The Seventh Annual Black Marriage Day Kick-Off Rally was held on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at Rogers Park Auditorium, in Inglewood, California from 11:00 am until 1:30 pm. The gathering honored 19 married couples in categories that included Newlywed Couples (less than one year from Black Marriage Day); Encouraging Couples (10 to 25 years); Pioneer Couples (25 to 40 years) and Lifetime Couples (40 years and over). The event also heightened awareness of the Seventh Annual Black Marriage Day celebrated the next day in 300 cities across the country. “Today, we gathered here to bring attention to a most important event in America called Black Marriage Day,” said La Grande E. Mason Jr, PhD of the non-profit organization known as H.A.L.O. (Helping Angelinos Live Optimistic).
H.A.L.O. was founded by Dr. Mason and his wife Sonja G. Mason, MA 10 years ago to provide Black families in Los Angeles County access to Marriage Education classes. “National statistics show that children from healthy marriages do better in school and later in life,” said Mrs. Mason. “We use Marriage Education to help couples and solos (when one member in a relationship doesn’t attend classes) develop the tools they need to have healthier relationships,”
Honored guests included Clifford and Ava Johnson of Los Angeles, a couple who have been married for 66 years, Los Angeles Councilman Bernard C. Parks, Nisa Mohammed, founder of the National Black Marriage Day and Councilman Ralph Franklin of Inglewood. Both elected officials presented H.A.L.O.’s leadership with proclamations from their respective cities for outstanding community service.
Nisa Mohammed addressed the crowd of about 150. “We need to provide our children with better examples for a better way of life. Marriage is how women and children escape poverty,” she said. H.A.L.O. used the annual event as a community forum to discuss the importance of Marriage Education, honor married couples, share literature and give couples an opportunity to sign the H.A.L.O. “Our Commitment” form. “By providing the H.A.L.O. “Our Commitment” form we’ve given every married couple in attendance a wonderful opportunity to recommit to one another, their marriages and families. Pastor David Cross of Liberty Tabernacle Ministries in Gardena, California was on hand to lead couples to renew their wedding vows and in the tradition of Black slaves, they took part in a “Jump the Broom” ceremony afterwards.
“When couples lay the foundation for healthier relationships or marriage with Marriage Education, everyone wins,” Dr. Mason said. Couples that sign H.A.L.O.’s form have a keepsake of the event and a tangible reminder to further investigate the benefits of Marriage Education. “We know that Marriage Education isn’t something people seek, but it’s a tool from which all can benefit,” he said. “Our community must be strengthened from the very core.” Dr. Mason recognizes that marriage is at the core of every community. “We feel so strongly about providing Marriage Education to our community that La Grande and I have dedicated the rest of lives to teach this most important resource to Black families in Los Angeles County,” Mrs. Mason said. H.A.L.O. not only teaches Marriage Education, but they also train Marriage Education facilitators to perpetuate community growth.
The Masons, married 36 years themselves are currently co-authoring their first book on marriage entitled, “Preparing for the Marriage Marathon: To Avoid the Divorce Dash.”
