February is Black History Month, and this year, as usual, numerous events and activities have been scheduled which commemorate and celebrate the contributions made to this nation by people of African descent. One in particular caught my eye: the 6th Annual W E B Du Bois Tribute, with a Salute to Dr Randolph Bromery, which was held this sunny, late winter afternoon at St John’s Congregational Church in Springfield. One of the oldest black churches in New England, St John’s has a storied history which continues to this day. In fact, the current building complex where the program was held is a brand new worship facility, opened as of this year.
Over a hundred of us came together for an afternoon of Performing Arts, Culture and History, and Fellowship, which was planned by students from Beta Sigma Boule, Springfield College, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and Westfield State University. Josh Odam from U Mass and Emmet Witherspoon from Westfield were the emcees for this beautiful and inspiring program, as outlined below.
Processional – “We are marching in the light of God” – Westfield State Chamber Chorale
Purpose – Brooks Fitch
St John’s and Du Bois Connection – Dean Gretchen Holbrook Gerzina
“Change is Gonna Come” and “Total Praise” – Springfield College Community Choir
” . . . and there a stillness fell upon them” – Springfield College Repertory Dance Company
W E B Du Bois for Kids video
Offering
Top Flight Step Team – Westfield State University
“I Dream a World” and “Daniel Servant of the Lord” – Westfield State Chamber Chorale
Bromery Family Reflections – Dennis Bromery
Funana – Cape Verdean Student Alliance of UMass Amherst
Insanely Prestigious Step Team – UMass Amherst
Closing Remarks – Pastor Calvin McFadden
In his introductory remarks, Brooks Fitch exhorted the audience to be engaged, to do something. As we learn more about the lives of leaders like W E B Du Bois (1868-1963) and Randolph Bromery (1926-2013), we should remember that Dr Du Bois declared, “We must act.” A native of Western Mass, W E B Du Bois was the first African-American to earn a doctorate from Harvard; he was a pioneer in the academic fields of sociology and history, as well as a playwright, poet, novelist, cultural critic, and an early civil rights leader. Distinguished educator Randolph Bromery was instrumental in bringing the Du Bois papers to U Mass and in the successful drive to name the U Mass Tower Library the W E B Du Bois Library. Dr Bromery was a geologist and geophysicist; his educational leadership positions included President of Springfield College and Westfield State and Chancellor of UMass Amherst.
Dr Gerzina confessed that she is a daughter of St John’s; she was baptized in the church and sang in the choir. However, she was anxious to see the world and left home at eighteen, not really expecting to be back in the Pioneer Valley. But life is full of surprises, and she is now Dean of the Commonwealth Honors College at U Mass.
Of all the singers and dancers, I liked the Westfield State Chorale the best. Their performance was very polished and professional. The two step dancing teams were full of energy, and I must confess that I didn’t know stepping was a thing. These dance pieces reminded me of the Samoan fa’ataupati, which I am familiar with having grown up in a Polynesian culture. The Cape Verdean funaná was new to me, and the couple who danced it were quite good.
My colleague Dennis Bromery spoke on behalf of the Bromery family, who were all in the audience. He noted that his father grew up in segregated Cumberland, Maryland, and during World War II served an a Tuskegee Airman. After the war, he attended Howard University on the GI Bill and later worked for the USGS. His interest in science and math led him to pursue advanced degrees. Upon earning his doctoral degree in 1968, he joined the U Mass Geology Department the following year and remained associated with the campus for forty years. Even today, his legacy continues with the awarding of the Randolph Bromery Community Scholarships.