Club considering its options

The African American Club of West Pasco seeks to boost its membership and get a grant.

By CAMILLE C. SPENCER, Times Staff Writer
Published January 14, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT [Brendan Fitterer | Times] Sandy Wright, former African American Club president, and her granddaughter Kylena Ward, 21 months, sit at home in Hudson. Wright says she was overworked. "The club took up my life."

PORT RICHEY - Seventeen years ago, Eugene Scott created a place where black residents could socialize in a county where they were few and far between.

Soon, the African American Club of West Pasco found a different calling: it expanded to include anyone who wanted to mentor the youth of Pine Hill - then a haven for drug activity - by sponsoring an after-school program. At its peak, the group swelled to 100 members, organizing community events for kids.

But over the years, membership dwindled, and some say internal strife within the organization threatened its progress. Last year, president Sandy Wright stepped down, saying she was overworked. The after school program is all but nonexistent.

Now, a week before its annual Martin Luther King Jr. program - the club's largest event - Wright and current members wonder what the future holds for the club.

"A lot of the people in the club are older and not as active," Wright said. "And you have less than a handful of people who do the work all the time."

Wright, 55, got involved with the club in 2003. The Hudson resident quickly organized museum trips, tutoring programs and cultural events for the kids.

Her biggest task was putting together the King program, which she ran from 2004 to 2007. She tapped area mayors and judges to serve as keynote speakers, and found local talent for the event.

But all the while, Wright says, her dedication to the club was a one-woman show.

"I was going in too many directions," she said. "The club took up my life."

In a 2005 Pasco Times story, club founder Scott said that over time, some members chose to donate money instead of attending meetings. Others quit. The club currently has a handful of members.

Scott, now active president of the club, couldn't be reached for comment.

Wright, who left the club last spring, attributes some of the club's problems to lack of awareness.

"There's a lot of African Americans here, but they are still not aware of the club," she said.

With Wright gone, club member Vivian Lockett was appointed in November by the club's board to plan the King program.

This year's program will be held at Union Missionary Baptist Church instead of Sims Park. Lockett chose the smaller venue because it's located in Pine Hill, down the street from the club's headquarters in a nondescript beige building near a bus garage.

In addition to a smaller venue, the event won't be as extensive. Lockett said the scaled-down program will include a keynote speaker, a choir and comments by two of the community's youth. Refreshments will be served in the church's fellowship hall.

Lockett said she doesn't think the change of venue will affect attendance at the club's most notable event.

"Those who have participated and believe in the program will come," she said.

Dorethia Sachs, a member of the club's board, said she saw membership decline last year. Sachs said in addition to looking for new members, the club is trying to secure grant money to get vehicles it could use to pick up kids who want to take part in the after school program but don't have transportation.

"Their parents aren't able to bring them or pick them up," she said. "We don't get a response. We're looking for help to put the word out for the children."

Wright said the kids she used to mentor are now back to their old ways.

"They're back hanging in the streets, doing what they did," she said.

Even so, Wright said activism in the county's small African American community is "virgin territory" where there's much to be done.

She said she fears what will happen if the club continues on its current path.

"They should reach out to the younger adults," she said. "That's the only thing that will help it survive. If not, it will just go back to being a social club."

Camille C. Spencer can be reached at cspencer@sptimes.com or (727) 869-6229.

Fast Facts:

King program

The Martin Luther King Jr. program will be from noon to 1 p.m. on Jan. 21 at Union Missionary Baptist Church, 6235 Pinehill Road in Port Richey. Call Vivian Lockett at (813) 996-2199.

[Last modified January 13, 2008, 19:59:59]