Members of several African American churches in the Myrtle Beach area came together to celebrate black history.

Sandy Grove Baptist Church held its annual “Harlem Renaissance” Black History Gala at the Mary C. Canty Recreation Center, on Saturday night. They invited several other local churches to join the celebration, including Mount Olive AME  and Shield’s Chapel churches. The event included speeches from community members, singing, and  a youth praise dance performance. The ceremony also honored many elders in the community, a few of whom are 100 years old, for their sacrifices and accomplishments that have paved the way for African Americans in Myrtle Beach. “They have lived that history. And they have seen doors open. They know the sacrifices,” said organizer Audrey Casey with Sandy Grove Baptist Church. “And lest our children forget where God has brought us from, we have to keep that alive in our community.”

This is the eighth year Sandy Grove held it’s Black History Celebration.