Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to community view points and Shawnee feeling blessed and
highly favored on this Sunday morning, empowering our sisters in
the community, and of course giving everybody a voice. This
year is all about lifting every voice in the community.
So today I have Opele mentioned she is here to
talk to us about her sorority and an event that
(00:23):
she is very fond of. But first, good morning, Opel,
how are you?
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Good morning, Good morning. Thank you so much for having me.
It's a pleasure to be here with you today.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
You know, Opel, I've known you for over thirty years
and I just wanted to connect with you. We were
at to feed the city where all the Divine Nines
and everybody was volunteering to help feed the city. But
you have a story, so tell the community just a
little bit about yourself and the sorority that you represent.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Yes, I love to My sorority that I'm representing is
Delta Sigma Theta Soborty Incorporated, and I'm so happy to
be here to talk about a little bit about the
sorority and myself. I've been a member of Delta signa
stator for going on twenty six years now. I had
the pleasure of pledging at ever Waters University back in
spring of ninety nine. And I'm telling my age, but hey,
(01:16):
I look good for my age. I think that's a
little bit about my sorority and with the sorority.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
What kind of community work have you been doing with
a sorority?
Speaker 2 (01:25):
With delfa signatator, we are committed to service throughout the community,
internationally and locally. And some of the things we do
or feed the city. We've come out like you spoke
of early, We've come to feed the homeless. We have
worked with different organizations like Infan for feeding families that
(01:46):
are affected by HIV AIDS. We worked with also with
in Fans to feed the homeless, and we work with
Infanta feed Northeast Florida. And this is just a few
things that we do. We try to hold fundraisers for
international schools and it's a part of our seven Sustainability Project,
which falls under our five point thr US with international
(02:07):
awareness and involvement.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Me and d Shawnee speaking to Opele. She's here to
talk to us about Delta Sigma, thetas Crority Incorporated, as
well as what she has experienced in life. So opal.
I know that you have a story and God is
in that story. Talk and tell in just a little
bit about your life to share with the community how
(02:31):
you have come to fruition to today.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
I would love to do that. So my story is
one that's not foreign to women of African American descent.
I was blessed to have a beautiful baby boy almost
thirteen years ago, and just like many women, I was
not diagnosed properly with preclamsia, and because of my diagnose
(02:54):
of being missed with preclampsia, I suffered and had to
have a heart transplant. It took me a while because
of course insurance wants you to go through a certain
flips and turns just to get the things that you need,
and so it took me about seven years to get
a heart transplant a male clinic, which I must say
(03:15):
I had the best care at male clinic, but it
was a lot. I had a long journey. It started
off with a pacemaker, then I had to get a
heart pump and eventually end up getting in heart and
so it was the hardest out time of my life
to have to help my son. I may or may
not be here with him to carry on his life
and to have to say that at eight years old
(03:35):
was one of the most tremendous things I ever had
to deal with. And it's still suffering with that now.
It's still something I have to have to go and
seek treatment for with mental health care. But my son
is doing well and I'm doing well. That's the blessing.
Now life is back to being my normal, but it'll
never be back to being the same. After you have
a heart transplant, if anyone who's ever had one understands,
(03:56):
you have to take commune suppressions and certain medica you
have to take and you cannot mess. Life is teeter
towering on the edge because a lot of times you
have to make sure the medicine does not change or
your body does not change, because the medicine has to
treat your your immune system and keep it on that
certain levels, so I'm susceptible to any type of disease
(04:20):
or virus that might happen because of my immune system
being so weak. COVID was a hard time for me.
I end up catching COVID and thinking if I didn't
died from the heart transplant, well, that I was going
to be passing from COVID. Because I got so sick,
so I think I was going to be here. I
(04:40):
remember saying, God, not like this. We're going to go
through this fight to come to this, and what is
my son going to do? But thank God I did
get through that. I have to be mine for surgeries
that I have or any type of treatment that might
cause my immune system to ramp up, because that sends
me into a tell friend with my health as well.
But I'm blessed I'm here. God is still keeping me
(05:01):
sustaining my family. I had to support of so many
people and my friends. I was born and raised in Jacksonville,
and I tell you between my church family at First
Timothy Baptist Church, my family all throughout the United States,
as well as my sorority Telta Sigma Theta Sorority, and
also my friends that I had the chance to go
to school with the EBBA Waters and it Rains was
(05:23):
so supportive. I mean had a system set up for
everybody to come and visit me or bring me some
needed while I was in the hospital. Sum Soever, thanksful
to all the people who gave a prayer a memory
of a good time we had to share with my
family when they needed that support. I'm just so thankful.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
I remember that Opal and I was praying for you
because we have been friends for a long time. And
fast forward, you are here, You are healthy, and your
family and friends, I know, appreciate all the love that
was bestowed on you. Now that you are here throughout
and surviving and doing great things in the community. Tell
(06:04):
us about the fundraiser that you will be having so
that the community can get involved. It's called I can
Fly intentionally support the Butterfly House. Talk to us about that.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Yes, well, first I want to say the reason why
this is so near, and then in my heart and
my sorority because of everything I went through, I've always
been a person who wanted to give the community. I
didn't know how I could and which way I could,
but I knew once I found out about Delta Sigma
Say at a young age, I knew that was the
sorority for me because of the community service that they're given.
