THE SOUTHEASTERN PROVINCE YEAR IN REVIEW GALLERY
Greenville (SC) Alumni Celebrates Juneteenth, Community and Reclamation at the Historic Soapstone Baptist Church
By Hiram Springle
A celebration of community and history began with a gathering of the brothers. Above from left: Teron R. Singley (Gamma Nu 2002), Darryl W. Williams (Greenville (SC) AL 1991) , Charles E. Singley (Orangeburg (SC) AL 2003) Robert Dale Austin (Greenville (SC) AL 1977), Hiram Springle, Rev. Stacey Mills (Spartanburg (SC) AL 2011) and Rev. Chet Trower (Alpha Epsilon 1963). A s Rev. Chester Trower welcomed the audience to the Liberia Community and the sacred grounds of Historic Soapstone Baptist Church, one could not help but ap- preciate that just two days before, President Joseph R. Biden signed the bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday. This was seen as a step in the direction of further acknowledgement of the sacrifices African Americans have endured over the centu- ries in America.
Moderators for the program were Stacey Mills (Spartanburg (SC) AL 2011), Senior Pastor of Mountain View Baptist Church, & Kameron Little, Legacy Early College 2021 Salutatorian. The opening prayer and welcome was delivered by Chester Trower (Alpha Ep- silon 1963), Pastor, of Soapstone Baptist Church. Deacon Mable Clark gave an informative history of Soapstone and the Liberia community. Large soapstone rocks formed the unique stage from which the first feder- ally mandated Juneteenth observance in the Liberia community took place. The program was kicked off with “Lift
Ev'ry Voice and Sing” rendered by the harmonious voices of sisters, Deljohy, Johalinx & Johanney Meralus. Their performance was followed by an origi- nal well researched oratorical presenta- tion of the Juneteenth story by their talented brother Dylan. South Carolina Governor’s school alumni and Univer- sity of South Carolina music student, Christina Brown, graced our ears as music from the strings of her violin reverberated pleasantly throughout the beautiful mountain setting of the Liberia community. Our poet laureate was Maya Amber Sherer. Her mother, Glenis Redmond, a world renowned performance poet named her daughter
in honor of Maya Angelou. Maya’s Ju- neteenth poem was a resounding tribute to her name sake. Christina Brown once again soothed our souls with her original violin composition “Amazing Grace”. Closing comments and prayer were offered by Rev. Ennis Fant, a descendant of the Mc Junkin family descendant and District 25 representative on Greenville County Council. The event was coordinated by Brothers Hiram J. Springle (Gamma Zeta 1970) , Unity Sports Founder and Greenville (SC) alumni SKAC & Chet Trower, Pastor Soapstone Baptist Church.
THE JOURNAL ♦ SUMMER 2021 | 139
VIRTUAL 85 TH GRAND CHAPTER MEETING
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