Inspirational message, entertainment highlight Boys and Girls Club of Decatur Black History Month banquet

 

Antonio Burton didn't just bring a message of inspiration to young people at the Boys and Girls Club's Black History Month Banquet.

He brought a piano.

Donated by Millikin University, the piano will provide the kids a chance to learn to play, thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of Macon County, said Executive Director Shamika Madison. The grant will pay for a teacher.

Burton is an alum of the club, who has been going there since he was an infant. His mother worked there and took him with her to work even when he was too young to be a member, and when he was old enough to be a member, the club was always part of his life.

“I grew up here,” he said.

Burton was the keynote speaker at the banquet, which was a bit smaller than usual this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, Madison said.

“One thing we knew for sure when we could open due to the COVID restrictions, we had to hold this because it's so important to our kids to have that ongoing education about African-American heritage,” Madison said. “It's only in-house today, but we still have food for the children and entertainment.”

Burton is an artist and youth pastor whose “church” is street ministry. He said his motto is “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me,” which is from the Biblical book of Philippians, and he used that verse and spoke of his faith often during his talk to the kids.