As Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” played upstairs at The Hangout, TVs, computers and mentors recently waited for more young adults to visit the 210 W. King St. location for — if nothing else — a positive environment to “chill” in.

“I am from a big city [Milwaukee, Wis.] and there was always something to do there. I can’t say the same for Kokomo,” said John Silas, 20, sitting with his 22-year-old girlfriend, Breyona Cannon, of Kokomo.

“It’s easy to find trouble, but they want to help you here. Coming here is something to do. It’s better than chillin’ at home. We come here to chill, see who is here, listen to music, talk, and play games. It’s like a little Boys and Girls Club here.”

Across town, at The Annex Bar-B-Que, 604 N. Apperson, Karen Bell served her Lord by serving Loren Vereen, 26, a meal of ham and beans, cole slaw, fried potatoes and a choice of pie or cake for dessert.

“It’s a simple and warm meal at a cold time,” said Bell, a member of the Fountain of Life Worship Center, 611 E. Jackson St.

Fountain owns The Annex. Each month, the church offers free meals to the community.

“We are here to show God’s people that we care,” said Bell.

Having a place to go.

Eating at a place where someone cares.

Wanna be startin’ somethin’? These two organizations have, and they hope what they’ve started lasts longer than a month.

As a result, as the annual, 28-day observation of Black History Month begins today, these two organizations are sponsoring events that not only honor but also go beyond the month’s observance.

Although both organizations are associated with blacks, their mission and purpose cover all races, 12 months a year.

“I celebrate Black History Month like I always do,” said Bishop Charles Glenn of Fountain of Life. “I offer an empowerment message. That is not going to change. It is my responsibility to empower all.”

Though Black History Month has helped provide a framework for the organizations’ efforts, during the 11 remaining months, the two Kokomo organizations — like Jackson’s song says — wanna be startin’ somethin’ to make sure black history is daily history that knows no color.

THE HANGOUT

The Hangout is part of the Visionary Community Development Corporation, which also encompasses the Agape Fellowship Church and the All Eyes On You Hair Salon.

The Hangout is open 8 to 11 p.m., Monday through Thursday. It offers games, music and a snack bar for young people ages 16 to 25.

Activities are free.

Shylene Brooks coordinates The Hangout, which offers an environment free from drugs, alcohol, violence and gangs.

The program is located in a faith-based building, but its mission is much more, said Brooks.

“We want to bridge the gap between forgotten lost souls and the community. We want to provide economic, social and housing opportunities,” said Brooks.

A substance-abuse grant from the city of Kokomo helped fund the program. In addition to offering a place to go to stay out of trouble, The Hangout also offers workshops on relationships and substance abuse, she said.

“We are just getting started and only a handful a young adults have come by, but a program like this is needed in Kokomo. I am tired of seeing youth walk up and down Taylor Street with no where to go,” said Brooks. “We might be faith based, but this is a community-based program. We don’t care about color. We are not going to hit them upside the head with Jesus. We have trained mentors and we want to steer them away from drug abuse, or even trying [drugs or alcohol].” continued Brooks.

At 23, Brittany Rainer is in The Hangout’s target age group. However, as one of Brooks’ trained mentors, Rainer has already been reached.

“I understand where [younger adults] are coming from,” Rainer said. “I know there is nothing to do in Kokomo and there is not a lot going on. But here, there is something positive to do. It is very easy to get into trouble [in Kokomo]. When I was younger, I would have benefited from a program like this.”

THE ANNEX

After enjoying his free meal at The Annex, Vereen said he appreciated the efforts Fountain of Life.

“This is good for them to do,” said Vereen. “It makes me feel good that someone cares about the community.”

However, caring for the community is nothing new.

Not only has the Fountain offered free food before — on and off since 2000 — but Glenn said he’s following a path God laid out that reaches beyond race, time, nourishment or location.

“I live here. I know what the people around here need, everyday,” said Glenn, adding his wife, Emma is a pastor, and his son, Charles Jr., has replaced him as chef, cooking the hard-wood, Arkansas-style Bar-B-Que The Annex is known for.

“All of this is a part of being a Christian; it’s part of your daily Christian walk. Jesus said, ‘When I was hungry, you fed me; when I was naked, you clothed me.’ That is what we are doing. We are taking care of the least; we are taking care of God’s children.”

Glenn’s message goes beyond feeding hungry stomachs and souls.

“We have a cocaine anonymous club that meets weekly ...” said Glenn. “We don’t charge them, but that is what we are here to do. We are here to empower. It doesn’t matter your race, as Christians, that is what we are to do everyday.”

• K.O. Jackson is the Kokomo Tribune’s business writer. He can be reached at 765-854-6739 or via e-mail kirven.jackson@ kokomotribune.com