On February 18, First Calvary Baptist Church held their annual black history month celebration event. However, the organizers put together a block party at the church instead due to unforeseen circumstances instead of having a parade. During the block party, they had free food, business vendors, the first homecoming court from Clinton College and more.
Tynetta Moore, a southside community advocate, does a lot of community service for the United southside community. She has partnered with Reverand Buie Jr, First Calvary Baptist Church’s pastor for the past three years to have their annual parade.
“Reverend Buie has partnered with us for the last three years. And how we got started is that we had some people from the community get together. And we started what’s called the I Dream parade, or the I dream week in 2021. And so in 2021, we had our first march or parade on Proper road and the same thing for 2022. And now in 2023, we turned into a block party, because we had a couple of roadblocks and some policy changes,” Moore said. “So as I say, you make lemonade and lemon cake out of lemons. And so, you know, as a community advocate, you push forward.”
Moore sees this event as a chance for Black vendors and Black-led organizations to get their name out there and have a chance to shine as well as to show the community the amazing work they’ve been doing and what they have to offer.
“We basically go to different churches, we go to different businesses, we go to different organizations and say, ‘Hey, you know, partner up with this event, because it’s all about the community.’ It’s all about coming together. And so Pastor Buie and the First Calvary Baptist Church family has been with us since day one. And it’s been absolutely amazing,” Moore said, “He’s actually the chairperson of the pathways community board, and when I tell you, his heart is in the community, he is a mentor, he’s a teacher and he’s also a huge supporter.”
Moore highlighted some businesses and organizations that participated in the block party, such as the Nichols Family Foundation.
“So Jamie Nichols was a lawyer who sadly took his own life a couple of years ago, but he started a foundation with his family. And they continue their family foundation in honor of his memory and legacy, offering a $1,000 scholarship that high school seniors can apply for. And every fourth Sunday at Armory Park, they feed the community so those who need food can come to get a plate.”
Ricky Potts, who has lived in Rock Hill his whole life, and has been teaching soul dancing for almost 20 years, was also there to promote his classes.
“I started at home with my wife and kids. We had started line dancing at home and I told my wife that other people might want to learn this,” Potts said. “I started out with three members and now I’m up to about 65 to 70 members.”
Pott’s classes are only three dollars from Monday to Thursday and he can be found if you search Ric’s Dancercise Club on Facebook.
Sierra Hughes is a former elementary school counselor now turned baker at the party promoting her bakery business, Sweet Tooth By Si.
“I started Sweet Tooth officially in 2018. At first it was just an LLC. I was just doing it a lot on the weekends. But it got to the point where I had to tell people no more than yes, based on my availability. So during the pandemic, many people were still buying from me while we were stuck inside. So business was still booming. And long story short, it was a faith move. I was like, ‘Oh God, you want me to be a baker?’ I was already good, setting out the life I was ready to accomplish, but God had other plans,” Hughes said.
Her customers sung many praises when they tasted her cakes and cupcakes. You can find her cupcakes at @sweetoothbysi on Instagram.
