Black History Month and the Digital Age

Rosetta Catherine Lillard

February is Black History Month! My new book, SOCIAL MEDIA AND MINISTRY Sharing The Gospel In The Digital Age is dedicated to the memory of Rev. Dr. Rosetta Catherine Lillard (July 29,1927 – August 7, 2009). And that’s a good segue to Black History Month!

Rev. Dr. Rosetta Catherine Lillard was one of twelve (12) children born to godly parents, Joseph “Papa” and Georgia “Mama” Smith. Rosetta grew up in the historic Truxtun section of Portsmouth, Virginia.  Truxtun was the first black planned community in America! It was created in 1919 by the United States Housing Corporation to provide housing for African Americans employed at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard during the mobilization of World War I.

Truxtun had its own town manager, Fred McCracken, who had the distinction of being the only African American town manager in the United States at that time! (See Black America Series, Portsmouth, Virginia, by Cassandra Newby-Alexander Ph.D, Mae Breckenridge-Haywood, and the African American Historical Society of Portsmouth.)

The picture above is that of a young Rosetta Lillard in Truxtun, circa 1939. Rosetta Catherine Lillard would go on from Truxtun to become a broadcaster, and outstanding preacher. Along the way, she would gain two Doctorate degrees in ministry: a Doctor of Divinity, and a Doctor of Humanities in Ministry!

Dr. Mark E. Dean  (born March 2, 1957 in Jefferson City, TN) is an African American computer scientist and inventor.  He was instrumental in the invention of the PC, personal computer! Dr. Dean led the team that developed the ISA bus that enables multiple devices, such as modems and printers, to be connected to personal computers.  

Dr. Dean holds three of IBM’s original nine PC patents. He currently holds more than 20 patents. Dr. Dean led the team that was responsible for creating the first one gigahertz computer processor chip! In 1997, he was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Dr. Dean, one of the most prominent inventors in the field of computer science, is the first African American to be named an IBM Fellow, the highest level of technical excellence at the company.  Dr. Mark E. Dean, definitely, has made significant contributions to the field of digital technology. In so doing, Dr. Dean has helped to shape the Digital Age, and  many of the social media applications we have today! 

Which African Americans can you name who have made major contributions to the the Digital Age?  

Until next time, remember, you can do all things thru Christ Jesus!

Be Blessed!

Kenneth Lillard

Happy Mother’s Day Rev. Dr. Rosetta C. Lillard

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12 (KJV) 

Sunday, May 9th is Mother’s Day. On this occasion I wish to pay homage to my loving mother,  Rev. Dr. Rosetta Catherine  Lillard  (July 29, 1927 – August 7, 2009), a Mighty Woman of God. 

Rev. Dr. Rosetta Catherine Lillard

While U. S. President Woodrow Wilson established  Mother’s Day, the second Sunday in May, as a national holiday in 1914, the Bible, in Exodus 20:12, tells us there is a blessing in honoring “thy mother” (and father)! 

Rev. Dr. Rosetta Catherine Lillard was a great preacher, speaker, and teacher. Not only was she my Mother, but she was also my Mentor in the Ministry, and Encourager-in-Chief. Rev. Rosetta Lillard was truly a shining example of love and dedication to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, her family, and the community at large. 

One of my mother’s most astonishing accomplishments  was her amazing mastery of the computer at the age of 75! Within a few months of being introduced to it, Mother was surfing the web and firing off emails (with attachments) to her children, grandchildren, and friends. Incredible! 

Rev. Dr. Rosetta Lillard had many achievements, but one of her greatest was being a godly, loving Mother who “raised up her children in the way they should go.”  And we have not departed from it. Her lovely presence continues to touch our hearts today! I sincerely thank the Lord for blessing me with an incredible role model, my Mother, Rev. Dr. Rosetta Catherine Lillard. 

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers everywhere!

 (For video and a full bio of Rev. Dr. Rosetta Catherine Lillard please go to http://www.rosettalillard.com/ ) 

Until next time, remember, you can do all things through Christ Jesus! 

God Bless, 

Kenneth Lillard