good old days.”
One story led to another, until the collection included events of the
author’s life through high school. The
tone ranges from humor to tragedy as
Adams
recounts events from
childish mistakes in judgment to
deaths of loved ones.
Hold Tight to the Hames was first published
by the author in 1983 and sold by the Athens County Historical Society and
Museum (
Athens County
,
Ohio
).
It was improved with new material, photographs and sketches and
republished in 2003 in conjunction with an art exhibit entitled, “People of
Color: A Multicultural Role in History.” The
exhibit was guest curated by
Adams
’ nephew, David
Butcher, and tells the story of the Adams and Butcher family who lived in the
multiracial community of Kilvert, in
Athens County
,
Ohio
.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book
will go to the
Multicultural
Genealogical
Center
, on whose board both
men serve. The book’s sale price
is $18. Orders should be sent to:
Alvin Adams, 12128 S.R. 329, Stewart OH 45778.
The author can also be contacted at amadams@frognet.net
or 740-448-1305.
ERIE
COUNTY
LINKS SCHEDULE
“NIGHT
ON THE TOWN”
The
Erie County Chapter of The Links will hold their
Annual
“Night On The Town” on Saturday, November 11th at Samuels Grande
Manor. The 2003 theme will be
“Night In The Carribean On The ECL Cruise Ship.” Proceeds of this event will
benefit the Chapters Scholarship Program and their charitable contributions.
Chairperson for the annual Fundraiser is Diane Byas Green, co-chairs are
Marie Black and Kathy Wood. Chapter
President is Catherine Lewis Smith.
26th
ANNUAL CARTER G. WOODSON ESSAY CONTEST
The theme for the Afro-American historical Association’s 26th
Annual Carter G. Woodson Essay Contest was “African American Ministers and
Religious Leaders in
Western New York
.” This
year’s contest was co-sponsored by the Lit-Mus Study Club, the Department of
Extension Services, BECPL, and the North Jefferson Branch Library & Center
for Local Afro-American History and Research.
The essays were read at an African American History program at the North
Jefferson Branch Library on
February 22, 2003
.
Awards were president by Mrs. Wanda Hackner President of the Historical
Association. Program chairman was
Mrs. Sharon Holley. The winning
essays in the various categories were as follows:
3rd
Place
,
Grade 4-6
Brienna
Lacey
Heim
Middle
School
– Grade 6
Williamsville
NY
Reverend
Jeff
Elgin
Carter, Jr.
My
pastor. Rev. Jeff Elgin Carter, Jr. arrived in
Buffalo
,
New
York
on a cold, snowy Wednesday night. His airplane flight was cancelled and he rode
the train all night to
Buffalo
with one small suitcase and $80.00 to begin his future.
Rev.
Carter graduated from
Grambling
State
University
and became a math teacher. He was pastor of Prayer Tower Church of God In Christ
and Prince of Peace Temple Church of God In Christ. I was one of the youngest
members baptized by Rev. Carter. Currently,
he and his wife. Pastor Deborah Carter are Founding Pastors of
Ephesus Ministries in
Buffalo
,
New
York
.
Rev.
Carter became the Coordinating Chaplain at the Attica Correctional Facility.
Rev. Carter's ministry in the prison system has been recognized al over
the country. In 1987, Ebony Magazine
did a four page article with pictures of Rev. Carter about his career with the
New York State Department of Corrections- In 1991. Rev. Carter was chosen as one
of only two Chaplains from
Erie
County
to attend an International Prison Chaplains Conference in
Geneva
,
Switzerland
.
In March 1998, his work in the prison system was featured in the Buffalo News.
Rev. Carter served as secretary and president of the New York State Chaplains
Association. He was also on the Chaplain Certification Committee of the New York
State Community of Churches. He helped write policies in the Department of
Corrections about how inmates worship and five their lives.
Rev.
