Lift Every Voice and Sing-Umoja Village Celebrates Black History Month

“Lift every voice and sing” and “We shall overcome” rang through Aiken’s Lessie Price Senior and Youth Center Sunday afternoon as Aiken’s Umoja Village celebrated the beginning of Black History Month.  Around 300 people sang with Chris Parker and Friends as they performed both songs during the third annual Umoja Village Community Celebration of Black History Month. 

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Paige Isaac
Umoja Village Holds 3rd Annual Black History Month Celebration

AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - Umoja Village brought the Aiken community together for its 3rd Annual Black History Month community celebration. The night was filled with music, dancing, and awards, but most importantly a message for those young and old on standing up for black history month: if not now, when? Umoja village broke in the first weekend of black history month by acknowledging community leaders with food, soul, a good time, and staying focused on the path ahead.

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Paige Isaac
Partner Spotlight-Umoja Village

Founded by Donald and Donna Wesby on June 19, 2020, Umoja Village is a South Carolina-based charitable organization encompassing a strategic alliance of Blacks and African Americans united with a common goal: Unifying underserved populations and the entire community to bring about positive and sustainable change. 

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Paige Isaac
Training Program Gives Participants Skills for Career in Renewable Energy

While holding back tears, Christopher Grissom said his prayers have been answered since he started going to a job training program focused on renewable energy. “I am just grateful that I am here and learning every day,” he said. Grissom is one of many scholars who have benefited from the EMERGE and Solar United National Job Training Program. The program, which is due to a partnership between Umoja Village, The Imani Group and SUN, provides paid training for careers in the renewable energy sector.

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Paige Isaac
New Solar Training Program Helps Fill Gaps in the Industry

In 2022, the National Solar Jobs Census reported more than 5,000 positions filled in the state, and that number is expected to rise 10 percent by the end of this year. Across the river in Aiken, two non-profits are introducing a first-of-its-kind job training program called the Solar United National Job Force Training Program.

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Paige Isaac