The Marjorie Luke Theater was alive with worship and celebration during its sixth Annual Black History Month Kickoff on January 31.
The yearly event, telecasted live around the world, was sponsored by Visions of Hope, which was founded by Phillip Pipersburg, a resident of Santa Barbara since 1968. Through a vision from God, Phillip established “Visions of Hope” in 2010 to bring the community together in unified worship.
The theme this year is “Hollowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories.” Visions of Hope recognized people who impacted local history in the tri-counties. The honorees included Dr. Gabriel McCurtis (also guest speaker), Dr. Robert and Mrs. Louise Hammond, Mr. Neil Wright, Mrs. LaRita Joice (Ayers) Montgomery, Ms. Peggy Hunt, Ms. Ashley Reese, Ms. Katrina Emilyn Dixon Guron, Ms. Shirley E. Davis Hammons, Mr. Calvin Keith Mass, Ms. Margaret Young, and Ms. Willie Riley.
The Visions of Hope worship celebration began with prayer and scripture by Rev. Carlos Speights from New Trinity Community Church in Oxnard. Deacon Lawrence Lee from New Trinity served as emcee. Ms. Shirley Hammons from New Friendship Church in Santa Barbara led the attendees in the Negro National Anthem, followed by a reading of the African American History Month theme by UCSB graduate student, Ms. Lois Harmon, from South Coast Church in Goleta.
Troy Barner from St. Paul AME Church in Santa Barbara sang “How Great Thou Art,” and the youth choir from St. Paul Baptist Church in Oxnard, led by Director Shalimar Taylor, performed as well as the Rev. Darrell Tullis of New Beginnings Baptist Church in Lompoc.
The Rev. George Brooks of Bethel Church of God in Christ introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Gabriel McCurtis from Unity Christian Fellowship Church of God in Christ in Oxnard. The Rev. McCurtis is the founder of Total Man International Network Inc., a nonprofit organization assisting needy people in third world countries.
The celebration continued with a tribute to Mahalia Jackson by Wendy Sims Moten from St. Paul AME. Also, young singers, Iyana Brown and Taylor Flores, from New Friendship Baptist Church in Santa Barbara shared their rendition of “I Was There.”
