Rev. Thomas Beavers Delivers Keynote During Miles College’s 126th Founder’s Day

By Barnett Wright | The Birmingham Times Miles College celebrated its 126th Founder’s Day at First Baptist Church of Fairfield with Dr. Thomas Beavers, pastor of New Rising Star — known as “The Star” — as the keynote speaker. “I was honored that [Miles College] invited me as the keynote speaker,” said Beavers, who spoke on how to honor the legacy of Miles and move forward. “We honor that legacy by being lifelong learners and having a mindset that says that we never stop growing,” Beavers said. “The Bible says as great as Jesus was that He grew … in four different ways: He grew in wisdom, in stature, favor with God, favor with man. Wisdom is mentally, stature is physically, favor with God is spiritually, favor with man is socially and civically. “When you think about how Miles was established it was established for Negroes to educate other Negroes and to develop Negroes to be productive citizens in America against all odds spiritually, educationally and civically” and we have to continue that legacy, said Beavers. In the early 1890s, leaders in the Colored Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church saw a need for educated leadership in the Black community. In 1898...