(06:38):
And this is one of many community services that we
work upon. Again, the Butterfly House is near and there.
It's been started by Shake Givens in Kenya, Africa, and
what it does it helps to support children in Africa
that may be suffering like the young ladies that are there.
It helps to stop things like really marriage, rape and
(07:03):
the genital mutilation of young girls at a young age.
So a lot of these kids are going there to
flee those situations and even some of them are caught
appointed to the Butterfly House that have been being to
be unsafe in the home where they are. So we're
giving back so that Shay Givings can build onto the
(07:24):
program she started and to make it bigger than what
it is to house more children because she's running out
of room there. So many kids are coming for her
support that she's running out of room and need to
build on more space to her building.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Opal And how can the community get involved with this?
I understand that you have an event coming up Saturday,
March the eighth at four pm at uf Health Hands.
How can the community get involved, donate and or be
in the building.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Yes, please, if you can donate to us, it would
be so appreciating. And some of the ways that you
can actually support us is by directly. If you know
anyone that is directly in the chapter of the Jackson's
Alumni chapter, you can go to them directly to ask
for a way to donate with them. You can give
it to them directly, or you can go to event
bright where you can go on and get tickets directly,
(08:16):
or you can go through the local chapter. And our
website is Dstjacks dot org and you can go and
get to get our address out there if you don't
remember getting ready to give it to you, it is
PO box two four three five, Jacksonville, Florida three two
two oh three. Again, if you want to donate, you
(08:36):
can go directly to a member of Delta Sumer, say
the local chapter, the Jackson's Alumni Chapter, or you can
give it to us directly in the mail and we
will receive it at PO Box two four three five, Jacksonville,
Florida three two two zero three.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
And Opal I understand I can fly intentionally is to
Bill Liz for a better future the world. It will
happen on March the eighth. Talk to us about the
motivational speaker that will be there.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Community.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
This information is also on our website on the community page,
so you will be able to see this after the interview.
But Opel, if you would talk to us about the
motivational speaker and what they can expect on March.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Eighth, doctor Free the Doxy. She is going to come
and give us a powerful speech about self motivation, how
to come and push yourself further than you push yourself
before ways so we can better ourself in our community
and for things like the Butterfly House, and how these
these community projects are important for the betterment of society.
(09:42):
So also if you get the extra fifteen dollars VIP pass,
you'll get an opportunity to talk to Miss Doxy and
one on one face to face at our VIP section,
and also you'll be able to have food and refreshments afterwards.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Community Shawnee speak to OPO. She is here to tell
us and talk to us about that I can fly intentionally.
Event that's happening with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. It's
an international Awareness and Involvement annual sustainability project fundraiser OPLE.
I know that this is going to be amazing and
(10:19):
it means a lot to you. What does black history
mean to you?
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Oh my gosh, so black history means so much to me.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
I remember as.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
A child and I had an aunt. Her name was Alice,
and she lived in Atlanta, and I was a little girl.
She would come visit when I would go to Making
George to visit my grandparents, and she would come down
to visit you with us, and she would sit and
talk and talk for hours about how she grew up
across the street from Martin Luther King Junior and how
she played with him as a child. So I just
(10:52):
remember at a young age they introduced how important it
was for our community and the leaders of our community.
So I spent a lot of time at her knee
talking about life and what it was like to know him,
and so that pushed me further to want to know more.
And then I found out that Malcolm X was related
to me. So I'm very, very deeply connected with Black
(11:15):
history because I know Black history is our history, and
we have a beautiful history that should be shared. So
a lot of times the greatness of our ancestors is
not shared enough.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
Well, you are a living legacy yourself, young lady. Thank
you so much for your time so much today, Opel.
It has always been a pleasure to help my community,
especially my sisters in the community that are doing good
work and that are coming back after a storm to
show that there is sunshine through it all. Please know
(11:46):
that we've all been praying for you. We all love you,
and you are thank you a light in this community.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Oh Seana anytime. I love you so much and thank
you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
Welcome to community viewpoints and Shannie feeling less and highly favored.
On this Sunday morning, we are empowering our community and
involving the world. Today, I have TC Newman. He is
here from Morgan State University Choir. Good morning, TC.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
Good morning, Sonny.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
How are you today there this morning?
Speaker 3 (12:17):
I'm doing fantastic. I am originally from Maryland and I
attended Morgan State University, which is in Baltimore, and it
is one of the one hundred and six HBCUs. Morgan
actually is the third largest HBCU in the nation. We
(12:39):
now have over eleven thousand students and it's a very diverse.
Even though it's a HBCU. Its website will list its
enrollment as twenty two percent non African American, so it
is growing. It is service need. Morgan was founded in
(13:03):
eighteen sixty seven and it is a Carnegie classed high
Research institution designated R two. And let me briefly tell
you a little bit about that designation. There are about
one hundred and forty six colleges and universities that are
considered R two research that's high research. There are only
(13:30):
ten HBCUs that have that designation. Above that, there's a
designation ARE one very high research. And this is given
to universities based on the amount of research they do,
the amount of grants they get for research, and the
(13:51):
amount of student doctorate degrees they give every year. Just recently,
within the last month or so, Howard University was designated
R one. Morgan and North Carolina A and T are
on the verge of moving to R one very high Research.
