The tradition of “Keeping the Dream Alive” will continue with the 18th Annual Black History Scholarship Program and Banquet on Sunday at Outreach Endtime Deliverance Church in Troy.

The tradition began 18 years ago when Dorothy Townsend and her children, Jonathan, Jessilyn and Alison, presented a Black History program titled “Bridging the Past to the Future.” The program was designed to honor past and future Pike County heroes.

“We wanted a way to honor those who dedicated themselves to helping build and shape the Pike County community,” Dorothy Townsend said. “They are our Pike County heroes.

“The program was and is also designed to encourage our black youth to know their history. If you don’t know your history, it’s hard to imagine your future.”

The tradition of “Keeping the Dream Alive” continues Sunday when Troy’s United Praise Singers and the Troy Gospel News Team join the Townsend family’s efforts to award scholarships to Pike County area students each year. The scholarships are given as a way of helping offset expenses at the college of their choice.

“Our hope for the Annual Black History Scholarship program is that the scholarships enable the young people to appreciate all past and future heroes,” Townsend said.

Three local heroes will be honored at the “Keeping the Dream Alive” banquet as Troy’s history makers.

Sarah Baker, Katherine Fayson and Magalene Stringer, all of Troy, will be recognized for the roles they have played and continue to play in the Troy community.

“We call these honorees our history-makers because each of them accomplished a lot for the city of Troy,” Townsend said. “They set strong examples for the younger generations by participating in various ministries within their churches and were faithful supporters of the betterment of children and education.”

The special entertainment for the “Keeping the Dream Alive” program will include a combined Troy Mass Choir made up of individuals from the Troy community and churches and God’s Heavenly Angels of Montgomery.

For more information about “Keeping the Dream Alive,” call 334-482-4080 or 672-8187.