The Black History Pageant returns

ST. PETERSBURG — In 31 years as a reporter, columnist and editorial writer at the St. Petersburg Times, Peggy Mitchell Peterman helped change the face of the newspaper and the community.

Mrs. Peterman passed away in 2004; however, her legacy lives on through the thousands of lives she touched in her annual production of the Black History Pageant, which she founded in 1970.

The 2018 production was held Sunday, Feb. 25 at The Rock of Jesus Missionary Baptist Church. The play was directed by Corey Givens Jr., who participated in the pageant himself as a child under the direction of Mrs. Peterman.

This year’s theme was “Local Civil Rights Trailblazers.” The production was sponsored by The Rock of Jesus Missionary Baptist Church Youth Ministry.

“Peggy Peterman served as our first assistant pastor here at The Rock. We wanted to recognize her legacy and commemorate the works or her and the many other unsung voices of the Civil Rights Movement here in St. Petersburg,” said Givens, the youth ministry director at The Rock.

Seventeen youth participated in this year’s Black History Pageant; ages ranged from 3 to 16.

Rev. Frank Peterman Jr., pastor of The Rock of Jesus and eldest son of the late Rev. Peggy Peterman, praised the youth for their rendition of African songs and spoken word.

“These children have done an amazing job retelling the stories of my mother, Rev. Enoch Davis, C. Bette Wimbish, Charley Williams, Fannye Ponder and Elder Jordan. We teach our kids their stories so that they will never have to repeat or relive their struggles.”

The Rock of Jesus Youth Ministry will be taking their skit on the road in the next coming weeks. If your church or auxiliary would like to feature the short black history sketch during your service or event, please call (727) 327-0015.