CAMDEN — By PATRIC FLANNIGAN
Staff writer
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, “You will change your mind; you will change your looks; you will change your smile, laugh, and ways, but no matter what you change, you will always be you.”
That statements holds true to the African American Historical Commission of Camden as it prepares for the ninth annual MLK Freedom Celebration that will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at Greater New Calvary Church of God in Christ. The AAHCC held an informative first meeting of 2019 to discuss the recent changes in leadership and to the usual format of the celebration.
This year, the event will be a two-day celebration with the gospel concert at Greater New Calvary COGIC on Sunday, followed by “a day of service” in the community where members will encourage everyone to do something to honor the spirit of Dr. King.
Sunday’s concert will feature the reading of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech by Bishop Chester Thompson, performances from J Crew of St. Paul Baptist Church, D.I.P. of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church and the Camden Community Choir under the direction of Ricky Harris, Charles Elliott and AAHCC Hall of Famer June Rogers.
There is no admission charge to attend this event.
The mission of the African American Historical Commission is to research, publish, and preserve the history of African Americans in Camden and the southwestern region of Arkansas.
AAHCC states that it fills a void that has been previously ignored by historians. AAHCC continues to highlight the accomplishments and experiences of Institutions, Camden natives and Arkansans in the Southwest Region of Arkansas who are of African descent. In the past, AAHCC has accomplished this task by establishing the AAHCC Hall of Fame and holding an MLK Dream Banquet that featured awards such as the Bernice Calahan-Clary Service Award. The group also gives out several scholarships to graduating seniors annually.
Another project the AAHCC has accomplished is the publishing of “In the Spirit,” an encyclopedia of the history of the African American church in this region. Various historical markers have been erected around the city of Camden to honor African Americans who have made major contributions to The City of Camden and State of Arkansas. Recent dedications were for Monroe Bowie and Beulah Ivory - an entrepreneur and an educator respectively who are from the area of Camden.