Justin Hall, correspondent
The Bryan County Chapter of the NAACP #5648 held their second annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Prayer Breakfast at the Richmond Hill Wetlands Center this past Saturday, June 21.
Many dignitaries were there in attendance to celebrate overcoming obstacles to being free and what the journey has personally meant to them.
One of the biggest supporters there was Mayor Russ Carpenter who shared his insights with what the Bryan County Chapter is doing to raise awareness of Juneteenth.
"The NAACP are very active in our community," Mayor Carpenter said. "It doesn't matter if you're white or black, we're just celebrating an awesome holiday."
Luella Sanders is the President of the Bryan County Chapter and she welcomed those who came out to be a part of the festivities. Sanders stated that an event such as the Prayer Breakfast provided an opportunity to bring community closer together and the response was overwhelming.
"We want to celebrate our collective freedom," Sanders said. "The highlights are having so many people from different backgrounds, cultures and diversities."
Dr. Johnnie Quiller from Lotus of Love gave the message at the breakfast. Quiller is part of an organization that serves cancer survivors, caregivers and those personally affected by cancer.
She read out various statistics of people who will get cancer in their lifetime, those who have unfortunately succumbed to cancer and the number of those who have fought cancer and beat it.
"In 2025, two million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States," Dr. Quiller said. "Nearly 40 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives."
Dr. Quiller is a cancer survivor herself of Stage 1 breast cancer complete with 20 rounds of radiation and she gave a ray of hope.
"Approximately 18 million are living with a cancer history. With those statistics, it underscores the need for an organization like Lotus of Love."
Dr. Quiller is a graduate of Liberty University with a Doctorate of Ministry degree and Lotus for Love is a community based, nonprofit organization. She was compelled to form this organization to focus on survivors. For more information, her website is www.lotusoflovecancer.org.
Other guests at the breakfast included Pastor Hubert Quiller of Restoration Worship Center who provided music for the event and sang two songs: "My Soul Has Been Anchored" and "God's Got a Blessing With Your Name On It."
Julie Pecenka led a libation ceremony honoring the memories of those who were former slaves.
Bernadette China read out of Galatians 3:28, Marissa Arnold sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing," and there was also a reading of the poem "Freedom" by Langston Hughes by Patti Hewitt, the Executive Director of Coastal Georgia People's PAC.
Prayers for the youth of Bryan County were also included by Jack Caldwell, Director of Youth Ministries from Church of the Hill. Another prayer was spoken for first responders and the Armed Forces by retired SFC Cliff Rash and his wife SSG Donna Rash.
Pastor Elisha Boyd from Emmanuel Christian Church led a prayer for the MLK Committee as well as the U.S. She encouraged more people to join the committee and also announced that MLK Observance Season in Bryan County would begin in October. There will also be a black tie gala and concert with an unspecified date.