By: Doshon Farad
For decades, Black women have played a central role in the Black community’s struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. From Harriet Tubman to the
modern day unknown sister who’s rearing a family, the tremendous influence of Black
women can’t be denied.
Despite the opinions and observations of some, this influence is being acknowledged and honored by Black male led organizations across the nation. One such a group is located in East Orange, New Jersey, which is just a few minutes outside of New York City.
Prodigal Sons and Daughters Behavior Healthcare Services (PSDBHS) hosted a very spectacular event honoring Black women on Friday (May 31, 2024) at its headquarters. The agency was conceptualized in 1985 by founder/C.E.O. Minister Henry D. Muhammad who since his teenage years has been involved in community organizing. His agency also has a department specifically focused on black women’s mental and physical wellbeing.
The evening event, which was nearly standing room only, featured a buffet style dinner, door prizes, awards ceremony and phenomenal performances by local artist Suga J and internationally known R&B group , The Silver Stars which was founded and currently led by Muhammad. Music was provided by D.J. Mike Neezy.
The program’s theme was, “SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR THE WOMEN”. And this was certainly personified as attendees heard heartfelt tributes from Black men all night. The electrified atmosphere was evident from the responses of the audience who exploded in applause after each act and speaker. It certainly was a night to remember.
Pulse briefly spoke with Muhammad after the tribute ended to get his thoughts about it. He was quite pleased with Friday’s program.
“Tonight’s event was fantastic. It was an overwhelming success. It really brought
clarity to our mission here at the Prodigal Sons and Daughters’ Behavior Healthcare
Services as well as the Silver Stars Multimedia Complex. This was our first time actually
having an event here that we hosted,” Mr. Muhammad said
He further spoke about how his own struggles influenced him in planning the dinner.
“I wanted the event to have some significance to it. I think as a black professional
in long term recovery coming up in the urban center of Newark,. and East Orange, and having suffered domestic violence, substance use disorder, and mental illness-and
brought through that by the grace of God who I choose to call ‘Allah’-I want to make a
statement in everything we do of significance. Not for me personally, but to serve as a model for our young black men that demonstrates that we can make mistakes and get up and dust off our pants and correct those mistakes. One of the mistakes that I made as a young man was my disrespect and misunderstanding of our black women.”
Mr. Muhammed also said that his agency plans to make the Black Women’s Appreciation Dinner an annual event.
Copy Editor: Breanna Robinson
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