(14:13):
Now what does that mean? Why is that significant? There
are only one hundred and forty five universities in the
country that are R one, so it is not a
casual designation. It is very significant. It is millions of
dollars that come into the school because of that designation.
(14:34):
And Morgan is on the verge of becoming an R
one institution. It has over one hundred and fifty academic
programs bachelor level, master's level, and doctorate levels. One more
interesting fact about Morgan State. You will here refer to
a lot as the National Treasure and that is because
(14:57):
the National Trust for Historical Divation, which is empowered to
go around and designate certain buildings that should be preserved
for historical preservation. Well, when they came to Morgan, they
designated and it is the only one with such a designation.
They designated the entire campus of Morgan State University as
(15:22):
a National Treasure. So when you hear people talk about Morgan,
then they'll follow it up with the National Treasure. You'll
know what they're talking about. The school has had over
one billion dollars in new buildings over the last decade.
It is a beautiful campus and it has plans for
(15:45):
another one billion dollars to be built over the next decade,
to include the opening of a medical school on the
campus of Morgan. So that's just a little history about
more very diverse, but it's also a school that, as
(16:06):
I said, I graduated in nineteen seventy two, I probably
don't go a week that I don't have a conversation
with someone that I went to school with. At Board,
you developed lifelong relationships there, very meaningful relationships. Like all
of the HBCUs, it was a caring, nurturing experience. When
(16:31):
I looked around at some of the faculty members there
at the time. They cared about you and they took
care of you. They wanted to make sure that you
were successful in what you did, and they were very
good at it, very good. And as an alumni, I
feel like it's very important to stay involved and to
(16:56):
give back. One of the issues with most HBCUs most
of our alumni don't give back. Give back, either if
your time or your money. They need it, especially in
these times when folks are cutting back everywhere, Folks that
are asking why do they still exist? And HBCUs is
(17:21):
not a dirty word. It is a designation that was
given based on the roles and the historical charter they had.
When I get into conversations people, well, why do we
still have these black universe Well, I said, it's the
same reason that we still have the historically segregated colleges
(17:44):
and universities. It's just a historical designation. It still has
a role about education and it's open to everyone. N. D.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
Shawnie speaking to T. C. Newman, president of the Jacksonville
Well Morgan State University Alumni Association.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
TC.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Understanding that you attended this school, black history is prevalent,
I continue every day of the year. But what does
with your experience Black History Month mean to you?
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Well, it is an opportunity to bring it to the forefront.
But I, like a lot of my classmates along, we
live Black history every day, and unfortunately we had to
create Black History Month to bring it to the forefront. However,
(18:36):
it's something that should be an ongoing part of our education.
It should come to the forefront within families. You got
to know your history and your families. You got to
know your history and your location. You got to know
your history and your schools. Because if you don't know
(18:57):
your history, as it's been said, doomed to repeat it,
good or bad. And there are a lot of things
going on today in our society that if you look
closely at history and you start to wonder, Okay, where
are we going? This seems awful familiar. So Black History
(19:20):
is very important to me. In fact, to the point
I read as much as I can on it. I
went to an HBCU. But I since I travel a lot.
I was in the military, and I travel a lot
in corporate America, and when I had a chance, like
when I'm here in Florida, I adopt one of the
(19:40):
local HBCUs as my HBCU of choice for support. So
I think it's very important that we stay grounded into
the why things are a certain way here in Jacksonville.
Learned a lot about their history since I've been here,
(20:03):
and I have run across a lot of people who
don't fully understand all the things that have happened in
Jacksonville and what our ancestors and relatives had to go
through to get to where a lot of people are today.
Very significant things here in Jacksonville, and that's.
Speaker 1 (20:25):
One of the reasons why when I saw Octavius, your
fraternity brother, post this, I was like, there's history here.
I just need to find someone to talk to and
to get that out. So Community Shawnee speaking to TC
Newman here with us today talking about structure, Black history,
why we should invest in us, but also here to
(20:49):
talk to us about Morgan State University Choir that we'll
be coming to Jacksonville. So tell us about that experience
that we will be experiencing in the month of March
and how the community can get that experience.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Now, I'll get excited because the Morgan State University's world
renowned choir will be here at the south Side Church
of God in Christ on March twenty first, in concert
doing their spring break. I say world renowned and I
have as they say, back up to go with that,
(21:30):
the University Choir has been taking an international trip, usually
sponsored by the country they go to. They're invited because
they've heard about them. Every year for the last fifty
six years, with the exception of the COVID years. They
have been to every continent with the exception of Antarctica,
(21:56):
and the only reason they have been there nobody lives there.
They are truly a great choir. They have over one
hundred and twenty members. When they're performing at home, they
take anywhere from forty to sixty. When they're traveling, they
(22:17):
take a spring break every year. We had them here
in Jacksonville about five years ago, and that's probably the
cycle because every year they go in a different direction.
We're excited to have them back here again and the
performance that they will put on will have a range
of music, a range of music from classical gospel to contemporary.
(22:40):
When they travel internationally, it's one little fact about them.
When they travel internationally, they usually sing one song in
the native language of that country. They've done that every year.
