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Raleigh’s Davie Street Presbyterian Church Features Historian, Archivist Dr. Darin J Waters, Ph.D. for 2024 Black History Month Service 

By W. Calvin Anderson

Raleigh, NC February 4, 2024 -- On Sunday, February 11, 2024, Davie Street Presbyterian Church (DSPC) will host its annual Black History Month celebratory church service in royal African attire, and feature keynote speaker Darin J. Waters, Ph.D. Dr. Waters is an accomplished historian and community engagement specialist. He is well prepared to commemorate the historic Black History Month service at the 155-year-old capitol city, Davie Street Presbyterian Church in a rare and relevant way. 

Dr. Darin Waters is deputy secretary for the Office of Archives and History in the State of North Carolina. He oversees the operations of the divisions of State History and Maritime Museums, State Historic Sites and Properties, Archives and Records, Historical Resources (including the State Historic Preservation Office, Office of Historical Research, and the Office of State Archaeology), and commissions (including Roanoke Island Festival Park and Tryon Palace), education and outreach.

The “Negro History Week”, which has become known as “Black History Month”, is a national acknowledgement, and creative educational showcase of the significant contributions of African Americans in American History. The February historical initiative and celebration was organized, in 1926, by Carter G. Woodson, Ph.D. Dr. Woodson was also the founder of the Association for the Study of African American History and an acclaimed Harvard University graduate and sociologist. 

Today it is creatively and educationally a public, state, county, city, neighborhood, and private family opportunity to review, highlight, and renew pride in historic socio-political and economic themes like, “I AM a Man” to “I TOO AM an American” for more than one day showing appreciation for the vast historic and contemporary contributions of African Americans in the U.S. 

Black History is American history, as enslaved and free Africans have been the labor, partners to inventions in agriculture, Pidgeon trade languages and inventions; advocates and military, and ready associates developing American constitutional interest and growth and development of cities and wealth even prior our great nation’s 243-year history. African American studies today can survey and inventory contributions ranging from cultural, statutory civic health, all-of-military-history, American labor, government leadership, and professional health sciences to advanced sciences and technologies, businesses, and the professional artistic and entertainment genres and fields significantly influenced by African Americans.

Black History Month along with all other publicly and privately “supported” ethnic and cultural national celebrations in the U.S. evidence that, appreciation exists, for diversity, equity, and inclusion. American traditional “indivisible and inalienable” human and civic values -- have been the unique and continuous attraction for scores of different and diverse international immigrants who have come to our nation to support our model Democracy, advancing our modern societal creedal ideas, and “world-class” SMART cities -- making our nation, our national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and our economy -- the best in the world.

Davie Street Presbyterian Church is located at 300 East Davie Street in the downtown of the capitol city of Raleigh, North Carolina. It is a revered Black church with legendary leaders who have served the city in state and city government, colleges and universities, technology fields, legal firms, law enforcement, sports, public school teaching and administration, diverse business interests, professional health care, and faith-based outreach ministries for over 155-years. 

The Davie Street Men’s Council and the congregation of Davie Street Presbyterian Church welcomes visitors to join the 11 am worship service on Sunday, February 11, 2024.