Mt. Hermon AMEC honors Dillard High School graduates at ‘Feet 2 UR Faith’ event

Mt. Hermon AMEC honors Dillard High School graduates at ‘Feet 2 UR Faith’ event

By Elaine Stevens

Conditions for Black students were deplorable in 1923 in Fort Lauderdale. One woman of faith decided to take action and trust God. One ordinary woman, Annie T. Reed (Mother Reed), the housekeeper for Frank Stranahan, the founder of the City of Fort Lauderdale, convinced her employer to donate the land to build a school for “Colored” children. The school came to be named Dillard High School. The first senior class graduated at Mt. Hermon AME Church in 1938.

Annie T. Reed was one of the founding members of Mt. Hermon AME Church, the second oldest Black Church in Fort Lauderdale formed in 1906, 108 years ago.  All living graduates of Dillard High School from 1938-2014 are invited to Mt. Hermon AME Church’s Homecoming 2014.  The theme this year is “Feet 2 UR Faith” epitomized by the bold action of a humble woman of Color who believed in Hebrews 11:1.

The Homecoming activities will include a VIP reception at Old Dillard Museum, www.broward schools.com/olddillardmuseum on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014, 6 to 8 p.m., a Saturday breakfast honoring Dillard High School alumni from 1938-1952 at Mt. Hermon Family Life Center and a Sunday morning Celebration Service in the sanctuary at 401 N.W. Seventh Terr., Fort  Lauderdale at 10:30 a.m. with dinner being served following morning worship.

The Keynote Speaker will be the distinguished educator Dr. Edison Jackson, president of Bethune Cookman University, the renowned Historically Black College located in Daytona Beach, Florida.  Alumni chapters of Bethune Cookman in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach are invited to be present to support Dr. Jackson as he electrifies the congregation with truth to power. Dr. Jackson is a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and Mt. Hermon’s doors are open to all Greek organizations including tri-county members of Zeta Phi Beta.

Dillard High School’s 76 alumni classes have the opportunity to pay tribute to a favorite teacher, coach, administrator or classmate by taking a page in the Commemorative Program Book by Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014. Mt. Hermon members are demonstrating their personal commitment to “Feet 2 UR Faith” by each member giving or raising 10x their shoe size with the member that raises the most being crowned Mt. Hermon AME Church 2014 Homecoming King and Queen on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014.

All Dillard High School Alumni Class leaders are encouraged to rally your class-mates to participate in this historic event celebrating 76 years of educational excellence.  Participate in this powerful story of Connection, Caring and Courage that changed the course of history for all of Ft. Lauderdale.

For more information call Mt. Hermon AME Church @ (954)463-6309 or Elaine Stevens, Chairperson Mt. Hermon AME Church Homecoming 2014 @ (954)579-6951.