Carter is on the Board of Governors of the National Conference for Community and
Justice, the Law Enforcement and Diversity Team of Erie County, past president
of the Network of Religious Communities of Western New York, chairperson of
the
Board of the Pastoral and Church Ministries Program at
Houghton
College
and teacher at the Colgate Rochester Seminary. Rev. Carter has received many
awards such as the National Conference for Community and Justice Award for
Outstanding Leader in the Interfarth Community and the Governor's Tribute to
African American Leaders of Excellence in State Service. Rev. Carter is a
cultural diversity trainer and works for racial harmony and peace in our
community.
Rev.
Carter is a wonderful husband, tamer and grandfather. He has been married for 33
years to Deborah Carter, who he calls his "Queen." He is the father of
four children, grandfather of two boys, foster father to two sons. and godfather
to many others. In
October
21,1999
Rev. Carter donated one of his kidneys to his son, Jeff III, giving him fife for
a second time. This was an emotional time for Rev. Carter and he says that he
would give his heart as well as his other kidney to his son.
Rev.
Carter has been a great spiritual leader for my family and I hope you agree that
he is one of our outstanding African American ministers and religious leaders in
Western
New York
.
3rd
Place
,
Grade 4-6
Elizabeth
Bailey
Campus
West
School
– Grade 5
Dr.
Noma L, Roberson
Dr.
Noma L. Roberson has the power to cure spiritual, mental, and physical
sicknesses. God has trusted her with the this power. She has used it to do
medical research around the world. She has helped many people in many countries.
Dr.
Roberson serves as an Evangelist and a district missionary in
Western
New York
. She has worked with the
Church
of
God
in Christ. Dr. Roberson had a membership totaling thirty- nine years in the that
church. She is now an active part of Saints' Home Church of God in Christ. She
has thirty-two years of membership at the church she belongs to now. Dr.
Roberson serves faithfully in the church. Dr. Roberson has served in many
positions in the local, jurisdictional, and national church. She has been a
Workshop instructor, a district secretary. President of Pastor's and Minister's
wives, and a President of the Saints' Home Department of Women. She was also a
Bible
School
teacher. God has chose Dr. Roberson to lead church services, seminars, retreats,
and conferences across the nation.
She
has completed a Master of Science degree in Natural Science in 1978. She
received her doctorate in Experimental Pathology-Epidemiology and Cancer Control
in 1985 at the State University of New York at
Buffalo
.
She is currently the President and Chief executive of the Roberson Consulting
International, which is in
Amherst
,
New
York
.
For
twenty nine years Dr. Roberson worked as an epidemiologist and a cancer control
specialist at
Roswell
Park
institute. Roswell Park Institute is known as a leading research hospital for
cancer. She was the designer of a mobile health and screening van. Many
hospitals have used her idea to help more people who would not get the medical
care they need.
Dr.
Roberson believes that god is responsible for her ability to cure people of
their spiritual, mental, and physical sicknesses.
God's power leads her to reach out to many people. She uses the strong
words of god to make her healing a success. She is the author of three books
about cancer research. Her hard work has earned her more than thirty awards. Dr.
Roberson's many accomplishments have improved the lives of cancer patients in
our world. We are lucky to have her as a member of our
community. She is an amazing person.
2nd
Place
,
Grade 4-6
Brittany
Williams
Makowski
School
– Grade 4
Edgar
French McClellan
Edgar
French McClellan Sr. was born on
May
14, 1904
in
Hattiesburg
Mississippi
and was the only child of Zula Hardison and Gene McClellan. He attended
elementary school and high school in
Memphis
Tennessee
.
He also attended the Moody Bible Institute where he was ordained a minister. In
1935 he moved to
Buffalo
with his family. He began pastoring
at several different store fronts which included,
501
Clinton Street
and
95
Spruce Street
.
Edgar French McClellan Sr. died in 1972 at age 68.
What
made Edgar French McClellan Sr. a significant leader in our community is similar
to what makes Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. a hero. They both had a dream, a vision
to make their black community better. Bishop McClellan was the first black
pastor to build a church, taking his church out of storefront ghettos into
mainstream churches. Many acknowledge his church, Holy Temple C.O.G.I.C.as the,
"
Mother
church
"
for its denomination in
Buffalo
.
Teaching his members about sacrifice, he struggled to pay for his church,
spending two years worshipping in the basement and selling chicken dinners.