I'm excited to see how they do this year because
they're going to Thailand and that may be a little stretch. However,
(23:00):
they have been to China, so they did it there.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
I'm sure they will be outstanding.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
Outstanding. The free event. We're asking for churches, choirs, families,
youth groups. We're in the South Side Church of Garden
Christ which has a magnificent sanctuary that can accommodate quite
a few people. So we're looking forward to filling up
(23:26):
the place and having you leave saying wow. You go
to the choir's website at www dot MSU choir dot org.
There's a quote from an older lady in Prague when
they visit it there about fifteen years ago. And I've
(23:49):
heard the choir many a time from my days at
Morgan and I've been fortunate enough. I was living in
southern California and I hosted the choir out there when
I was in Corporate America, and that's probably been thirty
years ago, and I've heard them numerous times since then,
(24:09):
and it's amazing how the consistency has been there every year.
It's an art. Folks can sing, A lot of folks
can sing, but when you put them together as a group,
it's something magical about it and that you get everybody
on point all the time. And I guarantee everyone listening
(24:36):
that if you come, you will be amazed.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
Thank you so much. TC. Is there anything else that
you'd like to share with the community.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
Now?
Speaker 1 (24:43):
This event is going to happen at the Southside Church
of God in Christ March twenty first, seven pm.
Speaker 3 (24:51):
Correct, That is correct, and the location is twenty one
seventy nine Emerson Street, Jacksonville, Flora. The zip code to
that is three two two zero seven. And we are
so appreciative of the bishop there who has opened up
his sanctuary for us and the community that has embraced us,
(25:15):
and we we're just excited about this. Just give you
a little bit more about the choir. They sang at
the Championship football game this year for the in Baltimore.
They sang at the Orioles Park this year in Baltimore.
They have sang with CC one and they have sang
with Stevie Wonder. They have been to the White House
(25:40):
and performed for every president except one since Ronald Reagan.
They went there when Ronald Reagan was president, and they
have performed for every president since then except one now TC.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
If there are students in the Jacksonville area that our
singers that would like to understand and see if this
is a school Morgan State University, so that they can
join the choir, how can they on that day get
in touch or is this something that is a process.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
There will be an opportunity after the event to talk
to choir members and to the director of the doctor,
Eric Conway. He's been the director of the choir since
two thousand and four, and as I said, part of
this tour is to get the word out about it.
(26:34):
You don't stay a world class choir without recruiting world
class talent, and world class talent is all over the place.
I'm sure there will be opportunities to find out about
coming to Morgan. In fact, prior to the concert, the
Alumni Association will be there to answer questions. We'll have
(26:56):
a slide show showing some of the buildings events that
have taken place at Morgan, so it will be an
opportunity to network and to find out about this university.
There are quite a few folks here in the alumni
Association who are in fact from Jacksonville who did go
(27:17):
to Morgan, so they'll be there. Answer the question. We
have several current students, quite a few current students from
Jacksonville at Morgan State. If they're home for spring break,
hopefully they'll be there at the concert.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
Also Commandy Shawnee speaking to TC Newman. He is the
president of the Jacksonville Morgan State University Alumni Association, and
as you can tell, he's excited. I'm excited and I
am happy that we are welcoming the choir here to Jacksonville,
just so that we can understand the diversity and the
culture of great music and great talent. And I'm sure
(27:56):
there's great talent in Jacksonville here as well. Is there
anything else that you'd like to share with the community
about being a part of Jacksonville Morgan State University Alumni Association,
as we.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
Are taking advantage of this opportunity too, because every day
we're finding more alumni, and we find them in the
oddest places. You walk into a local venue here and
you have on a Morgan paraphernalia or someone else will
have it on, and of course we will make the
(28:31):
connection and encourage them to get involved. We are actually
statewide alumni association. We meet quarterly via zoom, so you
don't have to be in Jacksonville. But we do have
a objective. We're the first alumni chapter in Florida. We've
(28:51):
been here about twenty some years, but we have an
objective of seeding and starting alumni chapters in the cities.
According to our roles, there are over four hundred alumni
living in Florida now and so we're just trying to
organize and mobilize those individuals. And I heard this recently,
(29:15):
so it's not original. We've been fighting for a seat
at the table for so long when we have our
own table, because that's what HBCUs were. We we built
our own tables, and we need to keep polishing those
tables so that they are still serving our community now
and in the future. I just feel that everybody should
(29:38):
give back, give back what you have. Didn't get here
on my own. Other folks paved the way, and it's
important for us to reach back, whether it's mentoring or
just giving some advice to someone, or just being.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
Available black history. I thought music, we used to sing,
you know, that's what they said. In the olden days.
They used to sing.
Speaker 3 (30:03):
We could go on and on because you know, singing
goes all the way back to our beginnings here in
slavery days. I mean, they signaled each other through singing,
they comforted each other through singing. You know, they uplifted
each other through singing, and that's why it's very important.
Like I say, it's a free event.
Speaker 1 (30:24):
Community, be sure to check out our community calendar page.
We have all the information on these events. Get involved,
stay involved, and be empowered. Thank you for listening to
community viewpoints. Have a blessed day.
Welcome to community view points and Shawnee feeling blessed and
highly favored on this Sunday morning, empowering our sisters in
the community, and of course giving everybody a voice. This
year is all about lifting every voice in the community.
