For over three decades, Dr. Joan Hillsman, former Washington, D.C. resident and music educator, began a program within her church, New Southern Rock Baptist Church in Washington, D. C. under the auspices of its Music Department. This eventually became a popular venue for the community, as they would come together for at least one hour to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King, through speeches, music, poetry and dance.
“The audience has grown over the years, and the community looks forward to this event by their participation”, says Dr. Hillsman. The Pastor, Dr. Rudolph White, and committee headed by Trustee Walter Young, Ermyn Roberts, and other participants have used the funds to support the King Center for Social Justice in Atlanta, Georgia, and later to the Dr. King Memorial on the Mall in Washington, D. C. Dr. Hillsman relocated to Syracuse, New York.
Last year one of the prominent churches in Syracuse and its congregation, Tucker Missionary Baptist Church, collaborated and held a service at the same time as Washington, D.C., and the two did audio/video clips of the simultaneous celebrations. “It was an outstanding service’, stated Eric Dickson, program coordinator at Tucker, and Minister of Music.
Well, Dr. Hillsman is on her way, still working on the dream. This time an added feature is to pick up materials from the prominent Ebenezer Church in Atlanta, Georgia for distribution to programs commemorating Dr. King, upon request from Joan Hillsman’s Music Network, Inc. (JHMN), as a resource.
For further information on ideas to start “A Day On-Not a Day Off”, email: jhillsman@twcny.rr.com. Dr. Hillsman received a Community Service Award last year at the Annual Service in DC for her dedicated works there and beyond.
