WJBC Forum: Celebrating ‘our’ heritage

Whitney Houston sings at a pre-Grammy party saluting David Geffen (Getty Images/Kevork Djansezian)

This is wonderful time of the year to celebrate OUR heritage and reflect on the contributions Africa Americans have made to our nation and world.

Notice I said “OUR” heritage…we may have come over on different boats, but we’re all in the same boat now. I would like to take a moment to recognize a great American who broke all color barriers… singer/actress Whitney Houston. She will be remembered for your contributions to American pop-culture in many ways.

One of my most memorable “Whitney Houston” moments was when she sung the Star Spangled Banner for the Super Bowl and how she sang the song with such truth and conviction. Just thinking about it sends chill bumps down my spine.

It’s moment like those that make me proud to be Black and American. As African-Americans we’ve struggled to overcome immeasurable obstacles yet in still we strive, achieve, and are still loyal to our nation and God. Just in my lifetime I’ve witnessed African-American’s contributions to every sector of our society, from Noble Prizes to our sitting President!

There are some nay-sayers that take issue with setting aside a month to acknowledge minorities and their contributions to our nation and world. To them I say, look at it as an opportunity to learn about another culture and grow as a human being. If we aren’t growing and learn about one another what are we doing?

Make a concerted effort to attend a cultural event, sample the cuisine, listen to the music, watch a documentary, plan a trip to another country…your options are unlimited if you have the willingness to get outside of your comfort zone. There isn’t anything to lose, but so much to gain!

In the Struggle, this is Mike Williams for WJBC’s Forum.

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Mike Williams hales from Presque Isle, Maine. He has lived throughout the United States, the Carolinas, Alaska, and Hawaii. After a number of years traveling with his Military family, they finally settled in Champaign, Illinois. Mike’s a graduate from Champaign Central High School. After graduating from Champaign Central, Mike attended Eastern Illinois University. After two years at Eastern, Mike joined the United States Air Force, following in his father’s footsteps.

While in the military, he completed his Bachelors of Science Degree in Management and Information Systems. After graduating from Park College in North Kansas City, Missouri, he took employment in a Kansas City computer firm. After a year, Mike began working as a Data Processing Supervisor with State Farm Insurance in Columbia, Missouri.

During Mike’s travels he’s been exposed to many cultures, people, and places; his destiny was to become a humanitarian/civil rights activist. While in Missouri, Mike held many leadership positions with Columbia’s NAACP Branch, and was a recipient of the NAACP’s Roy Wilkins Jr. Award. He was also a member of Columbia’s Human Rights Commission.

Mike’s work for social and civil rights continues…he’s was recently re-elected for his tenth term as President of the Bloomington/Normal NAACP Branch. He also sits on many Boards for other organizations (American Red Cross, Family Community Resource Center, African-American Forum, Bloomington/Normal Achievement Gap Taskforce, McLean County Diversity Project, Partners in Recovery, Illinois People’s Action, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.).

In addition to Mike’s humanitarian efforts, he’s a Systems Manager at State Farm Insurance. Mike’s also a family man; his wife Lottie and son Stephen are Mike’s encouragers. Mike’s work requires him to be away from his family more often then he likes; nevertheless his family understands that sacrifices have to be made for the greater cause “CIVIL RIGHTS”. Lastly, he’s a member of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church and Bloomington/Normal’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Relations Award and the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for Human and Civil Rights, 2010 Roy Wilkins Jr. Award.

The opinions expressed within WJBC’s Forum are solely those of the Forum’s author, and are not necessarily those of WJBC or Townsquare Media.