Friday, February 22nd was a wonderful day in a Camden's City Hall. It was a day to celebrate not only black history, but camden's youth and their talent. Camden's Creative Arts Morgan Villiage Academy performed and every performance was divine in it's own right.
The choir, dance team, jazz band and trumpet chicks all performed and reminded many what today's youth has to the potential to do with support and guidance. Along with the performances there were vendors surrounding the city hall lobby that were there to promote their businesses, collect donations, run raffles and sell their items. One vedor had an array of knitted sweaters, scarfs and jewlery in bright, bold colors. The Carl Miller Funeral Home co-sponsored the event and provided food for a free lunch to all attendees.
When Mayor Frank Moran got up to speak, he spoke of keeping legacy's alive and celebrating the local African American community. As he thanked everyone for joining him in the day's celebration he spoke of the importance of educating our children on our history and instilling hope and promise in them. "I am going to charge with you with this, if we don't invest in our children, the future will not be bright. I am calling upon you once again, to invest...the best thing you can invest in our children is the education and the piece of your mind that can teach them about the struggles."
Mayor Moran's African American Celebration this year focused on the youth and how important it is to mold and guide them. Partcipants got to experience first hand what investing in Camden's youth looks like through the countless breathtaking performances. There was so much talent that filled the room. As portraits of some of the most influential and prominent African Americans sat throughout the room, the connection between the past and present could not be ignored. We must never forget where we came from because if we do, we can never determine who we are and focus on where we are going.
