On February 1, the African American Heritage Society of East Pasco County (AAHSEP), presented Ruth Lee Black with its annual Carter G. Woodson award for preserving African-American life and history through her work as a community photographer and videographer. The award is given to individuals, groups, organizations, or institutions that preserve Black history. The award is named in honor of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who, in 1926, founded what was then called “Negro History Week.” In 1976, President Gerald Ford expanded the length of the celebration from a week to a month.
Ms. Black is a Brooksville native and 1981 Hernando High School graduate. She happened to have also received the first Dr. Carter G. Woodson Award in 2007. Previous recipients have included former Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) President Dr. Robert W. Judson and former Hernando County School District educator Lorenzo Hamilton.
Imani Asukile, one of the individuals who spearheaded this event, is also a Brooksville native and former director of Global and Multicultural Services at PHSC. A press release that Mr. Asukile wrote a week before the ceremony stated, “Ruth has made a vocation of recording weddings, showers, reunions, birthdays, funerals, and other special events.”
At the ceremony, he introduced distinguished guests, including pastors of various churches, teachers and descendants of past influential African-American community leaders.
Members of the audience, led by Ms. Brenda J. Barker, joined in singing traditional spirituals such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and more modern songs such as “Kumbaya.”
Ms. Ronteryl M. Black gave a moving dramatic reading of “The Negro Mother” by Langston Hughes.
Pastor Nyika Taylor of Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church, where the event was held, lauded Ms. Black on her achievements−both professional and personal. She commented that Ms. Black is an overcomer, having risen above many challenges. Ms. Black, a breast cancer survivor, takes part in the Breast Cancer Walk each year and encourages everyone else along the way.
Pastor Taylor remarked that Ms. Black was a “woman who came from humble beginnings” and had little in the way of material things but “great in love and kindness.”
“Her faith in all the years I’ve known her has never been shaken. She had an abusive past, but it didn’t make her bitter. In fact, she became an encourager and a giver. She took her pain and made it her gain.”
Reverend Taylor continued, “Ruth is the woman behind the camera. We, as African Americans, understand the story of our ancestors through pictures. Today, we honor Ruth for the history she continues to bring, not only to Hernando, Pasco, and Hillsborough County but to our families and beyond.
In her acceptance speech, Ms. Black thanked the African American Heritage Society of East Pasco County for “honoring me for doing the things I love.”
She continued, “And if you ever need me and I’m not busy, I will be there!”
Ruth Lee Black is a shining example of the impact that one person can have on their community.
The AAHSEP is a 501 c3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to promote, research, preserve, interpret, and disseminate information about African American history and culture in East Pasco County, Florida. For details on membership and upcoming events log onto https://aahsepc.org.
Throughout the remainder of Black History Month, there will be a number of events. For example, on February 22, there will be a banquet at the Shrine Club−13400 Montour Street, Brooksville (off Sunshine Grove Rd.) in honor of Eloise Wright. Ms. Wright was a graduate of St. Leo University and an educator in the Hernando County school system. The event starts at 6 pm and admission cost is $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Call Cynthia Yvonne Williams at 352-515-6613 or email her at [email protected].
