by Ezabelle Janssen, Contributing Writer

WEST HARRISON COUNTY (GG) — On Saturday, February 15th, 2025, the J.W. Randolph Educational Cultural and History Heritage Council celebrated the past of Pass Christian, holding its 2nd Annual Black History Program at the West Harrison County Community Center. 

This year’s theme, “We are one,” illustrated the organization’s goals of fostering education, engagement, and participation in the community.  

Local Pastor of Mount Zion United Methodist Church in DeLisle Donald Garrett led the people in prayer and preached, ” We are all the same in the eyes of God,” emphasizing John 17:21-22.  “21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and i am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one–” 

This highlights the importance of unifying believers, such as the unity of Jesus, the Son, and God, the Father.  One attendee sneezed, and the entire assembly halted and said, “Bless you!” in unison, speaking volumes to the event’s sense of community and spirituality. 

Hands rose, and praising chants ensued as various spiritual acts were performed. The Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church’s (Pass Christian) mime team and liturgical dancers moved their bodies while soloists Gerald Campbell and Jamion Burney and the local choir group Hiyah (Hebrew for “life”) praised and entertained through vocal harmony. 

Many awards were distributed to honor heritage. The recognition list was extensive, and the leading honoree was local NFL legend Gene Lang, who traveled from Denver, Colorado, to attend.

Lang said, “It is a great feeling to be honored by your community.” Earlier in the week, Lang visited and inspired the local youth football team, showing that he can not only make touchdowns but also touch hearts. 

As council President Sharon Saucier explained, “The inspiration for the second year is to honor our heritage by bringing in all generations.”

The younger generation, like the Pass Christian Elementary School Drummers, performed under the direction of the awarded Wright, personifying the idea of one people, one heartbeat. Parts of the older generation, like the esteemed Cheryl Lang, educated and inspired the crowd through her “apology to our future generations” monologue. 

A culturally rich event, modern and traditional attire was seen throughout the crowd, along with various artistic expressions on and off stage. 

The two ceramic displays, “My Story My Heritage,” by Mississippian Veloa Zander, and “Friday Night Family Card Party,” by Alice Hunter, are part of a larger project, “The Dinner Table Stories.” This collection is driven by passion and aims to celebrate heritage while also telling one’s own unique story.

Prominent figures and historically rich families were in attendance, like JWRECHC board member and Ward 2 Alderwoman Regina Charlot of the pre-Pass Christian Charlot family. Also in attendance was Theodore “Teddy” Lawyer – Pass Christian’s first African American mayor, Alderman at large Kenny Torgeson, Ward 4 Alderman Victor Pickich, Pass Christian Public School District Superintendent Dr. Carla Evers, and Pass Christian Mayor Jimmy Rafferty.

Torgeson expressed his love for and importance of community, pointing out many of his old classmates and teachers in the crowd. He said he wants to restore the city by “getting back to the basics and supporting everyone. That is why community engagement is crucial.”

Regina Charlot explained the importance of unity and inclusivity, emphasizing JWRECHC’s various initiatives. For example, they hold “financial workshops, support One Book One Pass, and donated a bench to the Lawrence Guyot Memorial.” 

To remember the event, one could take home a beautiful, ornate piece of jewelry sold by the local Nickey Turner. 

Who will they Pass the honor to next year? We can not wait to celebrate and see what the third annual event will bring!

(Photos by Ezabelle Janssen/The Gazebo Gazette)