'One big happy family': First African American Community Celebration held at SONC

The event celebrated African American history in Ormond Beach, as well as honored those who have been unable to leave their homes in the past due to COVID-19.

By Jarleene Almenas
| 12:00 p.m. May 10, 2021

Event organizers Joe Daniels, Rosalyn Hall and Mickey Rawls. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Police Chief Jesse Godfrey, Daytona Beach Black Nurses Association President Sharon James, Joe Daniels, City Commissioner Rob Littleton, Association Chaplain Maline Walker and City Manager Joyce Shanahan. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Rose Byrd Henderson sings a solo during the first African American Community Celebration at the South Ormond Neighborhood Center on Saturday, May 8. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Apostle Charles Freeman of the Church of Jesus Apostolic Faith in Ormond Beach is honored as the city's oldest minister by Mayor Bill Partington. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

City Commissioner Rob Littleton, Mayor Bill Partington, Apostle Charles Freeman, his wife Barbara and son Pastor Charlie Freeman. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Eleanor Jackson serves up lunch to the attendees of the first African American Community Celebration at the South Ormond Neighborhood Center on Saturday, May 8. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Janet Bryant serves food for the first African American Community Celebration at the South Ormond Neighborhood Center on Saturday, May 8. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Joe Daniels said the African American community in Ormond is "one big happy family," and 3-year-old Jayce is part of that family. Photo by Jarleene Almenas

Ormond Beach Observer
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Joe Daniels has lived in Ormond Beach since 1939.

Growing up, the African American community was small, but tight-knit. If they weren't family by blood, they were family by association, and recently, as he reminisced on old days past, Daniels realized that there were many of those family members he hadn't seen in a long time. Due to the pandemic, some of them were unable to leave their nursing homes, or others, sheltering in place at their homes.

He couldn't remember a time where the community, particularly those living in the historically-black Sudan and Liberia communities, hadn't been able to share in each other's company. He decided that needed to change.

"Ormond Beach we are one big happy family," Daniels said. "We’re unified. We love one another, we get along fine and we’re just a nice community.”

Daniels, by word of mouth, started gathering individuals to help put together the first African American Community Celebration at the South Ormond Neighborhood Center on Saturday, May 8. They put out flyers, handled transportation needs for the honorees that needed help getting to SONC, and got together a crew to cook lunch.

Mayor Bill Partington also recognized the city's oldest minister with a proclamation. Apostle C.R. Freeman, 86, established the Church of Jesus Apostolic Faith at 131 S. Washington St. 42 years ago, making him a pivotal part of the local African American community.

Partington said everyone in Ormond should be aware of the contributions, struggles and history of its black community.

"You have a rich history in Ormond Beach, and that rich history should be celebrated," Partington said. "That’s the whole purpose of today — that’s why today is a wonderful event.”