Among
other accomplishments Bishop McClellan was the first black pastor to ever have
started a radio program. He was on WUFO each Sunday from one to
two
pm
.
He also held annual tent services on the corners of Clinton and Jefferson,
bringing thousands of lives to Christ. Finally he also served under C.O.G.I.C.
as head of the elders council and was appointed Bishop, the highest position in
the church. Over all Bishop McClellan was a pioneer in the
Western
New York
community.
Not
only was he well respected in the community of
Buffalo
,
but I also have a great respect for him because he is my great grandfather.
1st
Place
,
Grade 4-6
Felicia
Staples
St.
John
Christian
Academy
– grade 6
Reverend
Albert Charles Ware
Reverend
A.C. Ware, as he was known to so many, served as Pastor of Friendship Baptist
Church located at
402
Clinton St.
Buffalo
N.Y.
for 20 years.
Albert
Charles Ware was born
December
26,1926
in
Macon
Mississippi
.
Pastor Ware was educated in
Greenwood
Mississippi
.
He was a graduate of Tennessee Mechanic Institute (TMI) class of 1953. Pastor
Ware received the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in January 1963 at Daniel Payne
College, Birmingham, Alabama; Diploma in Theology from the J.L. Campbell School
of Religion in Tennessee in January 1966 and received the Doctor of Humane
Letters from the Tennessee Baptist School of Religion in 1982. On
December
22, 1991
,
he received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Baptist Bible School
of Western New York.
Rev.
Ware served as pastor of several churches in different states including;
Mississippi
,
Arkansas
,
Tennessee
and
Toledo
,
Ohio
before he and his widow, Mrs. Shirley Ware stepped out on faith and became the
Pastor and First Lady to the congregation of
Friendship
Baptist
Church
in July 1978. Throughout his
guidance
Baptist
Church
he completed a $250,000 renovation of the Sanctuary and lower auditorium. The
$750,000
Edward
McNeely
Education
Building
,
and a $2 million 50-unit Senior Citizen and
Handicapped
apartment complex named Friendship Manor.
He
was a former member of the NAACP Executive Committee of Buffalo branch and was
selected by the National Director of the NAACP to Coordinate the Religion
affairs Department to the 1981-82 annual NAACP church Financial Campaign in
Buffalo and its surrounding area.
Pastor
Ware served as former president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Buffalo,
former member of the Board of Directors of Sheehan Memorial Hospital One of Rev.
A.C. Ware biggest and most visible accolades was being president of the Board of
Directors which oversees the management of two large housing complexes. Town
Gardens limited and Ellicott Community Redevelopment Foundation (Town Gardens
Phases 1 &2) which have allowed low-income residents to live m affordable
apartments and new 'build homes in our city which 2.2 million was provided by
M&T bank in 1993.
Before
Rev. Ware's death on
July
21, 1998
,
he had many incomplete projects, which since 1998 have been successfully
completed. These include: new stained glass windows and doors in the church's
vestibule, a 20-unit Senior Citizen complex located across from Friendship
Manor, purchase of land for church parking, in addition to the Friendship Bus
Ministry. And lastly, a significant reminder that his legacy lives on the A.C.
Ware Manor was completed
February
27, 2002
and welcomed its first occupant in March 2002.
Although
Pastor Albert Charles Ware is no longer here with us, we see and
visit
the many contributions and accomplishments he left behind in Western New
York
daily.
1st
Place
,
Grade 7-9
Kelli
Pirtle
City
Honors
School
– grade 9
The
Reverend Dr. Bennett W. Smith, Sr.
When I first heard the topic "African American Ministers and
Religious Leaders in
Western
New York
,"
I automatically thought of the pastor of my church, St. John Baptist Church of
Buffalo, New York. Even though he has been deceased for almost two years, Rev.
Dr. Bennett W. Smith, Sr.'s vision is still vivid in my mind. His vision for
greatness may be the reason why he chose as his theme “
A
More Excellent Way
.”
Rev. Smith was raised in a small town in
Alabama
.
