Black History Month celebration presents positive, inspiring message

March 8, 2021 | 12:10 am

Updated March 7, 2021 | 10:24 pm

The Hill We Climb event

Sunday’s “The Hill We Climb” Black History Month celebration was filled with inspiration along with positive music and energy. Held as a drive-in event in the Owensboro Sportscenter parking lot, families watched the live program on a big screen and listened through their car radios to messages of unity and hopefulness for the future. 

Owensboro High School senior and Kaysia Harrington started Sunday night’s program off by reciting “The Hill We Climb” before Chaun Paulk sang a beautiful rendition of “A Change is Gonna Come” in a solo performance that had the crowd honking their horns in appreciation. 

Judge-Executive Al Mattingly was presented the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award by the Rev. Larry D. Lewis of Zion Baptist Church, who commended Mattingly for his hard-fought efforts in pushing for the Confederate statue’s removal from the Daviess County Courthouse lawn. 

“He is what you call a servant of the city who serves his city well, who does not mind trying to bring people together, no matter their race, color or gender,” Lewis said of Mattingly. “Your work is very much appreciated. We know the ground he held [in voting to have the statue removed] and he did not give up and did not give in.” 

Mattingly told the crowd he didn’t feel deserving of the honor after hearing the names of those who’d won the award in years past, but he thanked Lewis for bestowing him the award all the same. 

“We’ll try to make this a place where everyone can come to live, and work, and raise a family, and retire with dignity,” Mattingly said. 

Five others — Richard Brown, Monroe Griffith, Tommy Howard, Dwight McFarland and Samuel Tandy — received The Rev. George E. Riley on the Battlefield Award, presented by the Men’s Mass Community Choir. 

Sunday’s program closed out with a musical performance by Titus Chapman and Friends followed by a speech from K.O. Lewis, who reflected on the words of a hero of his — Muhammed Ali — whose portrait he’d often painted. 

“Ultimately, a man who would say, ‘I am the greatest’ — these words are not out of ego, but an intentional need to affirm daily that one must be great. That one must take risks. That one must prepare to achieve and exceed the expectations of today. That one must solidify their conviction to face challenges with an unwavering focus,” Lewis said. “One must be willing to sacrifice their own personal gains to achieve their greater goal.” 

March 8, 2021 | 12:10 am

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