So today I have Opele mentioned she is here to
talk to us about her sorority and an event that
(00:23):
she is very fond of. But first, good morning, Opel,
how are you?
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Good morning, Good morning. Thank you so much for having me.
It's a pleasure to be here with you today.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
You know, Opel, I've known you for over thirty years
and I just wanted to connect with you. We were
at to feed the city where all the Divine Nines
and everybody was volunteering to help feed the city. But
you have a story, so tell the community just a
little bit about yourself and the sorority that you represent.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Yes, I love to My sorority that I'm representing is
Delta Sigma Theta Soborty Incorporated, and I'm so happy to
be here to talk about a little bit about the
sorority and myself. I've been a member of Delta signa
stator for going on twenty six years now. I had
the pleasure of pledging at ever Waters University back in
spring of ninety nine. And I'm telling my age, but hey,
(01:16):
I look good for my age. I think that's a
little bit about my sorority and with the sorority.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
What kind of community work have you been doing with
a sorority?
Speaker 2 (01:25):
With delfa signatator, we are committed to service throughout the community,
internationally and locally. And some of the things we do
or feed the city. We've come out like you spoke
of early, We've come to feed the homeless. We have
worked with different organizations like Infan for feeding families that
(01:46):
are affected by HIV AIDS. We worked with also with
in Fans to feed the homeless, and we work with
Infanta feed Northeast Florida. And this is just a few
things that we do. We try to hold fundraisers for
international schools and it's a part of our seven Sustainability Project,
which falls under our five point thr US with international
(02:07):
awareness and involvement.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Me and d Shawnee speaking to Opele. She's here to
talk to us about Delta Sigma, thetas Crority Incorporated, as
well as what she has experienced in life. So opal.
I know that you have a story and God is
in that story. Talk and tell in just a little
bit about your life to share with the community how
(02:31):
you have come to fruition to today.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
I would love to do that. So my story is
one that's not foreign to women of African American descent.
I was blessed to have a beautiful baby boy almost
thirteen years ago, and just like many women, I was
not diagnosed properly with preclamsia, and because of my diagnose
(02:54):
of being missed with preclampsia, I suffered and had to
have a heart transplant. It took me a while because
of course insurance wants you to go through a certain
flips and turns just to get the things that you need,
and so it took me about seven years to get
a heart transplant a male clinic, which I must say
(03:15):
I had the best care at male clinic, but it
was a lot. I had a long journey. It started
off with a pacemaker, then I had to get a
heart pump and eventually end up getting in heart and
so it was the hardest out time of my life
to have to help my son. I may or may
not be here with him to carry on his life
and to have to say that at eight years old
(03:35):
was one of the most tremendous things I ever had
to deal with. And it's still suffering with that now.
It's still something I have to have to go and
seek treatment for with mental health care. But my son
is doing well and I'm doing well. That's the blessing.
Now life is back to being my normal, but it'll
never be back to being the same. After you have
a heart transplant, if anyone who's ever had one understands,
(03:56):
you have to take commune suppressions and certain medica you
have to take and you cannot mess. Life is teeter
towering on the edge because a lot of times you
have to make sure the medicine does not change or
your body does not change, because the medicine has to
treat your your immune system and keep it on that
certain levels, so I'm susceptible to any type of disease
(04:20):
or virus that might happen because of my immune system
being so weak. COVID was a hard time for me.
I end up catching COVID and thinking if I didn't
died from the heart transplant, well, that I was going
to be passing from COVID. Because I got so sick,
so I think I was going to be here. I
(04:40):
remember saying, God, not like this. We're going to go
through this fight to come to this, and what is
my son going to do? But thank God I did
get through that. I have to be mine for surgeries
that I have or any type of treatment that might
cause my immune system to ramp up, because that sends
me into a tell friend with my health as well.
But I'm blessed I'm here. God is still keeping me
(05:01):
sustaining my family. I had to support of so many
people and my friends. I was born and raised in Jacksonville,
and I tell you between my church family at First
Timothy Baptist Church, my family all throughout the United States,
as well as my sorority Telta Sigma Theta Sorority, and
also my friends that I had the chance to go
to school with the EBBA Waters and it Rains was
(05:23):
so supportive. I mean had a system set up for
everybody to come and visit me or bring me some
needed while I was in the hospital. Sum Soever, thanksful
to all the people who gave a prayer a memory
of a good time we had to share with my
family when they needed that support. I'm just so thankful.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
I remember that Opal and I was praying for you
because we have been friends for a long time. And
fast forward, you are here, You are healthy, and your
family and friends, I know, appreciate all the love that
was bestowed on you. Now that you are here throughout
and surviving and doing great things in the community. Tell
(06:04):
us about the fundraiser that you will be having so
that the community can get involved. It's called I can
Fly intentionally support the Butterfly House. Talk to us about that.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Yes, well, first I want to say the reason why
this is so near, and then in my heart and
my sorority because of everything I went through, I've always
been a person who wanted to give the community. I
didn't know how I could and which way I could,
but I knew once I found out about Delta Sigma
Say at a young age, I knew that was the
sorority for me because of the community service that they're given.
(06:38):
And this is one of many community services that we
work upon. Again, the Butterfly House is near and there.
