Mount Zion Marches Black History Forward

Voices and spirits were lifted Saturday night during Hamden’s Mount Zion Seventh-Day Adventist Church’s annual Black history celebration.

More than 100 community members packed the church or an evening of songs, poems, speeches and laughs — as well as health screenings and soul food.

The event was first held back in 2007 and organized by Mount Zion Educational Chairwoman Tamara Oputa. It has has taken place the first week of March every year since — because, as one speaker asserted before kicking off the night, ​“Black history does not stop in February.”

“We’re marching forward. Get it? Because it’s March?” Emcee Caysi Morgan joked with his audience. He and his brother, George Morgan Jr., who grew up members of the Hamden church, served as Saturday’s hosts.

After the crowd collectively sang the Black National Anthem, ​“Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Morgans asked the audience to name some Black historical figures whose voices remain resonant today.

“Rosa Parks!” someone shouted.

“Sojourner Truth!” added another. 

“Harriet Tubman,” ​“Booker T. Washington,” ​“George Carver Washington,” more pitched in.

“Nanny of the Maroons from Jamaica!” 

The intergenerational crew, which included performers spanning from age 4 into their 80’s, came together over words and ideas spoken by past and present iconic Black leaders — and offered a space to cultivate engagement among the local leaders of the future.

Youth members Ethan Thomas, Joshua James, Shania Isaac, Arkell Roberts, Adina McCray, John James and Savanna Joyner recited quotes from the likes of Marcus Garvey (“A people without knowledge is like a tree without roots,”) Frederick Douglas (“Once you learn to read, you will forever be free!”), Barack Obama, Septima Clark (“I believe unconditionally in the ability of people to respond when they are told the truth,”) Martin Leslie Cook, and Fannie Lou Hamer.

Meanwhile, older community members recalled full speeches and poems from memory, like Mpilo Norris, who delivered Martin Luther King Jr.’s ​“I Have a Dream,” and Pastor Oliver Archer, who performed Margaret Walker’s poem, ​“For My People.”

Politicians, including Mayor Lauren Garrett and New Haven Alder Darryl Brackeen, also offered a few words.

“Hamden has become more inclusive,” Garrett stated — but to become better, ​“we have to change the way we do things.” There need to be more people of color in public safety and public works departments, she said, as well as town government.

She noted that March is also Women’s History Month — and that all of Hamden’s top offices are held by women. Dominique Baez is the first Black woman to serve as Hamden’s Legislative Council president; Karimah Mickens the first Black town clerk; Melissa Kaplan is president of the Board of Education; ​“And then there’s me,” Garrett said with a laugh.

Brackeen hopped on stage to advertise his exploratory run for secretary of the state, pressing the importance of getting a Black person into a leadership role that defends voting rights.

In addition to displays of excellence by refined vocalists like Jameon Moss and Jessica Cain (watch videos of some of their musical performances below), younger community members, like the 4‑year-old Bella Archer, got the chance to debut their early musical talent, singing African American spirituals like ​“Wade in the Water” alongside their peers.

Other children used the opportunity to act not just as students but teachers, like Amani Kerr and Andrea Harrison, who delivered a presentation on the evolution of Black hairstyles (The Civil Rights Movement saw more women ​“rocking their natural hair,” the pair of teens posited), and Derek Kerr Jr. and Edward Archer, who highlighted the supreme innovative capacity of African Americans (human technological achievement originated in Africa, the duo discussed).

Traffic signals, potato chips, mailboxes, and gas masks were all invented by African Americans, Kerr and Archer enumerated.

The Morgan brothers seamlessly tied over three hours of acts together with lighthearted jokes: George Morgan affirmed Kerr and Archers’ thesis, recounting his younger brother’s inventive spirit — ​“All I know is there was a circuit board, a little smell of smoke and the house didn’t burn down,” he said, ​“So we’re on the right track!”

There were even more laughs — and more learning — to come during the night’s trivia session.

“Which of the following are Black-owned hair care companies?” was one question, with options Shea Moisture and Eco Style. The answer: None of the above.

Another: ​“Which NBA athlete was raised a seventh-day adventist from the age of 10?” The options: LeBron James, Magic Johnson, or Bill Russell.

“I know this one!” organizer Tamara Oputa screamed. ​“Magic Johnson!”

The event was not solely to entertain — though constant cheering, applause, prayer and bubbling laughter from the audience showcased the community’s collective captivation — but ultimately demonstrated mutual education and care.

Cornell Scott Hill Health Center offered a family community wellness clinic between 5 and 7 p.m., offering COVID vaccinations and boosters, blood pressure screenings and flu shots.

The crowd finished the night gathered around steaming hot trays of collard greens, mac and cheese, potato salad, and more.

Church Elder O’Neil Lindo reminded attendees what to take away from the celebration of Black histories as the audience dispersed into the night:

“Challenge like Rosa Parks… Educate like W.E.B. DuBois… and inspire like Barack Obama,” he instructed.

Lindo concluded: ​“Tonight, we celebrate our here, our history — which began in Eden with people of color.”