Black History Month Parade Searcy, AR 2005

White County witnessed its first parade honoring Black History Month Saturday morning as a joyful procession of 20 vehicles wound through downtown Searcy and halted at Spring Park.

"It's the first in the city of Searcy. It's wonderful to come together. I hope it happens every year," said Ada Johnson at the fellowship that followed the parade. The fellowship attracted more than 100 people.

Nearby sat Bertha Jenerette, who said this was her first time celebrating Black History Month outside of a church.

White County's Black History Awareness Committee organized the weekend of events, which began Friday with a program at the Carmichael Center. Director Artee Williams of the Arkansas Employment Security Department delivered the keynote address. The program concludes Sunday with a presentation on Black history at Bethlehem Church at 3 p.m.

The parade began at 11 a.m. at Gum and Academy streets. Behind a police car marched a three-soldier color guard comprised of P.F.C. Jeremiah Gosset, Priv. Paul Janowski and Priv. Charles Howell, all Searcians serving in the 39th Brigade.

Cars and trucks were labeled with signs including "Current Educators" and "Retired Educators" announcing the passengers riding within. Al Dandredge Sr. of Kensett rode a motorcycle. Five members of the Searcy Tae Kwon Do School marched in their uniforms.

As the parade drove forward, Alderwoman Ella Watson of the Kensett City Council, spoke of how Kensett's Black community succeeded in renaming a street after Martin Luther King a year and a half ago.

"The street is the main drag within the Black community," said Watson.

The renaming process involved submitting a petition to city council, said Dandredge who helped lead the effort.

The parade traveled up Spruce Street, around the western side of the courthouse, and continued along Spring Street until ending at Spring Park.

Searcy police blocked traffic for the parade. Although some paraders walked, most rode in cars and trucks.

About two dozen people stood along Spring Street watching.

"It makes me feel good to recognize all that Blacks have accomplished over the years," said one bystander, Jacqueline Jones, who is a published poet.

"Everybody has been supportive of me. I wanted to support them," said Janet Flath, who followed the parade's course along the sidewalk.

"This year there were about 20 vehicles. Next year there will be a 100," said Jeanette Williams at the fellowship.

Friday night's program at the Carmichael Center drew a crowd of over 70 people.

"At this time of year we pause in gratitude for those who brought us here by their leadership," said Pastor Cedric Smith in an opening prayer.

Three members of the Daughters of Thunder, the first Black praise team in White County, performed a piece entitled "Grateful." Rashanda Cannon, Desire White and Jasmine Pickers, all from Bald Knob, were the performers.

Black History Month started as Negro History Week, first organized in 1926 by historian Carter Woodson, said Carrie Ann Washington. Woodson chose that month as the time of year for celebrating Black history because of the February birth dates of President Lincoln and abolitionist Frederic Douglass.

Washington was the second Black woman to graduate from Harding, which she did in 1966. Washington, now retired, taught for 44 years in Searcy schools. She began her teaching career at the White County Training School which, when integrated, became Southwest Middle School. She taught for 36 years at McRae Elementary.

"I am grateful to be a part of a celebration about us, about us," began Artee Williams, Director of the Arkansas Employment Security Department, who was the program's guest speaker.

Williams spoke of the biography of the Black architect Julian Francis Abel, born in 1881, who designed much of the gothic styled West Campus at Duke University.

"In 1993, I did not know that building was designed by one of my brothers," said Williams of the Duke University Chapel. It was not until the 1980s that Abel's name received the attention that it deserved, said Williams.

"How many other contributions have gone unnoticed?" asked Williams.

Williams closed by exhorting the audience: "Make a great contribution in White County, in Searcy."

Before the program's end, over a dozen audience members rose and named their accomplishments as Black pioneers in different professions throughout Searcy, White County, and Arkansas.

"I am the first Black postmaster or officer-in-charge in Searcy, Des Arc, Helena, Harrison; McKenzie, Tennessee and Corinth, Mississippi," said Joe Lovelace.

"I am the first Black assistant manager at Family Dollar on Race Street," said Jacqueline Arnold.

"I am the first Black manager of the Arkansas Employment Security Deparment in Searcy," said Jeanette Williams. "

"I am the first Black in Arkansas to be a director of regional marketing and management at Enteprise Rent-a-Car," said Charles Blakely.