Gospel Night 'very special'

Feb. 16—ASHLAND — About three dozen people of all ages experienced Gospel Night at Highlands Museum and Discovery Center on Thursday evening.

Bernice Henry, co-founder of the C.B. Nuckolls Black History Museum and a former city commissioner, said it was a "very special" night.

"We had some great talent," she said, referring to a number of folks who educated and entertained the crowd.

Among those featured: Dee Russell, Faith Fountain, Kristen Martin, Katrina Thomas, Uriah Tolbert, Angela Linthicum, Stacy Medcalf and Pastor J.D. Crockrel. Henry supplied the invocation.

Russell did an interpretive dance and poetry called "Beyond Words."

Kristen Martin presented "The Heritage" as Harriet Tubman, an abolitionist and social activist.

"It was very authentic," Henry said of Martin's Tubman performance. "It was entertaining for adults, and there were quite a few children there."

Linthicum, Thomas, Martin and Fountain sang.

"They all did a beautiful job," Henry said. "I call Angela Linthicum 'the voice.' She has such a special voice."

Kim Jenkins and Heather Whitman, of Highlands, "did an outstanding job," Henry said.

Jerry Johnson's artwork was on display. Several photos from the Black History Museum's webpage were also on display for the event.

Henry was pleasantly surprised to see a picture of two of her sisters who were cheerleaders at Booker T. Washington High School.

Henry said Gospel Night started about 20 years ago.

"Several people in the community who were once part of it are now gone," Henry said. "It makes me feel sad, but I love to see how it's evolved and it keeps going."

Henry had been busy on Friday helping conduct tours of the C.B. Nuckolls Museum for groups of students from Crabbe Elementary.

"I love being able to pass along that knowledge," she said.

February is Black History Month, and Henry wanted to remind everyone that "Black history is not just for African Americans. It's everyone's history. That was emphasized, so to speak, through the music and entertainment (on Thursday)."