The AC Phoenix
February 1999
Page 3
The Nation's Night Of Elegance:
History In The Making
By Darryl Muhammad
It was an event to be etched in the
walls if history. The evening buzzed
with glee, high spirit and exzuberant
enegry. All present were bedecked in the
attire remeniscent of royal elegance:
and it all happened right in
Kemersville N.C.
It was The Nation's Night Of
Elegance sponsored by the Nation of
Islam, an event dedicated to the solidar
ity of the family, education and excel
lence in leadership in the Black commu
nity.
It would be a night to remember with
such special attendees as, John Ray of
Dudley Products, Queen Mother Lea
Faye Mack, Ruth Hopkins, Kenneth
Muahmmad, Mayor-Pro-Tem of East
Spencer, Keith Wilkes football coach of
the state champions Carver High and a
host of others.
The evening began with The Faafiki
African Dance Troop gracefully express
ing the soulful antics of ancient Africa
that inspierd the crowd as they
watched in excitement and anticpation.
The program was chart full of provoca
tive public speakers, spiritual teachers
and educators. Among them was Nation
Of Islam Minister and Greensboro
Representative , Willie Muhammad who
delivered a reviting statement in sup
port of the special and honored guest,
Nation of Islam High School Football
Coach of the year, Keith Wilkes. In a
highly spirited manner he stated, "...our
brother was overlooked.
Sam Davis, one of the assisitant
caoches called me and conducted a tele
phone interview with me about the
team, this conversation sparked the
idea of the "Perfect Cyle Award" because
it was 36 yeasr ago when I was on the
first champinship team which was all
Black and thirty-six years later a all
Black team acheived a 16-0 record. This
feat went virtually uncelebrated by the
media. He did'nt even get an honorable
mention for c oach of the year. But by us
(Nation Of Islam)being on point and in
sink with scripture we recognized him
as the begining of a new cycle and chose
him as our coach of the year." The award
was a fiber glass box with an
engravened plaque on the face. Inside
was a burgundy and football signed by
Nation Of Islam's Representatives and
a designated spot for the signature of
The Honorable Louis Farrakhan.
Nation Of Islam Wintson Salem
Representaitive, Mikal Muhammad did
the honors of introducing the honored
guest. In his presentation he recited a
story that demonstrated the leadership
ability of coach Wilkes which spoke to
his being more than a football coach but
a coach of life, a teacher, and a noble
man."He allowed his defensive coach to
bench the whole first team in one game,
though he may have been a little irritat
ed, and puzzled he
allowed it without
pulling rank and it
proved to be very
favorable. Not only
did they win but
they shut out the
opponents 28-0."
With that on came
Coach Kieth Wilkes.
Humbled by the
whole experience, he
approached the podi
um with humility
and optimism. "As-
Salaam Alaikum," he
uttered with confidence. The crowd with
majority muslims responded with
cheers and the return greeting of,
"Walaikum Salaam!"
"First I would to give thanks to God
for without Him none of this would be
possible...Though I didn't get recognized
by the mainstream, I would much
rather be recognized by my own commu
nity any day! I enjoy it when Black peo
ple come together in peace and harmony
for a good cause. I am just honored
beyond words and I would like to thank
The Nation Of Islam for this opportuni
ty-"
Coach Wilkes went on to cite the
apparent double standard in selecting
Coach Keith Wilkes
and recognizing talented high school
players. He men
tioned that there was
one other team in the
state of North
Carolina that fin
ished with a 16-0 sea
son. Apparently this
team was mostly
white and they were
lavished with
alcalades,state All-
Star selections and
the coach received at
least an honorable
mention for Coach of
The Year. The Carver
High School team was also 16-0 and had
some of the most talented players in
the state, like Shawn Peebles and oth
ers.
"Football is really a white inistitution
and I realize that and they didn't even
acknowledge us and we won the state
championship." Coach Wilkes had the
insight, in light of this, to establish the
first nation wide High School Black
Coaches Asscociation. The night was one
of history making proportion.
The honor and recognition shown to
coach Wilkes that evening was of the
magnitude of any ritzy, high class gala
disgnated for people who acheive high
honrs in any feild of human endeavor.
Also among awards given was the
insightful "Perfect Cycle Award" attrib
uted to the football players by the
Nation of Islam. "This is the only place
in America you can receive an award
with such name and such profound
implication as it represents the rise of
the oppressed as they make a perfect
life cycle," said Minister Willie
Muhammad as he presented it to the
championship team.
In addition to this. Queen Mother Lea
Faye Mack, the Mother of Faithful, a
long time leader and activist in Winston
Salem was equally as honored when she
received the "Life Time Achievment
Award" for her undying commitment
and dedicated service to the Black com
munity. As usausl. Mother Mack dazzled
the crowd with her spiriual sentiments,
thunder-bolt statements of correction,
love and family solidarity. Also in a breif
apperence at the podium, Ruth
Hopkins, Administrative Director of
Carter G. Woodson School challenged
the crowd to take charge of their chil
dren's education and teach them the
truth of Black heritage.
Overall, it was night that will live in
the minds and hearts of all who were
present as they carry this experience
with them through life inspired by bold,
courageous, noble leadership and a new
since of racial sobdarity
2oi
Salute Black
History!
History ^X^rtli Repeating
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