It's been started by Shake Givens in Kenya, Africa, and
what it does it helps to support children in Africa
that may be suffering like the young ladies that are there.
It helps to stop things like really marriage, rape and
(07:03):
the genital mutilation of young girls at a young age.
So a lot of these kids are going there to
flee those situations and even some of them are caught
appointed to the Butterfly House that have been being to
be unsafe in the home where they are. So we're
giving back so that Shay Givings can build onto the
(07:24):
program she started and to make it bigger than what
it is to house more children because she's running out
of room there. So many kids are coming for her
support that she's running out of room and need to
build on more space to her building.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Opal And how can the community get involved with this?
I understand that you have an event coming up Saturday,
March the eighth at four pm at uf Health Hands.
How can the community get involved, donate and or be
in the building.
Speaker 2 (07:52):
Yes, please, if you can donate to us, it would
be so appreciating. And some of the ways that you
can actually support us is by directly. If you know
anyone that is directly in the chapter of the Jackson's
Alumni chapter, you can go to them directly to ask
for a way to donate with them. You can give
it to them directly, or you can go to event
bright where you can go on and get tickets directly,
(08:16):
or you can go through the local chapter. And our
website is Dstjacks dot org and you can go and
get to get our address out there if you don't
remember getting ready to give it to you, it is
PO box two four three five, Jacksonville, Florida three two
two oh three. Again, if you want to donate, you
(08:36):
can go directly to a member of Delta Sumer, say
the local chapter, the Jackson's Alumni Chapter, or you can
give it to us directly in the mail and we
will receive it at PO Box two four three five, Jacksonville,
Florida three two two zero three.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
And Opal I understand I can fly intentionally is to
Bill Liz for a better future the world. It will
happen on March the eighth. Talk to us about the
motivational speaker that will be there.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Community.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
This information is also on our website on the community page,
so you will be able to see this after the interview.
But Opel, if you would talk to us about the
motivational speaker and what they can expect on March.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
Eighth, doctor Free the Doxy. She is going to come
and give us a powerful speech about self motivation, how
to come and push yourself further than you push yourself
before ways so we can better ourself in our community
and for things like the Butterfly House, and how these
these community projects are important for the betterment of society.
(09:42):
So also if you get the extra fifteen dollars VIP pass,
you'll get an opportunity to talk to Miss Doxy and
one on one face to face at our VIP section,
and also you'll be able to have food and refreshments afterwards.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Community Shawnee speak to OPO. She is here to tell
us and talk to us about that I can fly intentionally.
Event that's happening with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. It's
an international Awareness and Involvement annual sustainability project fundraiser OPLE.
I know that this is going to be amazing and
(10:19):
it means a lot to you. What does black history
mean to you?
Speaker 2 (10:24):
Oh my gosh, so black history means so much to me.
Speaker 3 (10:29):
I remember as.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
A child and I had an aunt. Her name was Alice,
and she lived in Atlanta, and I was a little girl.
She would come visit when I would go to Making
George to visit my grandparents, and she would come down
to visit you with us, and she would sit and
talk and talk for hours about how she grew up
across the street from Martin Luther King Junior and how
she played with him as a child. So I just
(10:52):
remember at a young age they introduced how important it
was for our community and the leaders of our community.
So I spent a lot of time at her knee
talking about life and what it was like to know him,
and so that pushed me further to want to know more.
And then I found out that Malcolm X was related
to me. So I'm very, very deeply connected with Black
(11:15):
history because I know Black history is our history, and
we have a beautiful history that should be shared. So
a lot of times the greatness of our ancestors is
not shared enough.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
Well, you are a living legacy yourself, young lady. Thank
you so much for your time so much today, Opel.
It has always been a pleasure to help my community,
especially my sisters in the community that are doing good
work and that are coming back after a storm to
show that there is sunshine through it all. Please know
(11:46):
that we've all been praying for you. We all love you,
and you are thank you a light in this community.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
Oh Seana anytime. I love you so much and thank
you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (11:57):
Welcome to community viewpoints and Shannie feeling less and highly favored.
On this Sunday morning, we are empowering our community and
involving the world. Today, I have TC Newman. He is
here from Morgan State University Choir. Good morning, TC.
Speaker 3 (12:14):
Good morning, Sonny.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
How are you today there this morning?
Speaker 3 (12:17):
I'm doing fantastic. I am originally from Maryland and I
attended Morgan State University, which is in Baltimore, and it
is one of the one hundred and six HBCUs. Morgan
actually is the third largest HBCU in the nation. We
(12:39):
now have over eleven thousand students and it's a very diverse.
Even though it's a HBCU. Its website will list its
enrollment as twenty two percent non African American, so it
is growing. It is service need. Morgan was founded in
(13:03):
eighteen sixty seven and it is a Carnegie classed high
Research institution designated R two. And let me briefly tell
you a little bit about that designation. There are about
one hundred and forty six colleges and universities that are
considered R two research that's high research. There are only
(13:30):
ten HBCUs that have that designation. Above that, there's a
designation ARE one very high research. And this is given
to universities based on the amount of research they do,
the amount of grants they get for research, and the
(13:51):
amount of student doctorate degrees they give every year. Just recently,
within the last month or so, Howard University was designated
R one. Morgan and North Carolina A and T are
on the verge of moving to R one very high Research.
