Washington D.C. Temple Celebrates
Black Heritage Month
KENSINGTON, Maryland — On three
February weekends during the traditional Black History Month
celebrations, Black members of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) will speak, teach,
and perform at the Washington, DC Temple Visitors’ Center
in Kensington, Maryland.
All events are free.
Former NFL Raiders superstar
Burgess Owens and his wife, Josie, will share their inspiring
experiences with messages for all ages: “Can You Be Spiritual
and Succeed in the World.”
Ahmad S. Corbitt, President
of the Cherry Hill, New Jersey Church Stake (diocese) covering
South Jersey, will share his experiences as a convert and
his rise in leadership in the Church. He serves as Director
of the Church’s New York Office of Public and International
Affairs.
Bernard Balibuno, a Hutu/Tutsi,
who is program officer, Institute for Reproductive Health,
Georgetown University, will also speak.
A family history workshop on
Afro and African-American research for anyone interested
in tracing their genealogical roots will be held. (See
below for times and topics)
Sam Warren, a member of the
original “Drifters” musical group and a recent convert to
the Church from the DC area, will perform.
Alvin Jackson, bishop of the
Kensington, Maryland Ward, formerly a Boeing Company director
of legislative affairs, and manager of governmental affairs
for the General Aviation Manufacturers’ Association, basketball
player and coach, will speak on the topic “Why I Believe”
(in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
Also performing is the DC Shiloh
Baptist Church’s Wallace Charles Smith Fellowship Ensemble
under the direction of Marvin A. Ford and Para Palmore.
The Visitors’ Center will display
local, historical and international Black history artifacts
and collages. Movies revealing the lives of some of the
original and contemporary Black members, from Gladys Knight
to Black Mormon pioneers, will be shown.
Betty Cannon is Coordinator
for the Black Heritage Celebration, with the assistance
of her husband, Mark Cannon, former Administrative Assistant
to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger.
Schedule of Events
February 12, 2006, Sunday
7:00 p.m.
