Black Heritage Festival: Continuing the Poetic Journey

One of Northeast Alabama’s oldest Black History Month celebrations returns to Anniston Museum for 2012! Black Heritage Festival is a day filled with culture, fellowship and song. The heart of the day remains the Children’s Oratory Competetion, in which area school children from pre-k –12th grade compete for cash prizes. Each child chooses a piece of poetry or prose written by a noted African American author, and spends weeks learning the work by heart. Then, on the day of the Festival, they take to the stage to recite their piece before a rapt audience of hundreds. A panel of invited judges, all professionals from the area, choose the top 3 orators in each group, and those children are presented with cash awards. It’s a wonderful way for young people to learn more about their heritage and history, and to gain poise and self-confidence as public speakers. Following the orations, visitors may shop a variety of African American inspired arts and crafts from on-site vendors in the Museum Lobby. Peruse a wide array of clothing items, jewelry, accessories, arts and more. Wrapping up the day’s events will be a live gospel choir performance by Minister James Pullin and Remnant, from Atlanta, Georgia.