On Saturday, the City of Kissimmee hosted its annual African American Read-In, bringing the community together to the Kissimmee Civic Center to recite authors and speakers in honor of Black History Month. The purpose of the event was not only to remember black history, but stay connected to the community in light of today’s trials and tribulations.
Readers in the Osceola community such as Dr. David Walker, authors Marissa Jay “MJ” White-Quarles, who penned “I Love Your Skin”, Akil O. Smith, author of ALAM Beginnings, Pastor Verian Jeffers, stood on the stage to recite their own books, and famous excerpts such as “The Audacity of Hope,” by Barack Obama, and “Riding the Tortoise A Poem Based on the Life of Zora Neale Hurston.”
Nina Hill, host of the African American Read In, reminded attendees of how important it is to not only remember history, but to involve the next generation as well.
“It’s important to show up for our community,” Hill said. “It shows how far we’ve come in our history. I even challenge all of my young people to participate in events like these and show their talents to us.”
As citizens in the community, it is crucial to stay connected, and one way is through the events hosted by the City of Kissimmee, so that the community can stay motivated to be involved and to spread the word throughout the community. It’s also important to remember our history, so we can move forward to a better future armed with the knowledge of the past.
