Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Feb. 13, 2014, edition 1 / Page 8
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I ? Photos by Todd Luck Attendees and participants march around the church's parking lot Sunday. Above: Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church Step Team performs. ? Right: Rapper Mr GP does his thing. Hoodies frotft page Al negative undertones and may have led Zimmerman, who beat second degree murder and manslaughter charges last year, to see Trayvon as a threat. Those on the other side counter that Trayvon was like far too many young black men - labeled armed and dan gerous when more often than not neither is the case. The march ended when the walkers made their way into the sanctuary to wit ness and take part in the service, which was organ ized by Emmanuel's Youth Ministries. The program featured song, dance and spoken word, with many of the per formers using their art to make a statement about the injustice they feel Trayvon and many - other young blacks are dealt. Brief ser mons were delivered by Larry Brown, Michelle Butler, Chelsea Yarborough and Love' Lemon, all of whom are current Wake Forest University School of Divinity students or candi dates. "What brings us here this afternoon is to com memorate the lives of those young minorities who lost their lives to injustice," said Brown, who serves as a congregational intern at Emmanuel. "And not to just commemorate their lives but what brings us here is to reclaim our own so that America knows in our community there is much work to be done," Yarborough said the tragedy of the Martin case still hangs heavy, two years later. "Sometimes in situa tions like the one we're remembering today, it's hard to see God," said Yarborough. who serves as a ministerial intern at Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church "(It's) a case that literally made and still makes some of us sick." Controversy still con tinues around Zimmerman He has had numerous run-ins with the law since being released from jail after his acquittal. Before Sunday's service, he had tentatively been scheduled to fight rapper DMX in what was being billed as a "celebrity" box ing match. Though that tight was called off earlier this week after the promot er claimed he and his fami ly received death threats, a new promoter claimed this week to be scheduling a new non-celebrity match for Zimmerman, with prof its going to the Trayvon Martin Foundation. Butler said it was a dis grace to be in a society where killing a young man with skittles and iced tea gets you on celebrity boxing matches." Brown agreed, as he also decried the match from the pulpit. "Do you see that Zimmerman's blood spilled in a celebrity boxing match will not quench the thirst for justice?" said Brown. Lemon said there is injustice all around. She cited inadequate public schools, violence taking the lives of African Americans and the disproportionate number of black men in jails and prisons. "Watching the news, I understand the many chains that still must be broken," she said. Emmanuel Pastor Dr. John Mendez delivered a sermon - "A Hoodie Without a Face" - shortly after Trayvon's death He hopes the church's services will help people continue to remember who Trayvon Martin was. "And by us commemo rating his life we continue to put a face inside that hoodie," he said. "He's no longer invisible; he is no longer unknown, but he, in fact, has a real human face that s made in the image and likeness of God." Performers included spoken word artists Damond Gaither and broth ers Elijah Pone and Michael Hauser Jr., gospel rappers Mr. GP and E Jay Chandler, poet Wyenter Troy, singer Tamaya Amette and Brian Cager, who recited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream." The Greater Cleveland Avenue Christian Church Step Team, the Emmanuel Youth Liturgical Dancers and Tots, the KB Mime Ministry and Testimony Mime Ministry's William Furches also performed. E Jay Chandler performs. Dr. John Mendez speaks. All Star from page A / "It was a good feeling," he said of being among the 75 students from across the nation selected for the program. "It did n't really hit me until the next day that I'd been selected and how much this means to myself and my family and my school ... I enjoy being an example and showing what is possible, and that's what the mission (of HBCU All Stars) is all about." Shakera Fudge and Leon White of N.C. A&T State University and Jasmine Everett of Bennettt College were the only other TriaH ctnHpnte 11IUU .H I Il.J J'lVIVVU. Dr. Soncerey Montgomery, director of Honors Programs at WSSU, said she was pleased to learn of Guillaume's latest achievement, but not surprised. "Georges is just one of those scholars who you expect to excel and you know he's going to be successful, profes sionally, in his educational endeavors and anything he does," Montgomery declared. "... He excels in all he does, and hp Hnpc thinoc in a ?cnirit nf pypp The All Stars will serve as ambassadors of the virtues of an HBCU education as they exemplify the leadership and commu nity mindedness that are hallmarks of insti tutions they represent. They will be fea tured on the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities Web site and participate in quarterly Web chats with Ivory Toldson, deputy director of the Initiative, and other professionals and take advantage of oppor tunities to network with other All Stars and participate in regional events. "Engaging with the next generation of leaders who will graduate from HBCUs and go on to make meaningful contribu tions to society is crucial to the success of our community, our country and our global competitiveness," said George Cooper, executive director of the Initiative. As an All Star, Guillaume hopes to launch a collaborative program that uses components such as mentoring and tutor ing to strengthen ties between the universi ty and local schools. Montgomery said Guillaume's selection shines a positive light on the university. "It says that we provide quality educa tion for our students and we really take time to nurture them to be leaders and groom them to be All Stars," she said. "He's definitely one of our top-notch stu dents and we're proud of him." Before coming to WSSU. Guillaume says his knowledge of the HBCU legacy was minimal, at best. "I've been pleasantly surprised by the environment and the culture; it definitely is a family environment." related the 22-year old. "...As a student at an HBCU, I was put under the wings of many successful doctors and professors, and 1 don't think that is so easily accessible at mainstream universities." As the son of parents who emigrated from Haiti to the U.S. to give their children a better life and sound education, Guillaume says academics have always been a priority for him and his family. But the talented artist and basketball player aiun t aeciae 10 pursue a career in medicine until late in his high school career. "My senior year is when the earthquake happened in Haiti, so that sort of solidified my interest in medicine, because with the earthquake, there was such a need for doctors," he explained. "1 saw that there was an extreme need, and that pri marily is how you help people ... I thought that it was the most basic level of how you can help ana serve. Guillaume says he plans to use the knowledge he gains as an undergraduate and in medical school to give back to his community, and the world. "One of the things that 1 do want to do is open a medical school in Haiti," said Guillaume, who hopes to spend a year in a service oriented internship in the island nation prior to enrolling in medical school. "I also want to create new or free health clinics in Haiti, but also in Little Haiti in Miami, as well, in underserved communi ties." Wherever he decides to chase his dreams, Montgomery believes Guillaume will go far. "Georges is really goal oriented and results driven. He takes incentive. He likes to see things happen and he makes them happen. He's very persistent and has a ' strong work ethic, too," she noted. "Georges is serious about making a differ ence in the world. 1 just applaud him for having the courage to venture out, and he really wants to use his talents for the greater good." Guillaume credits the university with helping him reach his full potential as an undergrad. "1 really do appreciate these opportuni ties I've had coming from Winston-Salem State." he declared. "In many ways, it's been a second home to me. The faculty, professors and students are one of a kind." Montgomery I1f?nr#?" , ?PPPIIVVilH IJ 4 'III* M |4 J
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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Feb. 13, 2014, edition 1
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