Welcome to Our New Site

Editor’s Letter.

The meeting ended, and I walked to my cubicle, found my reporter’s notebook, and asked the photographer to meet me at the elevator. We were covering another crime story.

I felt my frustration stirring as it often did when faced with another reporting assignment about a murder. Not that murders were not news. But the more compelling story focuses on the nuances. What motivated the gunman? Who is the victim? Why is the crime rate disproportionately high among African-Americans?

The story behind the story is what TheVillageCelebration.com pursues. In our inaugural issue, we hear from noted scholar, Dr. Timothy Askew. Dr. Askew reviews the song, “Lift Every Voice And Sing”, considered by many as the African-American anthem. If you have ever warbled your way through the beloved hymn, you will appreciate Jermaine Smith’s operatic interpretation accompanying Dr. Askew’s article.

We are launching TheVillageCelebration.com to encourage understanding of and conversation about issues we believe interest African-Americans. And when the subject matter affects all Americans, we will pursue an African-American perspective. Thank you for coming to TheVillageCelebration.

Vickie Newton, Founder of The Village Celebration