What does tennis, African drums and cultural legacies have in common?
It’s all about learning how to enjoy, remember and honor Juneteenth.
Youth activities are the main focus of the fourth annual Juneteenth Tennis Exhibition
(JTE), held Saturday, June 21, at Kiest Tennis Center.
Players from high schools in southern Dallas aced and volleyed their way through their sets, as judges determined which top three would ultimately receive Tennis Summer Scholarships. Many of the players came from South Oak Cliff, Spruce, Sunset, Pinkston and Roosevelt.
iPlayTennis, a special JTE feature this year, allowed youth 5 to 12 years old to learn
tennis fundamentals. The free lesson was a first for many of the 12 or so participants. “I had fun learning how to play. I wanna play again,” said nine-year-old first-time player Jason Berry.
Celebrity Doubles Match, the exhibition’s main fundraising event, also stirred plenty of excitement. Dallas City Councilmen Chad West and Zarin Gracey outlasted Rev. Edlen Cowley, of the Horizon Texas Conference United Methodist Church (UMC), and Johnny Rogers, president of Trinity Review Services.
Gracey joined West to congratulate Camp Wisdom UMC, aka, The Camp, on creating an active community event, encouraging youth to broadening their sports interest.
JTE’s largest donor, Rogers added that he was skeptical about his performance, yet
“had fun just hanging in there.”
Rev. James Minor and Gemeral Berry truly survived in their Old vs. New School
doubles match against the much younger scholarship winners. “… grueling is the word,” said Rev. Minor. “I’m just glad I’m still able to stand.”
“This tennis event can bring greater interest to our young people,” said Aaron Wallace, assistant athletic director over tennis in Dallas Independent School District, saying he’ll support it.
“… a great turnout by our area high school players and our young beginners,” JTE co- chair Jonathan Thomas, said, adding that with fantastic support from the community, DISD and our sponsors, it’ll continue to grow,
“Ancestral Echoes” Connects Our Past to the Present
African drums, dancers and storytelling rounded out Camp Wisdom’s Juneteenth
celebration titled “Ancestral Echoes: Sacred Sounds and Movements.”
Performances included Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble, Oba the
African Story Teller and a panel on hymn lining. The program was awarded a grant from the City of Dallas’ Office of Arts and Culture.
Bandan Koro’s powerful performance celebrated life using the medium of Caribbean
and West African cultural expressions. The ensemble was true to its name, which, in
Malinke, means “under the tree,” a community gathering place to connect knowledge
with inspiration.
Hymn liners Ms. Ulanda Crivens, Rev. Jacoby Ervin and Rev. James I. Minor
reminiscenced with poignant, spirit-filled renditions. Each lead the audience with
traditional call and response songs, like “I Loved The Lord He Heard My Cry.” They
urged that hymn lining, or lined-hymn, be keep alive because of its strong healing
power. It also relates to how we, like our ancestors, can rely on it in good times and
bad.
Oba gave a finale that brought his audience high energy, enthusiasm and a wealth of African tales.
“This event was truly a wonderful occasion,” said Brenda Bright, lead manager for the celebration. “Our performers were exciting and inspiring. I’d like to see more cultural events. Our community can’t get enough.”
