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WEST POINT — Jahi Winston, the guest speaker at the City of West Point’s annual Black History program, encouraged the young people present for the program to never shy away from pursuing their dreams.

“I hope to instill confidence in you that you can be successful in life if you make use of the gifts God gave you,” he said. “I have had an amazing support system from my parents and my family. I have learned that you have to have faith in your dream. If you have that dream in your heart, you won’t be deterred from following that dream. Don’t be afraid of failure. It’s been my experience that you have nothing to lose by trying. I am living testimony that you can do what you want to do if you never give up on your dream.”

At just 21 years of age, Jahi has already starred in a number of film and TV productions. He was the lead actor in Chris London’s “We Have a Ghost,” and has just wrapped up filing of “Outdoor School.” He also had the leading role in the award-winning Sundance hit “Charm City Kings.” Jami will also appear in the upcoming series “Government Cheese,” which can be seen on Apple TV.

Attendees to Tuesday’s program were able to see snippets from his performances on a 16-foot-wide screen provided buy Randall Shears of Digitech Services, West Point, which provides stages, sound systems and lighting for any kind of performance.

The program took place during the five o’clock hour on Tuesday inside the West Point Gym.

Jahi is the son of Darryl and Juakena Winston, who are the pastor and co-pastor of the Greater Assembly Church in Atlanta. Darryl Winston has lot of close relatives in West Point and makes frequent visits here.

Jahi spoke of his family’s deep roots in West Point.

“I’ve been really looking forward to being here today because of that,” he said.

His Winston forebears started one of the oldest churches in West Point.

“My roots started here,” he said. “One person had a dream for their child to have a better life than they’d had and they passed it on to the next generation. That carried on through multiple generations to the present.”

Jahi and his parents remained through the entire hour-and-a-half long program and posed for lots of pictures afterward.

“I didn’t know I was sitting next to a movie star,” said Mayor Steve Tramell. “It was awesome. I have seen some of the movies Jahi was in. I had no idea there was a West Point connection to them.”

The program included presentations by and awards to local students ranging in age from three-year-olds at the Chattahoochee Early Learning Academy (CELA) to young adults at Point University. Also recognized were students and adults from West Point Elementary, Long Cane Middle School, Troup High, the West Point Cares after-school program and Springwood School.

Springwood Head of School Kim Plank spoke to the large gathering on hand.

“Though our school is across the state line in Alabama,” she said, “we have lots of students, administrative staff, and teachers who live in West Point. We so much appreciate your invitation for us to be here today.”

Some Springwood art students showed some of the artworks they have done this year. Among them are mixed media works and collages. Some of the students displaying their works are international students who speak excellent English. Fourth grade student Emma Evans showed the crowd a figurine she had made to look like a cupcake. A tenth grade student showed a sketch of a bird she had done.

“It makes me think of freedom,” she said. “No matter how far a bird flies away it will always return home.”

CELA’s certified teacher, Rebecca Pankey, introduced four of her three and four-year olds who recited a poem that was most appropriate during Black History Month.

“Today is a day to sing for Dr. Martin Luther King,” the words went. “Freedom, freedom. Let it ring for Dr. King.”

Thelma Hodo talked about what West Point Cares does in its after-school program. She explained that the kids who come there are from either West Point Elementary of Long Cane Middle School.

Four students from Long Cane Middle School read a poem about how the world becomes stronger when women step up to do the right thing. They recognized their coach, Shabree Lovelace, as the school’s Teacher of the Year.

“She never gives up on us,” one of the students said. “She is special, dedicated and humble. We want to thank her for pushing us to do our best and to be our best.”

Troup High Principal Chet Stewart recognized 17 of his students for exemplary performance both as students and citizens of the community. The crowd was then treated to a most impressive performance by the Troup High Orchestra. Five violinists and five cellists did exceptional work with “The North Star to Freedom,” a composition in celebration to Harriet Tubman’s role with the Underground Railroad.

Point University’s student activities coordinator, Eman Cohen, recognized five Skyhawk student athletes: Riley Thorne, Taylor O’Neal, Promise Williams, Quintravious Teasley and Darron Ross.

Two members of the West Point City Council recognized some business owners in downtown West Point and thanked them for what they do. Joel Finlay thanked Johnny’s Pizza owner Ben Hamilton and Kevin Patrick thanked Copper Carrol owners Larry and Nicky Franklin. Finlay talked about how Frank and Donna Norman had started Johnny’s Pizza in 2010 and that Ben Hamilton had been the owner since 2018.

“He’s been very supportive of the community, the Boy Scouts and Point University,” he said.

In accepting the award, Hamilton thanked the community for its support of Johnny’s Pizza.

“We wouldn’t be where we are without it,” he said. “We really appreciate what the community does for us.”

The Franklins have a business known as the Copper Carrot Bakery in both LaGrange and West Point.

“It’s an honor for us to be in West Point,” said Mrs. Franklin. “We especially like our Banana Pudding Fridays. West Point has been a very good home away from home for us. We want you all to know that we appreciate each and every one of you.”

A raffle was held to award prizes, and the program concluded with the singing of the Black National Anthem, James Weldon Johnson’s Lift Every Voice and Sing.