Black History Month celebrated

A Black History Month celebration held by the Winterville Historical and Arts Society recognized African American pioneers from the town as well as trailblazers who organizers said are currently making a way for a better tomorrow.

The event on Sunday at the Winterville Depot was organized by Mattie Dejesus, the first African American on the executive board of the Historical and Arts Society. The event celebrated Joe Nathan Nelson, Robert Lee Worthington, Josephine Wilson and Rufus Clark as pioneers.

Nelson owned and operated his own trucking business in the 1950s and 60s; Worthington worked in one of the few Black-owned businesses in Winterville, Worthing Cleaners; Wilson was the first Black employee of the Winterville Bank and the Winterville Depot; and Clark worked and retired from Dupont when there were few African American employees. He also initiated the first and only baseball team and games in the north Winterville community.

Relatives of the pioneers that were present were presented with certificates to honor their loved one’s contributions to the town.

Trailblazers that were acknowledged included Mayor Ricky Hines, the town’s first Black mayor, town council members Veronica Robinson, Dr. Brandi Harrell Johnny Moye and Shantel Hawkins, and Dr. Glen Johnson, radio show host at Awesome Radio WBIS-LP 106.9 FM.

Winterville’s official Historian Jesse Riggs gave a presentation on Alfred J. Collins, who was an early leader in the African American community of Winterville and was a key supporter of the school which would later become W.H. Robinson School.

“He was a farmer, store owner, ran a shoe repair business, and was actively involved in the life of the community,” said Riggs.

The first record of him in relation to Winterville is in 1898 when he buys a half acre lot on the east side of Railroad Street from A.G. and Susan Cox. Riggs said that this location would become the site of his home and his store and was located at present day 2509 Railroad St.

A notation in the March 13, 1900, edition of the Eastern Reflector says, “Alfred Collins has finished his house here and has just moved into it,” which Riggs said was extremely significant because at that time African Americans weren’t featured in news articles.

“In 1918, Collins invented and patented an improved mechanical tobacco tyer,” Riggs said. “Being a farmer himself, he could appreciate the benefits a mechanical tobacco tier would have for tobacco farmers, and having the knowledge and skills of shoe repair and sewing footwear no doubt influenced his invention.”

Author Marques Harrington also told the gathering that his new book, “Rolling Pines,” will be available at Barnes and Noble. The project was 20 years in the making as he did genealogical research on his family, he said.

Harrington said High Pines is the vivid, astonishing narrative of the intricate roots of a precocious and determined family which crisscrosses the color line and covers nearly 200 years of American history from chattel slavery to the present.

The admission manager from Winterville Charter Academy, Elizabeth Nunez, also brought several students to the event of all races to learn and participate, as well as materials for the community to learn about the school.

There were door prizes for the attendees presented throughout the celebration, a fashion show of traditional African attire from different countries, as well as refreshments, and Dejesus said that she was very pleased with the turnout and hopes to host another celebration next year.