The Bethel Minority Outreach Technical Assistance (MOTA) produced their 8th annual event to celebrate cultural diversity and eliminate minority health disparities on Saturday January 28th at Washington College’s John Toll Science Center. MOTA functions to educate minority groups in Kent County on health opportunities. This year’s program was on cholesterol and heart disease. RN Elizabeth Rice of the Chester River Hospital’s Cardiac Rehab Center gave a presentation with a question and answer session afterwards. The purpose of the program is to inform minorities of how to access healthcare and to bring health related educational information to individuals while enjoying the power of performance and celebrating culture.
[slideshow id=94]The program included a number of uplifting and moving performances. Evelyn Young gave a stirring rendition of “This Old Clay House of Mine”, The Gospel Inspirations sang and God’s Wealth played motown infused Gospel numbers. Brittany Jennings gave the empowering “Praise Dance” in white-face makeup.
Other notable presenters included the “Phenomenal Women”, whose elegant black coats and hats transfixed the crowd, sashaying in step to gospel music. Sonny Fasset read two original poems, The Providence Gospel Group sang a capella, and the San Ko Fa Dance Company of Dover Delaware closed out the program with an explosive series of drum and dance pieces from across the African continent.
Troupe leader Ruben Salters, who has led the group for the past 18 years, prefaced each piece with a little information about where it came from in Africa.
Often accompanied by a high “yip” or call from the dancers, San Ko Fa’s infectiously danceable pieces posessed everyone in the room to tap a foot and beam a smile.
In the end, Bethel MOTA put on a show that was both spiritually cleansing and educational. Closing remarks were given by Rev. Robert N. Brown, Jr. Pastor of the Bethel AME Church.
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