Event celebrates African, Native American heritage
Saturday night’s Keeping History Alive 2018 features a lively mix of African dance, drumming, spoken word and Afrocentric fashions.
Presented by local educational group The Scholars and the Texarkana College Black Student Association at TC’s Stilwell Theatre starting at 6 p.m., this year’s rendition is the fourth annual event and the first time in this theater setting.
Chiquita Burks and Rhonda Dolberry of The Scholars explain that once again the theme is to celebrate African heritage, but also be inclusive of others. “Not only our own but trying to show the different cultures,” Dolberry said. “The main focus this time is on the kids, on The Scholars.”
The Scholars is a non-profit organization that works with youth to further their academic and entrepreneurship skills.
Funds raised at this event help the young students attend this summer’s Kid’s College at TC.
The students participating will perform on African drums, while the girls will demonstrate African dance. A woman Burks and Dolberry met at a Rotary club meeting offered to help teach the youth these dance moves. A group of Arkansas poets will join the entertainment.
“We have the Writeous from Little Rock, Ark.,” Burks said. They’re five youth who present group poetry, competing in the state with their spoken words skills, she explained. It’s yet another example of meeting people who’d like to participate in Keeping History Alive.
“That’s what Chiquita and I are telling the kids. Your communication skills matter if you have a passion for what you’re doing. And if you believe in your program, then that means you’re going to tell people,” Dolberry said. That excitement is infectious, she said.
More poetry will be performed by a Scholars’ mother, while Chiquita’s Boutique and The Couture Closet of Chic Sequel will present the mini fashion show.
In addition to music, dance, spoken word and fashions, the Choctaw Nation will send representatives as special guests. They’ll provide entertainment and share interesting artifacts from their culture. Bess Gamble-Williams, who is Native American, will also make a special appearance to discuss her heritage.
The event is billed a pre-Juneteenth celebration. “We just wanted people to recognize and then be cognizant of the fact of what Juneteenth was about, celebrating freedom, our heritage and knowing it was a kickoff point,” Dolberry said, noting they should always be doing things to celebrate their heritage.
Also at the event, The Scholars youth will have booths arranged where they sell handmade products. “Again, it’s trying to get their juices flowing about being an entrepreneur,” Dolberry said. They learn about marketing and selling their own particular product.
(Tickets: $20 for adults, $10 for youth 18 and under. Tickets can be purchased at C&C Attitudes Hair Salon and Discovery Place Interactive Museum, or by calling Rhonda Dolberry at 903-2768813 or Chiquita Burks at 903826-8884.)