(14:13):
Now what does that mean? Why is that significant? There
are only one hundred and forty five universities in the
country that are R one, so it is not a
casual designation. It is very significant. It is millions of
dollars that come into the school because of that designation.
(14:34):
And Morgan is on the verge of becoming an R
one institution. It has over one hundred and fifty academic
programs bachelor level, master's level, and doctorate levels. One more
interesting fact about Morgan State. You will here refer to
a lot as the National Treasure and that is because
(14:57):
the National Trust for Historical Divation, which is empowered to
go around and designate certain buildings that should be preserved
for historical preservation. Well, when they came to Morgan, they
designated and it is the only one with such a designation.
They designated the entire campus of Morgan State University as
(15:22):
a National Treasure. So when you hear people talk about Morgan,
then they'll follow it up with the National Treasure. You'll
know what they're talking about. The school has had over
one billion dollars in new buildings over the last decade.
It is a beautiful campus and it has plans for
(15:45):
another one billion dollars to be built over the next decade,
to include the opening of a medical school on the
campus of Morgan. So that's just a little history about
more very diverse, but it's also a school that, as
(16:06):
I said, I graduated in nineteen seventy two, I probably
don't go a week that I don't have a conversation
with someone that I went to school with. At Board,
you developed lifelong relationships there, very meaningful relationships. Like all
of the HBCUs, it was a caring, nurturing experience. When
(16:31):
I looked around at some of the faculty members there
at the time. They cared about you and they took
care of you. They wanted to make sure that you
were successful in what you did, and they were very
good at it, very good. And as an alumni, I
feel like it's very important to stay involved and to
(16:56):
give back. One of the issues with most HBCUs most
of our alumni don't give back. Give back, either if
your time or your money. They need it, especially in
these times when folks are cutting back everywhere, Folks that
are asking why do they still exist? And HBCUs is
(17:21):
not a dirty word. It is a designation that was
given based on the roles and the historical charter they had.
When I get into conversations people, well, why do we
still have these black universe Well, I said, it's the
same reason that we still have the historically segregated colleges
(17:44):
and universities. It's just a historical designation. It still has
a role about education and it's open to everyone. N. D.
Speaker 1 (17:55):
Shawnie speaking to T. C. Newman, president of the Jacksonville
Well Morgan State University Alumni Association.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
TC.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
Understanding that you attended this school, black history is prevalent,
I continue every day of the year. But what does
with your experience Black History Month mean to you?
Speaker 3 (18:16):
Well, it is an opportunity to bring it to the forefront.
But I, like a lot of my classmates along, we
live Black history every day, and unfortunately we had to
create Black History Month to bring it to the forefront. However,
(18:36):
it's something that should be an ongoing part of our education.
It should come to the forefront within families. You got
to know your history and your families. You got to
know your history and your location. You got to know
your history and your schools. Because if you don't know
(18:57):
your history, as it's been said, doomed to repeat it,
good or bad. And there are a lot of things
going on today in our society that if you look
closely at history and you start to wonder, Okay, where
are we going? This seems awful familiar. So Black History
(19:20):
is very important to me. In fact, to the point
I read as much as I can on it. I
went to an HBCU. But I since I travel a lot.
I was in the military, and I travel a lot
in corporate America, and when I had a chance, like
when I'm here in Florida, I adopt one of the
(19:40):
local HBCUs as my HBCU of choice for support. So
I think it's very important that we stay grounded into
the why things are a certain way here in Jacksonville.
Learned a lot about their history since I've been here,
(20:03):
and I have run across a lot of people who
don't fully understand all the things that have happened in
Jacksonville and what our ancestors and relatives had to go
through to get to where a lot of people are today.
Very significant things here in Jacksonville, and that's.
Speaker 1 (20:25):
One of the reasons why when I saw Octavius, your
fraternity brother, post this, I was like, there's history here.
I just need to find someone to talk to and
to get that out. So Community Shawnee speaking to TC
Newman here with us today talking about structure, Black history,
why we should invest in us, but also here to
(20:49):
talk to us about Morgan State University Choir that we'll
be coming to Jacksonville. So tell us about that experience
that we will be experiencing in the month of March
and how the community can get that experience.
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Now, I'll get excited because the Morgan State University's world
renowned choir will be here at the south Side Church
of God in Christ on March twenty first, in concert
doing their spring break. I say world renowned and I
have as they say, back up to go with that,
(21:30):
the University Choir has been taking an international trip, usually
sponsored by the country they go to. They're invited because
they've heard about them. Every year for the last fifty
six years, with the exception of the COVID years. They
have been to every continent with the exception of Antarctica,
(21:56):
and the only reason they have been there nobody lives there.
They are truly a great choir. They have over one
hundred and twenty members. When they're performing at home, they
take anywhere from forty to sixty. When they're traveling, they
(22:17):
take a spring break every year. We had them here
in Jacksonville about five years ago, and that's probably the
cycle because every year they go in a different direction.
We're excited to have them back here again and the
performance that they will put on will have a range
of music, a range of music from classical gospel to contemporary.
(22:40):
When they travel internationally, it's one little fact about them.
When they travel internationally, they usually sing one song in
the native language of that country. They've done that every year.