His greatest influences while growing up included his mother and his
grandmother. Soon after he left home. Rev. Smith joined the Air Force to work
for his country. He spent 4 years working in the Office of Special
Investigations. After that he went to
Tennessee
State
University
to receive his degree in education. Even before he had received his calling.
Rev. Smith had aspirations to teach others and spread knowledge.
When Rev. Smith did receive the calling, he preached his first sermon at
Union
Baptist
Church
in
Chicago
.
The sermon was entitled 'The Hour of Decision.' He went on to be ordained into
the ministry under Rev. Vencheal Booth at
Zion
Baptist
Church
in
Cincinnati
.
He then moved on to become the pastor of First Baptist Church Mount Auburn
also in
Cincinnati
.
After the death of
St.
John's founding pastor. Rev. Bernie C. McCarley, in 1972, Rev. Smith was called
to
Buffalo
.
After his arrival, the church experienced major growth. When
he first came,
St.
John
consisted of the sanctuary and the basement. But, after time, a
second floor was added for the Sunday school, and the building expanded
to house
St.
John
Christian
Academy
.
The academy was just one of his projects that were brought to
St.
John
.
In order to follow his dream of spreading knowledge to the youth included
Project Gift, a Baptist Youth
Fellowship and a Youth Church Program. Other programs included Board of
Christian Education, Senior Citizen Fellowship, Women's Ministry, Single's
Ministry, Prison Outreach Ministry, the Male Chorus, the United Choirs of St.
John, the Radio Choir, and a radio and television broadcast. Also, instead of 1
worship service. Rev. Smith introduced the early Morning Prayer Band which grew
into the
8:00
Early Morning Worship Service, inspiring other churches to do the same.
Rev. Smith not only influenced local churches, but he also influenced
religious communities from around the nation. When he served as the president of
the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBQ, he organized the
International Region, including churches from
South
Africa
,
Cuba
,
the
Caribbean
,
and the
United
Kingdom
.
The PNBC grew to 1.6 million members.
Rev. Smith was much more than a leader in the ministry; he was also a
leader in the community. He worked hard in order to benefit the people of this
area. Under his leadership,
St.
John
has put to life several projects.
St.
John
Christian
Academy
is a Pre-K through 8th grade school that encourages children to do their best.
Another one,
McCarley
Gardens
,
is a housing project consisting of 150 units to house low income families. The
St. John Senior Citizens Towers, which also consists of 150 units, assists
senior citizens. The St. John Federal Credit Union was made to consolidate other
credit unions that weren't able to exist on their own. His last project was the
Rev. Bennett W. Smith, Sr. Family Life Center, which was made to meet the many
needs of the community. The 3.6 million dollar Center
houses the Academy, a community health clinic, tutorial programs, and a
gymnasium for athletic activities.
Even though the Center was completed shortly after his death. Rev. Smith always
had a vision of the project, which he called 'Building to the Glory of God.'
He was also actively involved in social and political issues. His actions
have affected the lives of all of us. During the civil rights movement, he
worked with the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the late Rev. Ralph
Abernathy, the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. A couple of
the organizations he was involved in include the N.A.A.C.P., the World Council
of Churches, and the Revelation Corporation of Christ.
He was recognized for his efforts both locally and nationally. A couple
of his honors include Who's Who among Black Americans. Who's Who in Religion,
Ebony Magazine's 100+ Most Influential Black Americans, Conference of Christians
and Jews special Recognition Award, Buffalo Urban League's highest award,
"Outstanding Citizen of the year" by Buffalo News, and the Black
Achievers Award of Excellence.
Rev. Smith was not only a pastor; he was an educator, a civil rights
activist, a civil leader, and a humanitarian. In my opinion, all of these
aspects are what make him one of the greatest leaders of all. I still remember
looking at the many pictures, not believing that the
man standing next to Martin Luther King, Jr. was my pastor.
Rev. Smith was definitely one of the greatest (if not the greatest)
religious leaders in western
New
York
.
From his inspiring sermons, to the love for his country, he has greatly
influenced me, and anyone else that was fortunate to meet him, to live in
“
A
More Excellent Way
.”
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