Former Chattanooga Housing Authority Board Chairman Eddie Holmes said he has a message that he always shares at speaking engagements: "When the doors of opportunity open for our kids, they're not prepared to go in."
"All of our teachers would tell us, 'You've got to study. You have to be twice as good to go forward,' but I don't think that message is being told anymore," he said.
That warning and more will be available when Holmes speaks today at 10:30 a.m. at Church Women United's African- American History Celebration at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 6314 East Brainerd Road.
The event is one of several local activities scheduled this month to commemorate Black History Month.
Activities are also scheduled at Bessie Smith Cultural Center, local schools and at various churches.
Grammy Award- winning music producer David Banner will speak during the Black Issues Summit at UTC on Feb. 25. Dr. Dwaun Warmack, president of Harris-Stowe State University.
"We're doing a lot this month, and the bulk of it is free," said Shane Morrow, who is hosting Black History Month events at Jazzanooga.
"I just want folks to recognize that even though February is Black History Month, our heritage and all heritage in general should be celebrated year-round."
More than 50 churches are represented among Church Women United. The group calls itself a national movement of Christian women from various denominations set on serving the community while fellowshipping with each other.
Holmes, a past president of the Chattanooga- Hamilton County NAACP, said he wants to "stir the inner beings of people so they may fulfill their mission."
He liked the movie "Hidden Figures," saying he wasn't surprised to learn that black women worked at NASA. They came from schools like Hampton Institute and Virginia Union and they graduated at the top of their class, Holmes said.
"So they had bought into the concept that you have to work twice as hard to be considered good," he said.
He stressed that when opportunity came for them, they were able to fulfill their mission because they were academically prepared.
Contact staff writer Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.
Black History Month Events
Bessie Smith Cultural Center› The Bessie Smith Cultural Center will host an exhibit on Martin Luther King Jr. and another on the Underground Railroad. Both are scheduled to run from Wednesday to April 30.› Bessie’s Big 9 Revue Pre-Valentine’s Day Luther Vandross Tribute with Danny Clay at 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door.› The Word Players presents, “A Woman Called Truth,” Bessie Smith Cultural Center, 3 p.m., Feb. 12. Admission is free.› Talk with the National Park Service at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. “Why They Fought: Abolitionists in the Army of the Cumberland, 5:30-7 p.m., Feb. 13.› African-American Entrepreneur Financial Empowerment Seminar “Are You Ready to Launch?” 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Feb. 18.› Public outreach and educational event at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center with NAACP Feb. 19.Jazzanooga› Black Art in America Exhibit Feb. 1-14.› The Harlem Renaissance Effect. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Session begins at 6 p.m. Free admission. Donations welcomed.› Jazz: The Next Generation Project. Feb. 17, 23 and 24. Doors open each night at 7:30 p.m. Seating is limited. Purchase tickets online for $15.› Special Advance Screening: Maya Angelou: “And Still I Rise.” Doors open at 5:30 p.m., Feb. 18. Program starts at 6. Limited seating is available and registration and tickets are required.› Sunday Gospel Brunch. Doors open at 1:30 p.m., Feb. 19. Tickets are available online for $15.› Black Coffee Discussion Series 8 a.m., Feb. 22. Free admission.The Sounds of Freedom 4:30 p.m., Feb. 26. Seating is limited. Donations accepted.› The Jazzanooga Experience Live on 93.5 FM. Every Sunday in February beginning at 7 p.m.UTC› Black Issues Summit: Against the Isms pre-conference workshop scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday led by Dr. Dwaun Warmack, president of Harris-Stowe State University. Grammy Award Winning Music Producer David Banner will give the keynote address Feb. 25. To register go to https://orgsync.com/77721/forms/232227. Registration closes Feb. 20 at 5 p.m.Stanley United Methodist Church 501 Dodson Ave.› National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in memory of Henry Anthony Cothern Sr. 6:15 p.m. - 8 p.m., Feb. 7.Church of the First Born 3418 St. Elmo Ave.› The Rev. Charlotte S. Williams, pastor of Eastdale Village Community United Methodist Church, will speak at 4 p.m., Feb. 19.