Dr. Edison Jackson, president of BCU guest speaker for Mount Hermon AME Homecoming 2014
By Margarette Hayes
Mt. Hermon AME Church, Fort Lauderdale will celebrate Homecoming 2014, Feet 2 Ur Faith, in recognition of the first graduating class of Dillard High School (Class of 1938). This celebration will be held beginning Thursday, Sept. 18 – 21, 2014.
The weekend includes a VIP reception at the Old Dillard Museum on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014, from 6 to 8 p.m.; on Saturday, from 12 to 2 p.m. a luncheon honoring the alumni from the classes of 1938-1952 and Sunday morning celebration service at 10:30 at Mt. Hermon Family Life Center, 401 N.W. Seventh Terr., Fort Lauderdale. Rev. Henry E. Green, Jr. is the pastor.
Mt. Hermon, the second oldest African American Church in Fort Lauderdale, was founded in 1906. Our Homecoming 2014 event this year recognizes the profound impact of one of our founding members Annie T. Reed who was the housekeeper of Frank Stranahan, the founder of the City of Fort Lauderdale.
Reed epitomized our 2014 theme: “Feet 2 UR Faith”. She observed the deplorable conditions that existed for Black students in 1923 and convinced Frank Stranahan to donate the land for the “Colored “children to have a school of their own. The school, built in 1924, graduated the first senior class of Dillard High School in 1938.
The 1938 graduating class held their first commencement at Mt. Hermon AME Church. All living graduates of Dillard High School from 1938-2014 are invited to attend worship services at Mt. Hermon Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Edison Jackson, President of Bethune Cookman University, a renowned Historically Black College University (HBCU).
Tri-county chapter alumni of Bethune Cookman as well as tri-county members of Dr. Jackson’s Fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma and their affiliated Sorority, Zeta Phi Beta will be in attendance.
Mt. Hermon is pleased to host this historic 76 year recognition of educational excellence at Dillard High School and the story of Connection, Caring and Courage as an ordinary woman did an extraordinary thing and changed the course of history for all of Fort Lauderdale. The public is invited to attend.
For additional information contact V. Elaine Stevens, Homecoming 2014 Chairman at (954) 579-6951 or contact the Mt. Hermon at (954) 463-6309.
