Sometimes, when newspapers and the nightly news offer account after depressing account of wars, car bombings, natural disasters and automobile fatalities, it takes a child to put life back into focus and re-instill a sense that everything’s going to be all right.
Whitney Miller, a second grader at Sabin Elementary School, accomplished that with an essay written for the seventh annual Family Extravaganza presented by Lift Every Voice Inc. She wrote about experiencing Black History Month with her grandmother and expressed wisdom beyond her tender years in describing how her family got to where it is today.
“My Granny and I read lots of books about important people like Aunt Clara Brown, George Washington Carver, and Harriet Tubman,” Whitney wrote. “The Olympics were going on and I read about (track star) Flo-Jo. We talked a lot about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and I marched in the Marade. In school we learned about connections. I learned about slavery, that is, when people are owned by someone else. The slaves were not treated well, they worked all the time and some were beaten up by their masters. Lots of bad things happened to them, but they stuck together.
“My family connections started with slavery, also. In the 1900s my great-grandparents worked hard, went to school and sent my Granny to college. My Papa and Granny graduated from college, got good jobs and sent my Mommy to college. My Papa tells me I must get an education and be a good citizen. My parents and grandparents take me to places where I have fun and learn things.
“Most of the time I am happy, but when Aunt Inez died I was sad. I learned that God wanted her in Heaven.
“My family is a mixture of races: Indian, White and African. I have been taught to love all people. My friends are of all colors (and) we look out for each other like the slaves did.”
Whitney was one of the children and adults honored at a standing-room-only ceremony coordinated by Robbie Bean and held at New Hope Baptist Church. She is the daughter of Nicholle Miller-McConico and George Miller, and the granddaughter of Donald and Jackie Graves.
The evening was dedicated to the memory of Bill Roberts, a founder of the sponsoring Lift Every Voice Inc. Before his death in 2005, Roberts had served as a Denver City Councilman, manager of public works, deputy mayor of Denver and owner of Empire Construction Co. His brother, Charles, was a founding member of Lift Every Voice and serves on its board. His widow, Sandra, volunteered as the organization’s administrative assistant, a role that has been assumed by their daughter, Jada.
Richard Chavez, president of the Regional Transportation District board, captured the essence of his longtime friend by pointing out that “Bill was a man who never turned anyone away. He always looked for – and found – the good in a person.”
Sandra Roberts accepted a commemorative plaque from Chavez, then enjoyed the remainder of the evening with her daughter, granddaughter, brother-in-law and son, Bill Roberts Jr.
Glenda Barry was mistress of ceremonies; award presenters included Judy Orecchio, Deacon Jo McDonald Smith; Fannye Belle Evans; Kathleen Gilbert-Macmillan and the Rev. Katherine Farley. Ushers came from New Hope Baptist Church, Park Hill United Methodist Church, Scott United Methodist Church and Zion Baptist Church, while event planners included Dorothy Deadwiler, Cora Fishburn, Vivian Bean-Haynes; Verna Jackson, Rosa Nelson, Leah Ware and Lovie Young.
Music is an important part of the celebration, and selections this year were by the Combined Mass Children’s Choir, which was made up of youngsters from Abundant Life Baptist Church, New Hope Baptist Church, Park Hill United Methodist Church and Zion Baptist Church; the Colorado Mormon Chorale and 8-year-old Marissa Murdock, whose solos, “Amazing Grace” and “His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” were rewarded with standing ovations. The Mormon Chorale was tutored by music teacher Bennie Williams for its electrifying rendition of the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Forty-one families were recognized; no two were alike in composition or structure, but each had distinguished itself in its devotion to education, faith and togetherness.
“They hold high standards and values, all of which were maintained through lots of ups and downs,” presenter Fannye Evans noted.
The honorees included the Godoy family, whose daughter, Rosalinda, is valedictorian of her Manual High School graduating class and the recipient of a full scholarship to the University of Denver; Pastor Kenneth and Charmaine Wilson from Refuge Temple of Light; Richard and Connie Spencer, the parents of 12 and leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; East High School principal Kathy Callum; and NBA basketball star Chauncey Billups and family.
VIP guests at the celebration included Denver City Councilwoman Marcia Johnson; former council member and current mayoral staffer Allegra “Happy” Haynes and her mother, Anna Jo, director of Mile High Montessori Early Learning Center; Menola Upshaw, president of Denver chapter of the NAACP; and Larry Borom, chairman of the black education advisory council for Denver Public Schools.
The happy occasion concluded with refreshments in the New Hope Family Life Center, served by the church Women’s Missionary Society.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
