Suffolk News-Herald

About 75 people turned out Saturday morning at Tabernacle Christian Church to observe the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court Decision that struck down segregated schools in America.

Organizer Harvey Clark said the event was sponsored by the Martin Luther King Celebration Committee and included breakfast as well as recognition for black educators.

&uot;It brought back a lot of memories and I was choked up as I saw my teachers coming in on canes,&uot; said Clark, who attended Andy J. Brown, East Suffolk High School and John F. Kennedy. &uot;It brought tears to my eyes.&uot;

Clark said the idea for the breakfast originated with a Black History Month program at the Boys & Girls Club. Clark said he talked the idea up with Juanita Glover, his fourth grade teacher, who inspired him to put the program together.

Speakers Herman T. Benn, Mamie Martin and Johnny Edwards discussed the past, present and future, respectively, of blacks in Suffolk Public Schools. Dr. Milton Liverman, superintendent of Suffolk Public Schools, gave the welcoming remarks and Terry Miller served as emcee.

Clark said the event featured lots of food and fellowship and that the food was shared with the Suffolk Shelter for the Homeless.

&uot;The joy I got out of it and the love I got from my teachers…I can’t explain it,&uot; Clark said. &uot;If it weren’t for Juanita Glover, I wouldn’t have put the effort into it because she inspired me.&uot;

Clark also said he wantged to thank Adeline Newsome, his third grade teacher, who sent a display of photographs and newspaper articles that she has amassed over the years, and Suffolk Happenings publisher Lue Ward who helped organize the event.