Building 1 Resident
Shares Black History Month Award
The person encircled in the photo above, two places to the left of Manassas Mayor Hal Parrish, is Etoria V. Groggins a Building 1 resident of The Gatherings. She and three other women, all residents of Manassas, recently received The Legacy Makers Award as part of Black History Month. The proclamation accompanying the award reads in part:
Black History Month allows us to recognize the uplifting story of Miss Jennie Dean, who despite being born into slavery and without the benefit of a formal education, established the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth, which changed the lives of countless African Americans in the region. While working as a domestic, Miss Jennie tirelessly raised funds and built a school that provided academic and vocational training within a Christian setting, educating many of the area's African American teachers, tradesmen and professionals. Manassas gives the award in recognition of local African American Women who embody the Jennie Dean legacy of faith, perseverance and zeal by doing their part to improve the community through education, civic duty, leadership.
Black History Month allows us to recognize the uplifting story of Miss Jennie Dean, who despite being born into slavery and without the benefit of a formal education, established the Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth, which changed the lives of countless African Americans in the region. While working as a domestic, Miss Jennie tirelessly raised funds and built a school that provided academic and vocational training within a Christian setting, educating many of the area's African American teachers, tradesmen and professionals. Manassas gives the award in recognition of local African American Women who embody the Jennie Dean legacy of faith, perseverance and zeal by doing their part to improve the community through education, civic duty, leadership.

Rev. Goggins, Pastor is the first woman to lead the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Manassas, whose inspirational leadership helps improve the well-being of her congregation and the community through lessons in nutritional and financial wellness, delivering relief supplies to the indigent, canvassing the community and feeding the hungry.
A bronze statue of Jennie Dean was unveiled and awarded to the the recipients of this year's award on Monday, January 28th at a meeting of the Manassas City Council.
Jenny Dean Award Statue
You can find out more about the awards ceremony by clicking on the arrow -- ►
Congratulations to the Gathering's own - Pastor Etoria Goggins resident of Building 1.
Congratulations to the Gathering's own - Pastor Etoria Goggins resident of Building 1.