Stephany Giles of Zion First Baptist Church began Black History Month by introducing three influential and notable figures in black history with the words: ' Rosa sat so Martin could stand. Martin stood so Barack could run. Barack ran so our children could fly.'

And as, the youth at Middletown's Zion First Baptist Church speak on people who prevail in black history, on each Sunday in the month February, Rev. Carleton J. Giles, pastor couldn't help but say: 'What an excellent time to be celebrating Black History Month - on the heels of electing our first black president.'

On Sunday, Travon Jenkins, 17, Taryan Jenkins, 20, and Bianca Aponte, 16, each stood up in front of the congregation and spoke about influential black musicians. Holding a trumpet, Travon, as Louis Armstrong, spoke at length about the jazz musician and singer, who profoundly influenced jazz and popular music before his death in
1971.

He then passed on the trumpet to his brother, Taryan, who portrayed Wynton Marsalis, another jazz musician and composer and was also Lincoln Centre's musical director of jazz. Taryan, who has been playing trumpet in church since he was 8-years old, also played for President Barack Obama at the White House on Inauguration Day.

Aponte spoke about contemporary singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, whose debut album 'Songs in A Minor' sold more than 11-million copies worldwide.

Next week, Barack and Michelle Obama (Emmanuel Keiler and Samia Belin), Oprah Winfrey (Maggie Dempsey) will be portrayed, with Nat Turner (James Keiler), Harriet Tubman (Asia Davis), Rosa Parks (Jasmine Keiler) and Martin Luther King Jr. (Dwayne Hurt) being spoken on 15th February.

Two youth praise dance groups will celebrate Black History Month on the last Sunday in February by performing at Zion First Baptist Church .

The first time Black History Month has featured this particular programme, all those involved, say it is the best way to teach children their history, so that they can pass it on to others.