Cameron Turner, a rising journalist and
social commentator, will be the keynote speaker at the 25th
annual Black History Celebration sponsored by Altadena Baptist
Church, on Sunday, February 21, beginning at 5 PM.
Turner is a native of Pasadena, where he attended public schools before earning a Bachelors Degree in Communications at Stanford University. His column “Turner’s Two Cents,” is published regularly in The Pasadena Journal. He also contributes to two web sites, Urban Thought Collective (UrbanThoughtCollective.com) and Electronic Urban Report (EURweb.com).
Recently, he has launched a career as a television commentator, partnering with well-known anchor Fred Roggin in the groundbreaking KNBC news program “The Filter with Fred Roggin.”
The theme of Turner’s keynote message
and of the event will be “The African Diaspora,” the worldwide
distribution of African people and culture throughout the world. In
recognition of the fact that this dispersion was not voluntary, but
mainly caused by the slave trade, the Bible verse selected to express
the theme reflects the parallel with the experience of the ancient
Hebrews enslaved in Egypt: “You meant it for evil, but God meant
it for good” (Genesis 50:20).
Under the guidance of Popular Southern
California jazz producer Billy Mitchell, a variety of musicians will
contribute selections from African-origin societies in various parts
of the world. This will dramatize the many ways in which the music
and other art forms of Africa have influenced world cultures.
Featured performers will include Kenyan recording artist Arinda, Latin guitarist
Rojellio, steel drummer Prince Bernard and the
Billy Mitchell Trio. Dr. Charles Dickerson, Director of the
Southeast Symphony, will lead his Inner City Youth Ensemble.
Altadena Baptist Church celebrated its
75th Anniversary this past August. For the first forty
years of its existence, it was a typical Caucasian congregation, but
since 1974 African-Americans have comprised a major part of its
membership. Currently, it is one of the most thoroughly integrated
congregations in the Pasadena area. Recognizing that its early
history was dominated by Caucasian-American cultural and religious
values, the church has decided that its African-American roots need
to be intentionally celebrated through this annual event. A
dedicated committee under the leadership of Paula DeVaughn, has been
planning for the event since September, supported by the church’s
co-pastors Connie DeVaughn and George Van Alstine.
The Celebration will be followed by a soul-food dinner, provided by the congregation for all those attending. The event and the dinner will be free. However, a voluntary offering will be received. After expenses are covered, the offering will be donated to Haiti relief and to local non-profit agencies benefiting youth.
