Dr. Randy Kelley Speaks at HSV BIG Black History Program & Potluck Dinner

February 23, 2024 - The BIG Huntsville-Madison County Chapter community came out to socialize, eat and celebrate Black History Month at the Madison County Commissioner's Office.  

The evening began with a welcome from HSV BIG member Dr. Kelly Brinson and shifted into the Chapter singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing".  Members savored great food celebrating the rich heritage of Black/ African American cuisine, while answering trivia questions on some of the lesser-known makers of U.S.  history.
 
Our featured speaker, Dr. Randy Kelley of Lakeside United Methodist Church, spoke on the Chapter’s theme of " African Americans and Voter Suppression - Impact on Our Future, Our Vote" and importance of voting.  Dr. Kelley enlightened members of the post-Civil War Republican Party that supported emancipation and government funded social programs; that Selma’s Bloody Sunday was a precipice to the Civil Rights Act as well as Paulo Frier’s theory and the impact of “learned helplessness”.  

Dr. Kelley ended with an open invitation to Huntsville’s annual Juneteenth event on June 15, 2024, held at Lakeside United Methodist Church, where they say, “Let’s educate while we celebrate!”