By Charos Lewis-Goodman
The George L. Stevens Senior Center was filled with heart and soul on Friday, February 13th as the community gathered for its 20th annual Black History Month celebration. Guests adorned in ethnic attire or festive red and white. This year’s theme—“Heart and Soul: A Celebration of Black Health, History, and Humanity” was a collaborative venture between UC San Diego’s Black Women Inflammation & Tau Study (BWITS) led by Dr. Michelle Jackson and the Fourth District Seniors Resource Center (FDSRC).
The program opened with a poignant reading of A World Without Black People by FDSRC Executive Director, Rosemary Pope set against a backdrop of artifacts created by Black inventors. Vocalist Francine Dewitt Haynes, set the tone with a sing-along of the Black National Anthem and her rousing rendition of the Negro spiritual “Give me Jesus”. Pastor Nate Stewart of Greater Life Church followed with a powerful message on love, legacy, faith, and the shared responsibility of community—a highlight that deeply resonated with attendees.
A Heart of Gold Award was presented to nine “seasoned” residents in recognition of their dedication, generous spirit and unwavering contributions to the FDSRC community. Honorees included: Mrs. Ardelle Matthews (95 ½ years young), Mr. Herbert Argrow (89 ½ years), Mrs. Betty Stewart (92 ½ years), Mrs. Jamie Polk (89 ½ years), Mrs. Beverly Henry (81 years), Levana Bradley (80 years) and Ms. Sheila Shaw (79 years).
Guests enjoyed a savory soul‑food luncheon, featuring collard greens harvested from local community gardens, adding a meaningful farm‑to‑table touch to the celebration.
The festivities continued with lively line dancing led by instructor Ed Griffith, bringing energy and movement to the room. A special moment came with the presentation of the Heritage and Humanity Award to DJ John Phillips, honoring his five decades of contributions to the radio broadcasting industry. The program also included an informative session titled “Memory Matters: Normal Aging vs. Early Dementia Warning Signs,” facilitated by Joy Stradford of UCSD, offering valuable insights into cognitive mental health.
The afternoon concluded on an uplifting note with an interactive cognitive activity, inviting guests to use music as a bridge to recall and share cherished memories—an engaging and heartfelt end to a day dedicated to honoring Black history, health, and community.
Heartfelt gratitude to the FDSRC Board of Directors, Seasoned Ambassadors, and the culinary team for transforming the celebration into a golden link in a chain of memorable and successful events.
The Fourth District Seniors Resource Center is a proud 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions from corporations, employees, vendors, and local or international unions allow us to continue creating programs and events that enrich the lives of seniors in our community. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation payable to “FDSRC”.
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