by Jasmin T.
On Sunday February 23, 2025 neighbors, families and friends of all ages came together in person for a celebration of Black History and Culture. After a six year hiatus, River View Towers’ community room got “breathed back to life” and thanks to the late afternoon timing of the event, folks were still able to make it to church. History, pride and legacy filled the room to the tune of at least 70 attendees ranging from 5 to (well, er, uh) 95 years of age.
Reminiscent of Dr. Onita Estes-Hicks’ annual Read-In Chain, which she tirelessly produced at River View for 25 years, we all sat audience-style, watched and learned.
Sister Patricia Watler-Johnson led us in prayer and took little credit for inviting our elected officials, New York State Assembly Member Jordan J.G. Wright and New York City Council Member Shaun Abreu to share remarks. Mercedes Nesfield hosted the show, recruited and directed our in-house talent, and insisted that Dr. Onita Estes-Hicks’ former student and long time reader, Terry Lewis, also read this year. Terry gave his all when channeling Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “Street Sweeper” and you could feel Dr. King’s timeless message in Terry’s voice.
Hosted by the Committee of Concern, the program consisted of music selections from Cynthia Scott: “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson and “Dream For One Bright World” by Ms. Scott, and Nikki Giovanni’s “Rosa Parks,” read and performed by our young neighbors: Damaris Acosta, Natalia Alejo, Majour Hampton, and Mekayla M. Moses. The afternoon also featured a dance performance by 9 year-old Journei Irvin, “God Gave Me Feet For Dancing,” and a reading appropriately named for the program’s theme: “Unsung Heroes of Black History” by 9 year-old Jamie Baxter. Having Emme Kemp to spontaneously bless us in song added to the specialness of the event.
The highlight of the program was presenting the RVT Black History Legacy Award to our Dr. Onita Estes-Hicks, Ph.D., whose academic accomplishments include, but are not narrowed to, receiving her undergraduate, masters, and PhD from Columbia University, serving on the faculty at the State University of New York for 35 years, and retiring as Distinguished Teaching Professor and chair of the English Department. While at SUNY, Dr. Hicks received the Chancellor’s Excellence in Teaching Award and helped implement SUNY’s first mandated courses on racism and sexism. She is an esteemed scholar with a love for community and a passion for Black History.
“Big Judy” Eason presented the award to Dr. Onita Estes-Hicks in recognition of her commitment and contribution to the intellectual and cultural life of the River View Towers community and beyond. When asked how Dr. Hicks felt about the presentation she said, “Everything was lovely. I was deeply touched,” and so true to form she added, “I have some ideas for other things we can do here in the building.”
Mercedes Nesfield also blessed us with her vocals and led the entire audience with the “Freedom Medley” finale and everyone enjoyed refreshments afterwards. Linda Lewis donated educational puzzles highlighting our Unsung Heroes for attendees to take home.
Many, many thanks to the team behind the scenes who refused to go another year without acknowledging Black History at River View Towers: Mercedes Nesfield, Alexis Morton, Patricia Watler-Johnson, Linda Lewis, Orundun Dacosta Johnson, Wonda Graves, Beverly Ward. Gratitude for the artwork donated by Ali Canty, Charlene Davis, Patricia Watler-Johnson, and Tomaisha Ancrum.
***Part II of the Black History Program was an afternoon showing of Netflix’ “The Six Triple Eight,” a film about the largest group of Black servicewomen to serve overseas during World War II (which was also shown on 3/12/25 in honor of Women’s History Month)
Photos and video by Henry Alejo; additional photos by Jasmin Thames, Pat Watler-Johnson, Alexis Morton
RVT Voices 
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