- December 5, 2025
Zaveon Betts celebrates during a re-enactment of the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation. Photos by Brian McMillan
Jazmine Ellis, Brianna Ellis, Omariyian Padgett and Erica Cousins, of AKA CAP
Alex Harvey, master of ceremonies
Robert Whiting (far left) and the Youth Black History Committee: Annette Williams, Patricia Bottoms, Richard Barnes, Harriett A. Whiting, Melba McCarty and Chairperson Jeanette B. Wheeler
Diaje Betts offered the opening prayer.
Kristyana McHugh
Bryanna Ivey and Jeanette Wheeler
Nia Felton
Erica Cousins
Ed Pinto
Edwina Mezo Brown
Brianna Ellis and Jada Simpson
Edwina Mezo Brown
Faith Robinson and Jill Prime
Farasha Simmons-Freeman, of Bethune-Cookman University
Jada Simpson
LaToya Taite
Margie and Randolph Arthur
Nia Felton
Nia Felton
Nia Felton and Maya Felton
Oslyn Bryant
Oslyn Bryant
AACS President Joseph Matthews
Samira Taite-Headspeth
Ashley Harrison, Sheldon Headley, Daniel Esannsaon, Zaveon Betts
Terry "Doc" Handy
Valerie Betts
Victoria Baley and Nesta Salter
Wilhelmina and Edward H Brown Jr.
It was a celebration of African history. A commemoration of suffering. A showcase of black youth talent.
The African American Cultural Society was full on Sunday, Feb. 16, for the 17th-annual Youth Black History Reality Program. This year, the program traced African American roots back thousands of years to the dawn of recorded history, celebrating the advent of many features of modern culture. There were also dramatic readings of accounts from the days of slavery.
Jeanette Wheeler was chairperson of the committee that put the event together, along with Richard Barnes, Melba McCarty, Annette Williams, Patricia Bottoms and Harriet A. Whiting. Terry Handy was the percussionist, Flagler Palm Coast High School teacher Tracy Hicks contributed, Dr. Reinhold Schlieper provided audio/visual support, and Robert Whiting and Melba McCarty were writers and directors.
"Our children — they are smart," Wheeler said. She called for donations for scholarships, and baskets were passed. In the past 12 years, the event has raised over $40,000.
Two of those scholarship recipients attended and expressed their gratitude for the financial support they received: Bryanna Ivey, who is at Daytona State College; and Namiah Simpson, who is an FPC alumna and now a track and field athlete at Southeastern University.
Other youth participants included Alex Harvey, Diaje Betts, Oslyn Bryant, Nia Felton, Samira Taite-Headspeth, Jada Simpson, Edwina Mezo Brown, Sofia Curtain, the Delta Gems, Mount Calvary Baptist Church Youth Group and Aminah Taite-Headspeth.
Editor's Note: If you know the missing names of any people in the photo gallery, please email [email protected].
