A Very Special Thank You
by Eva M. Doyle
Seated from left-to-right are Dee Paris, Eva Doyle, Betty Jean Grant Standing from left-to-right are Baba Eng, Barabara Miller-Williams, Khadijah Merriweather, Byron Brown
I would like to thank all the people who came out on Saturday, March 14, 2026, to celebrate my 80th birthday. I am thankful for the texts, dozens of phone calls, gifts, and Facebook messages that I received. My son Jesse Doyle hosted the event with the help of my granddaughter Somalia Doyle, and her friend Sierra Radford decorated the hall. All three of my adult children were present including Sharon Doyle, Jesse Doyle and Romeo Sharif Doyle. It was a beautiful hall located inside of the Durham Memorial AMEZ historic church at 200 East Eagle Street, where is Micheal Bell is the pastor.
I received a very surprising Happy Birthday message from South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn, along with New York Congressman Tim Kennedy. Bishop Darius Pridgen also sent a message to wish me Happy Birthday. I also received happy birthday call from Herb Bellamy, CEO of the Black Achievers. I am thankful for the presence of my First Shiloh family and the Doyles, my Niagara Falls family. The room was full of well-wishers that included poets, storytellers including my history partner Karima Amin and author Baba Eng and Sharon Holley, and a special poem from Allie Freeman who always writes beautiful poetry.
Alnisa from the Challenger also attended and local officials also included Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan, Comptroller Barbara Miller-Williams, and a host of family and friends. Ellicott District council member Leah Halton- Pope was there. Former Mayor Byron Brown was also in attendance including Rev. James Lewis. Special thanks to former Erie County Legislator Betty Jean Grant who was also present. I received proclamations from city and state officials which included Erie County Legislator Taisha St. Jean Tard, and Majority Leader from the New York State Assembly Crystal Peoples-Stokes.
It was a high-spirited celebration with the sounds of African drums and dancers led by master drummer Ras Jomo. Filmmaker Sandy White who is producing a documentary of my life and work was there filming for the film called “Relentless” which be shown in the near future. The title Relentless highlights my relentless work teaching African American History for close to 50 years.
Special thanks to the Criterion newspaper, Jill Gist and Frank Merriweather and Khadija Merriweather for covering the celebration. It was held in the Community Center located at Durham Memorial AMEZ church at 200 E. Eagle Street. It was a beautiful hall. The Pastor is Michael Bell. I enjoyed meeting the Pastor.