The 7th Annual Black Marriage Day Kick-Off Rally was held at Rogers Park, in Inglewood, California

this past Saturday, March 21, 2009. The gathering honored 19 married couples heightened awareness of

the 7th Annual Black Marriage Day March 22 in 300 cities across the country. “Today, we gathered

here to bring attention to a most important event in America called Black Marriage Day,” said La

Grande E. Mason Jr., PhD of the non-profit organization known as H.A.L.O. (Helping Angelinos Live

Optimistic).

   H.A.L.O. was founded by Dr. Mason and his wife of 36 years, Sonja G. Mason, MA, ten years ago to

provide Black families in Los Angeles County access to Marriage Education classes. “National

statistics show that children from healthy marriages do better in school and later in life,” said

Mrs. Mason. “We use marriage education to help couples and solos (when one member doesn’t attend

classes) develop the tools they need to have healthier relationships,” she said. Marriage education

is provided to married couples, solos and couples preparing for marriage.

  During the marriage day program Councilman Ralph Franklin of Inglewood presented the Masons, with

a commendation on behalf of the City of Inglewood. Councilman Franklin and his wife Juanita were

also honored during the event for their 35 years of marriage.
Los Angeles Councilman Bernard C. Parks presented the H.A.L.O.’s leadership with proclamations from

their respective cities for outstanding community service. Councilman Parks and his wife were

honored on a previos Black Marriage Day event and has participated ever since. , Nisa Mohammed,

founder of the National Black Marriage Day addressed the crowd of approximately 150. “We need to

provide our children with better examples for a better life. Marriage is how women and children

escape poverty,” she said. the annual H.A.L.O. event also as a community forum to discuss the

importance of Marriage Education, honor married couples, and share literature.
Categories that honored couples were place in included Newlywed Couples (0-2 years); Encouraging

Couples (10 - 25 years)  Pioneer Couples (25 - 40 years) and Lifetime Couples (40 years plus).

Newlywed - less than 1 year from the date of BMD.
 
 
The event also included Clifford and Ava Johnson of Los Angeles, a couple who have  been married for

66 years,  All couples were given an opportunity to sign the H.A.L.O. “Our Commitment” form. “By

providing the H.A.L.O. “Our Commitment” form we’ve given every married couple in attendance a

wonderful opportunity to recommit to one another, their relationships or marriages and families.

Pastor David Cross of Liberty Tabernacle Ministries in Gardena, California was on hand to lead

couples to renew their wedding vows. In the tradition of Black slaves, the loving couples also took

part in a “jump the broom” ceremony.
 
  “When couples lay the foundation for healthier relationships or marriage with Marriage Education,

everyone wins,” Dr. Mason said. Couples that sign H.A.L.O.’s form have a keepsake of the event and a

tangible reminder to further investigate the benefits of Marriage Education. “We know that Marriage

Education isn’t something people seek, but it’s a tool from which all can benefit,” he said. “Our

community must be strengthened from the very core.” Dr. Mason recognizes that marriage is at the

core of every community. “We feel so strongly about providing Marriage Education to our community

that La Grande and I have dedicated the rest of lives to teach this most important resource to Black

families in Los Angeles County,” Mrs. Mason said. H.A.L.O. not only teaches Marriage Education, but

they also train Marriage Education facilitators to perpetuate community growth.
   The Masons are currently co-authoring their first book on marriage entitled, “Preparing for the

Marriage Marathon: To Avoid the Divorce Dash.”
The event that recognized 20 couples helped
bring attention to the importance of marriage as a major building block
of strong communities.