LAUREL HILL — Step aside, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Beyonce, because North Okaloosa will recognize local residents for Black History Month.
City Council hopeful Mary Bradberry invites North Okaloosa residents to a Black History Tea scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
It is important for younger generations to recognize local role models, Bradberry said.
"I'm trying to get our children to realize that there are role models here in the community. They don't have to look up to basketball players and movie stars," she said.
So residents will learn about people like Mt. Zion Deacon Vizell Robbins, who became Laurel Hill's first African-American mayor in 2008.
Understanding local black history isn't something you can find on a television program, but these people's achievements should be known, Tommie Lewis, the church's pastor, said.
"There have been a lot of African Americans who have made contributions in our area," he said.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Black History Tea and dinner
WHEN: 7 p.m. Feb.27
WHERE: Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 3831 New Ebenezer Road, Laurel Hill
COST: Free
CONTACT: Mary Bradberry, 652-1936
EmailNews Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitteror call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Black History Tea offers chance to recognize local role models, organizers say