I'm excited to see how they do this year because
they're going to Thailand and that may be a little stretch. However,
(23:00):
they have been to China, so they did it there.
Speaker 1 (23:02):
I'm sure they will be outstanding.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
Outstanding. The free event. We're asking for churches, choirs, families,
youth groups. We're in the South Side Church of Garden
Christ which has a magnificent sanctuary that can accommodate quite
a few people. So we're looking forward to filling up
(23:26):
the place and having you leave saying wow. You go
to the choir's website at www dot MSU choir dot org.
There's a quote from an older lady in Prague when
they visit it there about fifteen years ago. And I've
(23:49):
heard the choir many a time from my days at
Morgan and I've been fortunate enough. I was living in
southern California and I hosted the choir out there when
I was in Corporate America, and that's probably been thirty
years ago, and I've heard them numerous times since then,
(24:09):
and it's amazing how the consistency has been there every year.
It's an art. Folks can sing, A lot of folks
can sing, but when you put them together as a group,
it's something magical about it and that you get everybody
on point all the time. And I guarantee everyone listening
(24:36):
that if you come, you will be amazed.
Speaker 1 (24:38):
Thank you so much. TC. Is there anything else that
you'd like to share with the community.
Speaker 2 (24:43):
Now?
Speaker 1 (24:43):
This event is going to happen at the Southside Church
of God in Christ March twenty first, seven pm.
Speaker 3 (24:51):
Correct, That is correct, and the location is twenty one
seventy nine Emerson Street, Jacksonville, Flora. The zip code to
that is three two two zero seven. And we are
so appreciative of the bishop there who has opened up
his sanctuary for us and the community that has embraced us,
(25:15):
and we we're just excited about this. Just give you
a little bit more about the choir. They sang at
the Championship football game this year for the in Baltimore.
They sang at the Orioles Park this year in Baltimore.
They have sang with CC one and they have sang
with Stevie Wonder. They have been to the White House
(25:40):
and performed for every president except one since Ronald Reagan.
They went there when Ronald Reagan was president, and they
have performed for every president since then except one now TC.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
If there are students in the Jacksonville area that our
singers that would like to understand and see if this
is a school Morgan State University, so that they can
join the choir, how can they on that day get
in touch or is this something that is a process.
Speaker 3 (26:12):
There will be an opportunity after the event to talk
to choir members and to the director of the doctor,
Eric Conway. He's been the director of the choir since
two thousand and four, and as I said, part of
this tour is to get the word out about it.
(26:34):
You don't stay a world class choir without recruiting world
class talent, and world class talent is all over the place.
I'm sure there will be opportunities to find out about
coming to Morgan. In fact, prior to the concert, the
Alumni Association will be there to answer questions. We'll have
(26:56):
a slide show showing some of the buildings events that
have taken place at Morgan, so it will be an
opportunity to network and to find out about this university.
There are quite a few folks here in the alumni
Association who are in fact from Jacksonville who did go
(27:17):
to Morgan, so they'll be there. Answer the question. We
have several current students, quite a few current students from
Jacksonville at Morgan State. If they're home for spring break,
hopefully they'll be there at the concert.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
Also Commandy Shawnee speaking to TC Newman. He is the
president of the Jacksonville Morgan State University Alumni Association, and
as you can tell, he's excited. I'm excited and I
am happy that we are welcoming the choir here to Jacksonville,
just so that we can understand the diversity and the
culture of great music and great talent. And I'm sure
(27:56):
there's great talent in Jacksonville here as well. Is there
anything else that you'd like to share with the community
about being a part of Jacksonville Morgan State University Alumni Association,
as we.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
Are taking advantage of this opportunity too, because every day
we're finding more alumni, and we find them in the
oddest places. You walk into a local venue here and
you have on a Morgan paraphernalia or someone else will
have it on, and of course we will make the
(28:31):
connection and encourage them to get involved. We are actually
statewide alumni association. We meet quarterly via zoom, so you
don't have to be in Jacksonville. But we do have
a objective. We're the first alumni chapter in Florida. We've
(28:51):
been here about twenty some years, but we have an
objective of seeding and starting alumni chapters in the cities.
According to our roles, there are over four hundred alumni
living in Florida now and so we're just trying to
organize and mobilize those individuals. And I heard this recently,
(29:15):
so it's not original. We've been fighting for a seat
at the table for so long when we have our
own table, because that's what HBCUs were. We we built
our own tables, and we need to keep polishing those
tables so that they are still serving our community now
and in the future. I just feel that everybody should
(29:38):
give back, give back what you have. Didn't get here
on my own. Other folks paved the way, and it's
important for us to reach back, whether it's mentoring or
just giving some advice to someone, or just being.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
Available black history. I thought music, we used to sing,
you know, that's what they said. In the olden days.
They used to sing.
Speaker 3 (30:03):
We could go on and on because you know, singing
goes all the way back to our beginnings here in
slavery days. I mean, they signaled each other through singing,
they comforted each other through singing. You know, they uplifted
each other through singing, and that's why it's very important.
Like I say, it's a free event.
Speaker 1 (30:24):
Community, be sure to check out our community calendar page.
We have all the information on these events. Get involved,
stay involved, and be empowered. Thank you for listening to
community viewpoints. Have a blessed day.
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