Museum marks Black History Month

By JIM BUSCH

For the Mon Valley Independent

The McKeesport History and Heritage Center invited the public to its Renziehausen Park museum for a special Black History Month presentation. More than 50 local residents attended the event Saturday, which not only celebrated the city’s African-American heritage, but also honored its veterans. 

McKeesport native Sherry Johnson opened the program with a prayer and by singing the inspirational anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” She was then joined by her daughter, Sherice Johnson, who spoke about the history of spirituals and their importance to the African-American community. Her presentation was brought to life by her mother’s renditions of “Pickin’ Cotton,” “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” “Wade in the Water” and “I Sing Because I’m Happy.” Impressed by Sherry Johnson’s voice and passionate delivery, the crowd gave the pair a boisterous round of applause. 

The program continued with a discussion of “The Wall That Heals: Bringing Love to Our Valley of Tears,” a video documenting the 2018 visit of a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial to McKeesport. Diane Richard, who hosted and produced the film, and Carl Truss, director and cinematographer, took the stage to talk about their work. They were joined by Yvonne Yager, widow of Walt Yager, who was instrumental in bringing the memorial to McKeesport. 

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