By Vareva Harris, Co-Owner and Jeremy Handel, Staff Writer
Black History Month is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of Blacks in America. Each year the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History (ASALH) publishes a theme for Black History Month. The theme for Black History Month 2021 is The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity. “The black family has been a topic of study in many disciplines—history, literature, the visual arts and film studies, sociology, anthropology, and social policy. Its representation, identity, and diversity have been reverenced, stereotyped, and vilified from the days of slavery to our own time,” ASALH.org.
The accomplishments of Blacks have occurred despite systemic racism and persistent injustice through faith, determination, sacrifice, and love of a community determined to survive and thrive. Success in education, business, and public service are cornerstones of progress. In Woodruff, like in America, although there is much more progress needed, there is much to celebrate.
Leaders like Kenneth Gist, Mayor of the City of Woodruff, and Melvin Brewton, Chairman of Spartanburg School District Four have raised their families and served our community for decades and continue to lead in ways that help forge a better future for all they serve. Highlighted in their responses below are various aspects about the importance of family, representation, and diversity.
Mr. Kenneth Gist:
What does the importance of family mean to you?
The importance of family means a lot to me. My family has always been supportive of and encouraging to me my entire life. Growing up my mother and
grandmother showed unconditional love and sacrifices to provide for me and my nine siblings. I played sports in school and I could always depend on family attendance and commitment to my many sporting events. I have built strong family values with my wife, children, and grandchildren. We are loving and supportive of one another. We spend quality time together during holidays and birthdays. My family is the foundation of who I have become in life.
How has family been a driver in your life and career?
I grew up watching numerous family members: my mother, grandmother, and uncles work hard and make sacrifices providing for their families. That inspired me to want to work hard, be successful, and provide for my own family. Family values drove me to pursue a college degree. Growing up, I watched my dad build his funeral home business from the ground up and became a respected businessman in the community. In later years, my father became the first African-American elected as a Spartanburg School District Four Board Member.
What has the black family meant to the growth and history of Woodruff?
Some of the oldest historians in Woodruff were and are African-Americans citizens. I was blessed to know one amazing elder, Willie Irene Floyd, who died at 108 years old and lived through the 1900’s Pandemic. She shared memories and history about that time with me and other stories of how black families lived and struggled during her time. Generations of black families still reside in the Woodruff community which helps our community to continue growing and thriving.
Mr. Melvin Brewton:
What does the importance of family mean to you?
Family is important to me because without the love and support of my immediate family, I would not have become the person that I am today. My parents, Marion and Frances Brewton, taught me that it’s not what you have or how much you have but be thankful for what you do have. They also taught me to be thankful for who you have in your life and to respect people because your character will determine your path and accomplishments in life. Along with my parents, my siblings have been loving and supportive throughout my life. Not only has my immediate family been important in my life, but my church family has also played a very important part in my life. My immediate family and my church family taught me the importance of putting God first.
How has family been a driver in your life and career?
My family understood the importance of education and working for what you wanted in life. I understood that it didn’t matter how many points I scored in a basketball game if I hadn’t done my best in the classroom. We only had to have that conversation once. I carried that same mindset on to college where I met my wife and former principal of Woodruff Elementary School, Argyl Brewton. We also taught our children, Khori and Erica the importance of education and hard work.
What has the black family meant to the growth and history of Woodruff?
The best way I can answer this question is to name a few people who opened doors and opportunities for other Black men and women in the Woodruff community.
-Mr. W. J. Gist – First Black School Board Trustee of District Four, business owner, and City Council member
-Mr. Kenneth Gist – (son of Mr. W. J. Gist) First Black Mayor of Woodruff and business owner
-Ms. Sandy Norman- First Black Female School Board Trustee of District Four
-Ms. Argyl Brewton – First Black Female Principal of District Four
-Mr. Joe”Shorty”Suber – former business owner
-Rev. Derrick Scurry – current business owner and City of Woodruff Chaplain
The names above are just a small number who have shown what you can accomplish regardless of the obstacles that may be in your way. These people have shown that you can be a Black person in the Woodruff community as long as you work hard and treat all people with respect. Diversity has been and will be instrumental in the future growth of the Woodruff community, but we have to do it work together with respect for everyone.
