February is Black History Month – when we as a nation recognize the contributions of a people who have labored, served and sacrificed for this country and the world. The book of Isaiah fell in my spirit…which is where we learn about how to travel through the valleys of judgment, yet gain the privilege of walking along the road of redemption…This is our history, this is our life as we live it today…This is Mama Tena’s life each and every day!

Mama Tena is a blind lady in Drummonds, TN who has been promoting various programs and events for several years. This lady lives on a fixed income; budgets out her tithes, house payment, utility payments, furniture payment, food expenses for the month – and squeezes every dime she gets each month to meet her obligations and host a Family Dinner the first Sunday of each month. Yet, she manages to sponsor events for the Volunteer Fire Fighters, an Annual Black History Event program, appreciation musicals for her church Musicians, a small Voice Children’s Choir (ensuring that they are uniformed with robes), annual toy and coat drives, etc. It has amazed me what all this “blind lady” has done, with literally nothing, over the few years I’ve had the privilege of knowing her.

Mama Tena Mebane Alexander is her name. This lady has inspired me and countless other folks in her community and throughout the state of Tennessee to at least be more “kind” and “giving” to each other. She has a network of supporters; the community doctors, teachers, lawyers, church clerks, area Pastors, elected officials, and many others, all respond when “Mama Tena” calls them to help with whatever program or event she is coordinating. Two years ago, she was recognized nationally by the American Gospel Quartet Convention as a Woman Of Influence. She cried so many tears of joy that night – the entire audience felt how humble she was…She is an amazing lady, and I am honored to call her my friend….

With that being said – The Lord touched my spirit and planted an idea in my heart…I made a few calls to artists I’ve worked with in the Memphis area, and as a result the following is going to happen in honor of Mama Tena Mebane Alexander, and 14 other people in her small town and surrounding communities of Drummonds, Brighton and Millington, Tennessee.

On Friday, February 10, 2012 -there is going to be a “Celebration of Love” event held in Mama Tena’s honor, which will also recognize 14 other people in her community that are also blind, wheelchair bound, speechless or deaf . This event is FREE and open to the public, and will be held at Shiloh Baptist Church,98 Kenwood Avenue, Brighton, TN where Rev. Darrell K. Rozell is Pastor. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Scheduled to be there to celebrate these community servants are some of Memphis’ greatest artists – Mr. George Dean of the Gospel Four, The Bell Singers and Rev. Melvin Rodgers of New Bethel Baptist Church and a member of the Memphis Harmonizers.

Tena does not permit her blindness to stop her from pursuing the vision that God has placed in her heart – to “serve” her community – and now is the time for the community to say “Thank You”!

By: Dr. Ella Mahmoud