Black History Month is celebrated throughout town with a variety of galas, festivals and special sermons. St. Mary’s Community Church throws its own unique tradition into the mix with an educational, yet heartwarming tribute to African American heroes.
Last year the community came together at St. Mary’s to learn that everyone can make a difference in their own way. A unifying play featuring characters like Justice Thurgood Marshall, Nina Simone, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared how everyone has a talent and can change society by following their gifts.
This year the play is back, but now it will be entirely comprised of local legends. Titled, “Heavy is the Head that Wears the Crown,” the play will bring the stories of Plant City’s heroes to life.
Sadye Gibbs Martin, played by Commissioner Mary Mathis, James McDaniel, played by himself, Liesta Sykes, played by herself, E.L. Bing, played by Henry Davis, and Sam Cooper, played by Tony Mathis will be this year’s local heroes.
“We sat down and we tried to come up with people we knew either made a massive impact and were still alive or came up with people we knew had a relationship with the person that is now gone, but was such a trailblazer,” Sarah Governor, director of Education at St. Mary’s, said. “We’re also adding maybe two skits to this year’s performance. One is a skit from a woman in Lakeland. The other is one I wrote. It’s going to be quiet a show.”
Those being honored were well loved in the community and still have many faithful friends and loving family around. Governor said she hopes they will come out and see how much their loved one’s lives meant to Plant City, how much they still make an impact.
“I know the adults will get something out of this, even if it’s nothing but bringing back memories,” Governor said. “But what I’m hoping is the children, the young people that attend, I want them to know they don’t have to go away to do something. Look at your community right here. There is a need in Plant City. Look at that need, identify that need. Don’t be a part of the problem, be a part of solving that problem. Look at Sayde Gibbs, look at Jim McDaniel, they jumped in there when they saw a need and we are still seeing their impact.”
Hearing the skits, which this year have been written by the actors themselves rather than Governor since she said they all know the true impact of either their lives or the lives of their friends, will hopefully cause viewers to redirect their lives and spark a resurgence of community activism.
Governor said a monumental partnership to pull off the touching tribute next week is all in thanks to the assistance of the Bing Rooming House Museum. The museum has collected a vast array of photographs and items pertaining to legendary community heroes. William Thomas Jr., president of the Improvement League of Plant City, has worked around the clock to gather photos of all of the featured people for the play.
St. Mary’s is opening its doors to the community for the tribute on Feb. 24 starting at 3 p.m. Church attire is recommended, but all are welcome to attend.
“They can go worship at their church then go out to eat a nice dinner and come here and enjoy a wonderful tribute,” Governor said. “This is something we hope to do every single year.”
If you go
“Heavy is the Head that Wears the Crown”
When: Feb. 24 at 3 p.m.
Where: St. Mary’s Community Church, 904 E Renfro St.
Cost: Free