Allen Chapel AME to Feed the Homeless in Sanford & Honor a Legend

Allen Chapel AME Church will continue the legacy of love that started in the heart of Mr. James “Herb” Baskerville. Eight years ago, Mr. Baskerville felt a tremendous call to serve the homeless and needy of the Sanford community. He asked Pastor Valerie Henry if the church could devote a day to feeding the hungry in the community. Pastor Henry agreed. However, Mr. Baskerville did not live to see his vision come to fruition. He passed away a week before the event would take place. However, Pastor Henry vowed to press on with the vision anyway. They held the “Unity Prayer Breakfast” and have been feeding the hungry every year since. The Eighth Annual Unity Prayer Breakfast will take place on June 26, 2010.

Mr. Baskerville was truly a pioneer and history maker in Sanford. He left and indelible mark on the community, simply because he refused to ignore the call to serve. And he did serve the Sanford community in many ways. He was the first African American car salesman in Sanford. He worked as a salesman for Ford Motor Company for over 35 years. He was a member of Allen Chapel AME for more than 40 years, giving of his time and talents as a steward and as the president of the Allen Chapel Male Chorus. He and his wife, Bernice, have 8 children and 11 grandchildren.

The event will honor the commitment and service of Mr. Baskerville. There will be good food, good singing and a heaping helping of love dished out to the community. The address for Allen Chapel is 1203 South Olive Avenue in Sanford, FL. The event is completely free and open to all. However, I’m sure the church wouldn’t mind donations to help continue the legacy and make the event even bigger in the future. You can call (407) 321-6864 for further details.

Sheriff Jerry Demings Challenges Black Leaders at the Seminole County Florida NAACP Banquet

The first African American sheriff for Orange County, FL, Jerry L. Demings, challenged black organizations to train the next generation. Sheriff Demings delivered the keynote address for the Seminole County NAACP Annual Freedom Fund & Awards Banquet on June 5.

Sheriff Demings and his wife, Valdez Demings, rose from very humble beginnings to the top of their fields. He is married to the first female police chief in Orlando. They both grew up poor and were the first generation of their families to go to college. Sheriff Demings spoke of his father and mother who were a taxi cab driver and maid. He said when he considers where he is now, it only serves to humble him more and remind him of his responsibility.

During his speech, Sheriff Demings made it his task to remind all of those blacks who have risen to the top to lift others as well. He said that most of us make it in spite of our circumstances. It is our moral responsibility to help someone else. Sheriff Demings warned that with the state of many of our communities, if we don’t reach back to help, we all will regret it. Sheriff Demings cited a few alarming statistics. Three-fourths of those in prison due to drug offenses are people of color. In Orange County, blacks make up 19% of the general population but 54% of the inmate population. “Shame on us. Shame on America,” he said.

He also challenged the NAACP audience to consider the delusion young black males have with professional sports. Many believe a contract with the NFL or NBA is their ticket out. Not only is making it to a team highly unlikely, even those who do make it are not necessarily set for life. Sheriff Demings said Otis Smith, General Manager for the Orlando Magic, shared that 68% of NBA players find themselves broke within five years of retiring. The vast majority of black millionaires are entrepreneurs. Therefore, the logical path to economic advancement and empowerment for black people is business and financial training not an obsessive drive toward athletics.

One of the young people that the NAACP has nurtured and supported came back to show the benefit of the NAACP’s work. Angenique DeJesus received a scholarship from the local branch. She is currently a student at the University of South Florida, pursuing a degree in Bio-Medical Sciences. Her goal is to use her talents to serve.

Not only did the audience hear from current civil servants, they paid tribute to local trailblazers and pioneers of the Civil Rights struggle. The Seminole County NAACP Branch held its very first induction into the Seminole County Civil Rights Hall of Fame. Willie King, Francis Oliver, Edward Blacksheare and Sandra Gaines were all inducted for their contributions to educational and political equality in Seminole County. This ceremony will take place every year. Future inductees can be nominated by contacting the branch at (407) 328-7496.