Celebration honors musicians, supports Rhoda Martin center

By Maggie FitzRoy

maggie.fitzroy@jacksonville.com

February is traditionally Black History Month.

But it's not well known that June is traditionally the month to honor black music and musicians?

"In 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed it into celebration, and called it Black Music Month," said Lillie Sullivan, president of the Jacksonville Beach Elementary Preservation Fund Inc., which operates the Rhoda L. Martin Cultural Heritage Center in Jacksonville Beach. "Now, under President Barack Obama, it is called African American Music Appreciation Month. It celebrates "all the genres of African American music, which encompass jazz, contemporary, gospel, blues, traditional gospel, hip hop, urban gospel, and rhythm and blues."

June is also the anniversary month of the opening of the Rhoda L. Martin Center in Jacksonville Beach, which is named in honor of a former slave who was a leader in the black Beaches community for many years. So Jacksonville Beach Preservation Fund leaders held A History of African American Music Celebration June 9 to raise money for the center, which opened six years ago, and to pay tribute to five Beaches musicians who have made a difference in their community.

The event took place at Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach, and included songs and piano performances from a variety of black musicians, as well as award presentations. The Hope Chapel Mass Choir from Jacksonville sang several selections and Tarra Jones sang several solos.

"Music offers a vibrant sound track of our people," said Elizabeth Olatunji, one of the speakers.

Three of the honored Beaches musicians played piano and sang after receiving awards. They included Erich Jackson, a pastor affiliated with Greater Faith Christian Ministries; Rev. Mattie W. Freeman, affiliated with Friendship Baptist Church for 46 years; and Elijah Freeman (no relation), a church elder who has served 16 area churches since moving to the Beaches in 1950.

Two of the honored musicians are deceased. Johnny Riggins was ordained a deacon in 1990 and served as minister of music at most of the black Beaches churches. Elliott Finkley was known as "The Drummer of the Beaches," and served as church drummer at many black Jacksonville churches. Family members accepted awards for Riggins and Finkley.

Community leaders who presented awards included Peggy Johnson, Mable Bass, Myrtle Collins, Marjorie Holloway, Nell Johnson and Gary Sullivan. Bishop Percy Golden gave a speech before a collection was taken to raise funds for the center, which offers after-school programs for area youth.

A long-time volunteer at the center also was honored for her nonmusical contributions to the after-school program. Alma Hoffman was dedicated to helping children improve reading skills until she had a stroke about a year ago. Her health has improved and she now plans to come back to the center in her wheelchair.

Several children and center leaders honored her with flowers and speeches at the joyous musical celebration.

Maggie FitzRoy can be reached at (904) 302-3394.