Melting Pot Ministries in South Park celebrates Black History Month

Mention “Buffalo Soldier,” and the first thought may be of the Bob Marley song by that name.

A dive into America’s past, though, reveals accounts of the actual Buffalo Soldiers: members of all-Black Army regiments who helped rebuild the nation after the Civil War by building telegraph lines, repairing and constructing forts, and serving as some of the first caretakers of U.S. national parks.

Their story fits in well with the philosophy of Diane Ford, executive director of the youth-development nonprofit Melting Pot Ministries.

“I want all of our children to realize Black history matters,” the Bethel Park resident said. “One of the big things that our children aren’t aware of is all the great accomplishments that Black people made before they were even thought of, and I really want to make sure we keep that alive and it gives them hope.”

Her organization hosted a Black History Month celebration on Feb. 29, featuring a soul-food dinner cooked in the kitchen of Melting Pot Ministries’ home base, Nativity Church in South Park.

The evening’s highlight was a children’s presentation about the Buffalo Soldiers, with the script written by Meltin Pot teacher Nick Shorr.

Ford views such efforts as promoting positivity, especially among Black youngsters.

“There is so much information that is necessary for them to know, so that they value and respect and honor who they are, instead of always thinking that what everybody says on the news is true,” she said.

Melting Pot Ministries, founded by concerned South Hills residents for 20 years, offers programming that includes after-school support for students, combining education with fun, hands-on experiences; Family Matters, which promotes parental involvement in children’s lives; and summer camp, which runs for six weeks starting June 24.

Among the guests at the Black History Month celebration was KD Meucci, who teaches fourth grade at Bethel Park’s Benjamin Franklin Elementary School and is highly supportive of Ford’s efforts.

“Melting Pot Ministries is a safe place for children to learn and feel loved,” Meucci said. “Their enrichment programs are top-notch, the way they encourage children to grow.”

She makes sure her students learn applicable lessons each February.

“We study all sorts of Black people who contributed to things that we do in everyday life, and people we can look up to and honor,” she said. “It’s something that I want all children to see, heroes in our everyday life.”

For more information about Melting Pot Ministries, visit www.ourmpm.org.