‘Chocolate Hour’ program celebrates black history through the richness of art

DOVER, Del. – “Art is our culture,” Dr. Mishoe said.

Since 1988, The Dover Chapter of The Links Incorporated has celebrated black history through arts in their annual Chocolate Hour program. “That’s a way that we preserve it is by sharing it with the generation that come. The storytelling,” Immediate Past President Dr. Wilma Mishoe said.

“Very little of it is written down in terms of the wealth of our culture, so we have to share it and we share it through the arts.”

Founded in 1946 by two friends, The Links Inc. is an international non-profit organization made up only African American women.  The organization has a focus on both friendship and community service.

They provide programming to the community under five areas of focus which include the Arts, Services to Youth, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, Health and Human Services.

The event isn’t just about the sweets, as creatives of all ages come together for an afternoon that highlights several arts forms. “Some of them that may not be strong academically or open up to talk to people, when they sing it allows them to open up. I encourage them to sing like no one else can hear you. By doing that, it encourages them to step up and do other things,” Fairview and Heartly Elementary Music Teacher Rhonda Davis-Braddy said.

Jennae Overton is a Middletown High School Junior who wrote several pieces of poetry surrounding themes of leadership, justice for youth, and violence against African American women. “I believe that black history is something that should be shared and be preserved throughout all of history. I also love writing, so really bringing those two together really sparks a difference,” Overton said.

Organizers say the celebration helps those passionate about their art foster and develop their talents which will also be important for their futures. “I happen to believe if we focus more on the artistic skills and abilities of everyone it would certainly, I think reduce some of the other societal problems,”

The organization has several other initiatives planned throughout Black History Month and encourages the community to get involved.

To find out more about that chapter, click here