Event keeps history alive and emphasizes importance of legacy
Among a sea of purple, green, and gold decorations, more than 400 seniors representing 21 of Hillsborough County's senior centers and dining and activity centers celebrated black heritage with food, song, and dance. The annual Black Heritage Celebration, hosted by Aging Services, brings together seniors from diverse backgrounds and different centers to celebrate a collective history in a melding of cultures and nationalities. Above all, it gives seniors an opportunity to mix and mingle with their peers.
Much of the tradition and history of Mardi Gras is rooted in New Orleans' rich African American culture, making the world-renowned festival the perfect theme. Many of the seniors embraced the theme by dressing in the traditional colors, donning masks and accessorizing with feathers, beads, and glitter. In keeping with the traditional Mardi Gras parade, each center's contingent staged its own parade onto the dance floor to a song they chose, with each group dressed to represent their center.
The Black Heritage Celebration opened with an impromptu choir singing acapella, followed by reflection and remarks. At 95, Bellona Stephen, a member of the Gardenville Senior Dining & Activity Center shared a poem about friendship that a friend had given her as a memento from Jamacia. There was no shortage of friendship, which is a valuable part of this celebration that provides camaraderie and connectiveness for seniors who often experience loneliness. Multiple studies indicate that seniors who remain mentally and physically active and socially engaged live longer, healthier lives. The seniors in attendance certainly embodied that.
No celebration would be complete without music and dancing - no partner needed as the seniors flooded onto the dance floor for line dancing, another tradition rooted in African American culture. Line dancing has been around for centuries as many cultures used synchronized dancing to tell stories, conduct rituals, celebrate, and connect.
While the seniors came to celebrate Black Heritage, they left with another memory to add to their collection.