The monitor., 1928-02-17
NEGRO HISTORY week
CELEBRATION is A
DECIDED SUCCESS
Large and Representative Gathering
of Both Races Present at First
Local Observance of
Event
COOPERATIVE SPIRIT EVIDENT

An audience numbering approx
mately 700 composed of members of
both races, attended the first observ-
ance of National Negro History Week
in the spacious auditorium of the
South High school, last Friday night.
Taken all in all it was a marked sue
cess, exceeding the highest expecta-
tions of its sponsors and promoters.
The fine spirit of whole hearted CO.
operation manifested by organizations
and citizens of both the North Side
and South Side was unquestionably
responsible for the success of the eel
ebration, and in this cooperation rep
resentatives of both races shared.
The program featured the produc-
tions, musical and literary, of the Ne
gro race. 1t opened with the singing
of America" by the audience, fol-
lowed by an invocation by the Rev
j. c. Brewer, pastor of Allen chapel,
South Side Miss Catherine Williams,
representing the Tri-Arts society, an
organization of high school pupils,
gave as piano number, might" by
R. Nathaniel Dett, and later on the
program, Mr. John jackson, of the
same organization, gave as violin
solo, Jubilee Songs" by Clarecen
Cameron White, with Miss Williams
at the piano; and Miss Villa Hayes
played with her usual brilliancy "Ju-
ba Dance" by Dett. In justice to
all musicians who gave numbers on
the program it should be stated that
the piano was badly out of tune.
Other musical numbers, all of which
were enthusiastically received and
enjoyed, were "Listen to the Lambs"
by Dett; and deep River" by Bur-
leigh, by the well-trained choir of St.
Johns A. M. E. church; "Zion," a
composition by the choir master of
Zion Baptist church by that popular
choir; Didn't 1t RAIN" Burleigh, by
Mrs. Pearl Ray Reese; selections by
Pilgrim Baptist male quartet; by the
Taylor quartet, composed of the Rev.
Russell Taylor and his sons, Russell,
jr., William and Ebert, the Carna-
ton Choral club, and the National
Negro Anthem, Johnson, by the aud
fence.
Mrs. Carrie Carter recited delight
fully her own arrangement of Paul
Laurence Dunbar's 'In the Morning"
and Mrs. L. M. Brewer gave readings
from Countee Cullen and Langston
Hughes
The principal address was deliver
led by Attorney H. J. Pinkett, who
traced the influence of the Negro
from ancient times upon the Grecian
and Roman civilization and also upon
modern times. He expressed the
hope that should the sceptre of power
pass to the darker race, which is a
possibility, the darker races would
not use it to exploit and repress as
the dominant white race has done.
The Rev. John Albert Williams told
the purpose of Negro History Week,
saying that it was to inspire our youth
with the deeds done by members of
the race, not to encourage self-con-
ceit, but to develop self respect.
The Negro press was the subject of
paper by Mr.. Fred Wakefield and
the Negro in art and music was pre-
sented by Miss Alice Hunter. Brief
and appropriate remarks were made
by Mrs. C. W. Axtell, vice president
of the South Side Social Settlement;
Mrs. j. H. Vance, chairman of Col
ored Work of the Y. w. G. A., and
by Miss Belle Ryan, assistant super
intendent of schools.
The benediction was pronounced
by the Rev. John H. Grant, pastor of
st. Johns A. M. E. church.
7 Mrs. M. l.. Rhone, director of the
Cultural Center, South Side, presided.