Oak Harbor church-goers will celebrate Black History Month with songs and praise this Sunday.

The program, which includes singing, dancing, poetry reading and more, will take place at 3:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at the House of Prayer, located at 620 West Erin Park Road in Oak Harbor, but according to Pastor Fannie Dean, the cause of civil rights is something to promote every day.

“I believe that this is not a one-day celebration,” she said. “This should be a celebration for many years to come.”

Dean said Black History Month encompasses both the hardships Black people have gone through and their triumphs. February is a time to recognize the talents, knowledge and creativity of the Black community and honor those champions of human rights who worked — and are still working — to eradicate oppression and disenfranchisement in all their forms.

“I believe that we in Oak Harbor should be proud of what our forefathers did,” she said. “I just thank the Lord so much in my heart I’m in a position that I can help keep that dream alive.”

The public is invited to attend the program on Sunday. Dean asked that all attendees wear masks.