On Friday, the 8th annual Kent County Legacy Day commemorated the contributions of outstanding Kent African American athletes with a reception of honorees at Janes United Methodist Church, followed on Saturday evening by a gala tribute to Aretha Franklin and a dance party in Wilmer Park.
The events were sponsored by Sumner Hall and the Historical Society of Kent County, Inc.
Forty-four athletes and four coaches who have excelled in competitive sports “have long played an important role in African American life. In a society that has suppressed black aspirations, team sports provide a chance to compete, and often excel, on a relatively level playing field,” writes Bill Leary in his booklet Outstanding African American Athletes of Kent County.
Kent County has a rich history of community sports reaching back to the adult African American baseball teams of the 1930s. According to Leary, these events were hugely popular as community festivities connecting families and friends on Sundays after church. Many of the athletes continued to excel in college sports. There was even one Olympic contender: Barbara Sampson Brown who won a silver medal in the 1961 International Olympic Games for the Deaf in Helsinki. Rising star, Manny Camper is currently preparing for the NBA draft. Ryan Thompson played nine seasons of Major League baseball for six teams, including the 2000 World Series playing for the NY Yankees.
The athletes honored this weekend represent all of the sports programs offered by Garnet High School and its successor Kent County High School. Each honoree excelled in their sport, from wrestling and field hockey to basketball, track and field, and football. The four coaches were honored for their winnings seasons and State Championships and for their mentorship of the young athletes.
The Legacy Day Committee continues its search for the many African American athletes who have enriched our communities with their sports prowess and sportsmanship.
Sunday evening continued the celebration at Wilmer Park with a rousing tribute to Aretha Franklin by Sylvia Frazier & The Vaughn Bratcher Project, followed by a dance party with D J Real. The evening was hosted by Yvette Hynson.
Here are a few highlights of the weekend. The Spy recommends getting a free copy of Bill Leary’s Outstanding African American Athletes of Kent County for details and biographies of these great County athletes and coaches. It may be found at Bordley Historical Center, 301 High st, and Sumner Hall, 206 S. Queen St.
This video is approximately seven minutes in length.
Barbara Jorgenson says
Many thanks for the kind words. This year’s Legacy Day celebration was especially wonderful, with honorees traveling from as far as California, North Carolina, and Florida to attend. It had all the hallmarks of a class reunion spanning decades. Kudos to Bill Leary and to the Legacy Day Committee ably led by Nivek Johnson.
One clarification please: The 48-page book about the honorees is free and may be obtained from these sources: 1) Sumner Hall is distributing the full book while supplies last; 2) the book can be downloaded at the Historical Society’s website at https://kentcountyhistory.org. The link for the download is on the home page of the website. In addition, there is a brochure featuring a photo of each honoree, available at Sumner Hall and the Bordley History Center and by download at the Historical Society’s website.
Please stop by the Bordley History Center to visit this remarkable exhibit.
Barbara Jorgenson
President
Historical Society of Kent County
Larry Samuels says
The Gala Tribute was held on Saturday evening, August 21st, not Sunday August 22nd. Correction noted by me as Member, Legacy Day Committee.