THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 23, 1996 TAG: 9602210170
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JANIE BRYANT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
The elders of Zion Baptist will arrive at the church in a limousine and be ushered in on a red carpet for a special ``African American Heritage Day'' program Sunday.
The program will be held at 4 p.m. at the downtown church, 527 Green St.
Dr. Hugo Owens, coordinator of the program, said the senior citizens, age 75 and older, are referred to as ``the wisdom carriers'' and the annual honor is paid them by the teenagers of the church.
``The teenagers are called the Visions,'' said Owens, adding that the program is a tribute to both the older and younger generations of the church.
``It's sort of an effort to bridge the gap - have them respect and revere the aged and the aged to be tolerant and understanding and supportive of the young folk,'' he said.
The program has been held for five years and, in the past, the older members would pass down the stories of their parents and grandparents, including those who had been born slaves.
This year, Owens said the program will feature young people and the elders will be interviewed and taped after the service.
The program includes Christopher Wilson of Norfolk, a 12-year-old musical prodigy, Owens said.
Wilson serves as assistant organist at St. John's AME Church in Norfolk.
Also on the program is local football star, Aaron Sparrow, and his Norfolk State Coach Darnell Moore, who are expected to bring other Spartans.
Sparrow is now a senior at Norfolk State and preparing for a professional football career. He just attended a camp in Chicago where pro teams look over rookie prospects.
The quarterback played at Wilson High School the year the team won the state championship and has set several passing records at Norfolk State.
The other feature on the program, Owens said, will be ``a report on the impact of the Million Man March, nationally and locally.''
That portion of the program will be given by Ronald Myers, a member of Zion, who attended the march, said Owens. Photos of that Million Man March will be included in a Black History display of pictures. by CNB