The Bridge 2/26

Tabernacle Baptist Church Black History Forum celebrates 41 years in Beaver Falls

"Lift Every Voice and Sing" rang triumphantly as dozens of attendees sang the Black National Anthem in a Baptist church on Second Avenue in downtown Beaver Falls.

“My mother, Clara Mae Cox, in 1985 had a vision for this event,” said Lonzie Cox Jr. as his fingers moved along the keys of an organ. Since his mother's passing, Cox and Linwood Alford Sr. have continued the vision of bringing people together to honor Black history.

For 41 years, the Annual Tabernacle Baptist Church Black History Forum has brought in historians, musicians, leaders and more to honor and celebrate the creativity, ingenuity and leadership of Black Americans historically, but to also showcase the many Black leaders in our communities.

This year’s speaker was Cathryn “CC” Calhoun, who is the director of education and community engagement at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in Pittsburgh. Calhoun shared about Wilson’s life and legacy as a renowned playwright.

Attendees included local leaders like Beaver Falls Mayor Dr. Kenya Johns, U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, Beaver County judges Kim Tesla and Richard Mancini and many community and church members.

Words by Dani Brown. Photos by Christopher Padgett.

"We Are The Movement" event at Lincoln Park on Thursday

Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Midland will host its annual Black Student Union Showcase at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26 at the school, 1 Lincoln Park, Midland. This year's event is grounded in the intricacies of the Black diaspora.

Purchase tickets here.

Documentary project "Black Aliquippa" to screen on Friday

A new project by The Genesis Collective will focus on preserving and honoring the voices of Black residents in Aliquippa. The event, which is at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Uncommon Grounds Cafe, 380 Franklin Ave., Aliquippa, will feature a short documentary and information about the Black Aliquippa project, including the vision behind it and why preserving the stories of older generations matters.

"Black Voices" event at Geneva College on Friday

Geneva's Black Student Union will present an evening celebrating Black excellence with performances of song, poetry, dance and testimony. "Black Voices" is from 7 to 9 p.m. at the college's Skye Lounge, 3200 College Ave., Beaver Falls.

Catered food will be provided.

Aliquippa wins first place — again! — in Pittsburgh essay contest

Carriona Ellis, 18, a senior at Aliquippa Junior-Senior High School, won first place at the Eighth Annual Black History Month Summit Essay Contest in Pittsburgh.

"I love writing and I was excited about the opportunity to write about Carter G. Woodson," Ellis said. "The stories I learned about are so inspiring. There are so many people out there who did so much for us."

This is Aliquippa's fourth year winning first place, said Yolanda Meade, Aliquippa 11th-and 12th-grade history teacher.

The summit was hosted by Stop the Violence Pittsburgh and is sponsored by the Heinz Endowments, PPG, the Pittsburgh Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, American Eagle Outfitters Foundation and the Elsie H. Hillman Foundation.

Photo from Facebook, used with permission.

"Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom" on PBS

Resident Kathleen Bruno recently watched "Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom" on PBS in honor of Black History Month. She said Tubman was a "woman of valor, conviction and strength" and highly recommended the film.

Watch the documentary here.

Black Appalachian Coalition: "We Inherited A Movement"

Black Appalachian Coalition has dozens of videos and interviews related to Black history. This video explores the history of modern civil rights organizing.

Watch the full video, and check out more of Black Appalachian Coalition's work on their Substack here.

February marked three years since East Palestine train derailment; new health study announced

February 3 marked three years since a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Since then, residents have been searching for answers to ongoing health concerns that many believe have been overlooked by health officials.

On the anniversary of the derailment, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at The Way Station to officially open the new East Palestine Train Derailment Health Research Program.

The office will serve as the center for enrollment, research coordination, community meetings and ongoing engagement between scientists and the people most affected by the disaster.

The program is funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in partnership with the University of Kentucky, University of Pittsburgh and Yale University.

The East Palestine Health Research Program is designed to "track potential health effects associated with chemical exposure from the derailment, including respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and cancer-related outcomes," according to a press release from the University of Kentucky. The studies will follow residents over time and create "one of the most comprehensive community-based environmental health investigations ever conducted following a rail disaster," the website reads.

On Feb. 2, the research program held a community event at the East Palestine High School. The event included information about the study, a time for questions from community members and a short film by RiverWise, who is creating a feature-length documentary to capture the ongoing stories of residents impacted by the derailment.

To see what RiverWise has created to date, visit their East Palestine storytelling website here. To learn more about the study, and to participate, click here.

Words by Dani Brown. Photos by Sally Maxson. Film by Christopher Padgett.

Nominations are open for Outstanding Women in Beaver County!

Nominees will be featured in our March edition, which will celebrate Women's History Month. To nominate an incredible woman you know and admire, fill out the Google Form here. Or, email us at [email protected].