Many will remember Bern Nadette Stanis as daughter “Thelma” on the popular CBS sitcom “Good Times,” which ran from 1974 to 1979. Others may recognize her as the author of four books, including “Situations 101: Relationships” or “The Last Night: A Caregiver’s Journey.” The Brookylyn, New York, native who attended Julliard and was once Miss Brooklyn, will soon be in the Golden Triangle.
On Saturday, Stanis takes on the role of keynote speaker at the second annual African American History Banquet in West Point’s UFCW Union Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the 6 p.m. event presented by Northside Christian Church. The hall is located at 400 Lewis O’Dneal Road.
Stanis will sign copies of her books at the banquet and also on Friday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts in downtown West Point, and on Sunday morning, Feb. 9 at Northside Christian Church.
“Our church hosts an annual Black History Month celebration and the vision for that is to invite a guest with a significant background to encourage and inspire those of us in the Golden Triangle,” said Northside’s pastor, Orlando Richmond.
Saturday’s banquet will also include recognition of Difference Makers honorees Johnnie Harris, Willene Jefferson and Travis Outlaw. Harris is assistant women’s basketball coach at Mississippi State University and a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Division 1 Assistant Coach of the Year. Outlaw, a Starkville native and former NBA player, is a philanthropist with respect to his hometown, Richmond said.
Of Jefferson, the pastor said, “She is a wonderful seasoned citizen in our community who has invested her time, energy and resources in assisting others for decades.”
Entertainment at the banquet will be by Artistik, Jermaine Taylor and Tafaye Smith. Willie Davis serves as program chair of the event.
Richmond said, “February is Black History Month, and we want to do two things: One, we want to recognize the significant achievements of African Americans in this country over the years; but, two, we want to be mindful of the current contributions and inspire others. History is living and continuing.”
How to go
Tickets to the African American History Banquet are $30 (stage section), $25 (middle section) or $20 (rear section). A limited number of tickets may be available at the door.
For tickets or information, contact Dorothy Ryland at 662-275-2474 or at [email protected].
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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