Family and Friends Day 2026
APPRECIATING BLACK EXCELLENCE
Dr. William Cleveland
If you haven't heard, this is a story well worth hearing! We apologize for not including it during Famiy & Friends Day. Dr. William Cleveland is the son-in-law of long time Ben Hill servant leader, Marilyn Jennings. Please enjoy this heartwarming and inspiring story of endurance, passion, community, and purpose.
Dr. Ronald E. McNair
ANIMATED VIDEO:
EYES ON THE STARS (Animation)
In South Carolina, 1959, a nine-year old Black boy sat on a library counter refusing to leave until the librarian gave him his books. He did not care that the librarian had called the police. He was not phased that during this time in history, places of learning were staunchly segregated. He was unwavering as the police came marching in, confident that the knowledge he sought was rightfully his. And with courage and pride, Ronald E. McNair left the library unscathed with his books in hand, and his mother and brother by his side. Decades later, the Lake City Library would become the Dr. Ronald E. McNair Life History Center.
Bio
Dr. Ronald Erwin McNair, physicist, and NASA astronaut, was born in Lake City, South Carolina. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in physics from North Carolina A&T State University in 1971. While attending North Carolina A&T, he was initiated into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. through the Mu Psi Chapter during the Fall semester of 1969. In 1976, he earned his Ph.D. in laser physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
In 1978, Ronald was selected out of 10,000+ applicants to be 1 of 35 new NASA Space Shuttle astronauts. He successfully flew aboard the Challenger (STS- 41B) in February, 1984 as a Mission Specialist.
On his second mission into space, he died, along with six other crew members, shortly after launch, aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-51L) on January 28, 1986.
A number of public places have been named in honor of McNair, including NC A&T's Ronald E. McNair Hall (Engineering Bldg) and MIT's Ronald E. McNair Center for Space Research Building. Additionally, there are over 25 McNair elementary, middle and high schools throughout the United States.
The Honorable Glen D. Cunningham
The Second Person to be recognized is the Honorable Glen D. Cunningham, the late brother of Ben Hill Lay Leader, Dyanne Cunningham.
Glen was a man of many firsts – He was the First African-American U.S. Marshall for New Jersey; and, the First African-American Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey’s second largest city.
He was also a Decorated law enforcement professional having served as a Patrol Officer and Detective in the Jersey City Police Department, a Director of the Hudson County Department of Public Safety and a U.S. Marshal for New Jersey US Marine. Mr. Cunningham was clearly an accomplished law enforcement professional, politician, and public servant.
But like many great minds, he had diverse interests which included being an amateur historian -- writer of Jersey City historical articles in The Jersey Journal, and producer, writer and narrator of the video, Hidden Footprints, chronicling slavery and the Underground Railroad in his native and only residence, his beloved Jersey City. At the time of his death, Glenn Cunningham was researching and writing a book on the Underground Railroad and Jersey City, entitled, Next Stop, Freedom!l
We will never forget you. You did many amazing things, but mostly you loved people and they knew it!!!
ROBERT SHIPP, JR.
Robert Shipp, Jr. is the husband of Ben Hill member Carrie Shipp. Mr. Shipp was recently honored posthumously for his work as an Air Traffic Controller. After serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, Mr. Ship became one of the first African American controllers in the Federal Aviation Administration and, in 1968, the first African American Air Traffic Controller for Terre Haute Regional Airport.
Watch the video of Carrie & family at the awards ceremony.
The Sprott Family of Beaumont, Texas
The Sprott Family of Beaumont, Texas, for which Ben Hill member Larita Sprott is a member were civil activist and leaders in their community. In 1944, during segregation, two Beaumont brothers — Dr. Edward Daniel Sprott and Dr. Curtis Sprott — did something powerful! They opened Sprott Hospital, one of the few places where Black patients could receive quality medical care and Black doctors could actually practice.
It was a pioneering, historic Black-owned facility providing essential healthcare to African Americans that was denied to them due to segregation. And guess what? It still exists today! Recently, the hospital building was designated as a Texas Historical Landmark. We are grateful to families like the Sprotts who stood up to injustice and met racism with courage, ingenuity, and service.
More about the Sprott Family here:
Thank you Family & Friends!
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! ... For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore. Psalms 133
On behalf of the Ben Hill Lay Leadership team, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the church council and other members who participated in our Family & Friends Celebration of Unity event last Sunday. Despite the chilly weather, you showed unwavering dedication by bringing prepared meals or purchasing food from the food trucks, often waiting in line for extended periods. Thank you for your patience and kindness, which embodied the true spirit of Christianity.
-I would like to extend a special acknowledgement to Pastor Rhodes for his invaluable spiritual and financial support, which has been instrumental in the success of Family & Friends Day.
-I would also like to recognize Winsome Jean, Orlando Williams and his team, and Sabrina Norman, whose selfless contributions were vital to our efforts.'
-Furthermore, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for our amazing Emcee Sharon Diggs and to Patricia Allen for sharing her extraordinary musical talents, as well as her backup singers, led by Dr. Zina.
-I would be remiss if I did not commend our outstanding young adult ministry members, Morgan Finch, Courtney Peters, and Tiffany Wills, for leading the inspiring Black Excellence segment.
-Last but not least, I would like to express my gratitude to my team members, Cynthia Holland and Fred Hartfield for their exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to Family & Friends and to serving the God's kingdom.
Look forward to our next celebration of unity in May of 2027 with warmer weather and more great food trucks.
Peace, joy, and love, ♥️
Dyanne Cunningham
Ben Hill Lay Leader
