 — Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, PhD National President | The Links, Incorporated | In February, I had the honor of speaking at the Selma (AL) Chapter’s 26th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast. I have visited Alabama numerous times in my life, but never Selma, and for my first visit to Selma to be in celebration of our civil rights icon was more than powerful. As I told the event’s attendees, in many ways, I felt as though I was standing on holy ground. To be in that historical southern city, in the shadow of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, and in the memory of the bloodiest of Sundays, one could feel the spirit of struggle and the essence of sacrifice by those who strove so hard for freedom. I share my Selma experience during Black History Month, a time dedicated to honoring the elders and celebrating our achievements, to remind us of the battles fought, the road ahead, and the hope I see on the horizon. As we move through the coming months and recognize those who have helped us triumph, let us not forget to celebrate the leaders and sheroes in our midst, in our neighborhoods, in our communities, and in our chapters. |
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 Unfortunately, too many older adults are hungry, alone, and desperate to maintain the independence of staying in their homes. For these people, Meals on Wheels (MOW) is a godsend toward satisfying that goal. Many housebound seniors are challenged by chronic illnesses and limited mobility. Consequently, preparing meals is a daunting chore. Drivers for MOW deliver 1,400 nutritious meals to these homes throughout the county daily. Individuals with disabilities that make normal activities harder, regardless of age, are also eligible for this service. Bekki Schmitt, Information and Outreach Coordinator for the Milwaukee County Department on Aging, administrator for MOW says, “We know that this need will continue to increase with the growing senior population. Aging Outreach conducted to determine the number of potential candidates in Wisconsin needing support services revealed that — 320,958 seniors are isolated and live alone; 142,379 are threatened by hunger, and 313,406 seniors live near poverty. Older adults who are physically able can enjoy lunch at the following senior centers —Clinton Rose, Kelly, McGovern Park, Washington Park, and Wilson Park in Milwaukee County. The suggested donations a hot meals is $3.00. 1220 W. Vliet Street, Suite 300 | Milwaukee WI 53205 | Phone: 414.289.6874 | Toll-Free 1-866-229-9695.
 Corey Lamar Adams, center, sits surrounded by a shield of love, his family—his brother Curtis, father Johnnie, with his mother Gwen and sister Carmen. Sitting in their living room, Gwen and Johnnie Adams recounted the nightmare of their son’s disappearance for 18 days. The cause of his death remains a mystery compounded by the fact that his family was never allowed to see his body.
Shaking her head in disbelief Gwen explained, “Our prayer is that no other family will have to go through the nightmare that we have.” Berniece and George Tillman Sr. pose with their son Hollywood writer, producer and director George Tillman, Jr. at a reception in his honor prior to screening of his latest movie “The Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete” at the fifth annual Milwaukee Film Festival.
Explaining her son’s extraordinary success Mrs. Tillman says, “It’s all by the grace of God. My husband and I taught our children to do their best, put their all into whatever they do and always be respectful of their teachers. We tell George especially no matter what you do, just keep your standards. Whatever you get involved in should have meaning and somebody should learn from it.” It’s that time again, time to gather with those we love and repeat the valued traditions that affirm who we are, who we belong to and what is genuinely important.
African Americans have always honored the traditions of family, food, song and spirituality. So Thanksgiving and Christmas are ripe with memories that bridge our past to the present. Traditions bind families and friends, creating a connectedness that transitions even life itself. Experts say that it is also during these activities that family beliefs and values are transferred as children witness the importance of friendship, unity and sharing. |
WriterLinda J. Concroft Archives
May 2021
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