by: Janiyah Green of  COTLG Strawberry Mansion

My Black History essay is about the late Mother (Deaconess) Anna Lee Green. She was born July 2, 1914, in Keysville, GA and was the fourth child of ten, born to Rev. H. C. and Mrs. Daisy Williams.  She was faithful to God and her church right up to her death in 2021 at the age of 106.  Mother Green attended Georgia State Industrial College in Savannah, GA and was an educator in the public school system of the State of Georgia.  She was blessed to be raised in a Christian home with nine sisters and brothers.  Mother Green was a singer and song writer, who sang with the Jubilee Singers, Mass Choir and was the founder of the Solid Rock Gospel Singers.  She composed most of the songs they sang so powerfully under the Anointing of God, traveling in the areas of New Jersey, New York, PA, and Florida.  82 years of membership (since June 1938) qualifies her as a cornerstone in the Church of the Living God.  

Mother Green defined faithfulness and earned her seat on the Church Mothers Board as head mother in Philadelphia – SMK. She labored in the church kitchen for many years and cleared church financial debts. She enjoyed reading and studying the Word of God and got pleasure in the service she rendered to the Lord and mankind.  When asked how she managed to live such a long time and in good health, her response resonated, “you have to love the Lord and love everybody to live a long and good life”.  Mother Green exemplified wisdom and knowledge at all times.  In the year of 2000, she was honored with several awards and certificates, signed by prestigious individuals of the city of Philadelphia, PA.  She has always been an inspiration to her home-based church with exhortations and encouraging messages of love and faithfulness during Bible study classes and church services.  They honored and loved her dearly.  She died peacefully at home surrounded by those who loved her.

I am a descendant of Mother Anna Lee Green, and my is Janiyah Green Walker. Mother Green taught me that being Afro-Latina was not a curse and my skin color doesn’t make me anymore different – that I’m just as capable of doing the same and even more than my non POC (people of color) peers. She is the reason I want to do something with my life instead of following in the footsteps of others. I love playing volleyball and whenever I touch a volleyball, I think of her and all the memories we had together.

by: Casa Jai” (Age 7) of COTLG Philadelphia Band #1

Bishop Lessie Williams is my Pastor and she always cheer on the Youth.  She loves us.

She looks out for all the youth. I love to hear my Pastor sing songs.

My Pastor was very sick and I saw her in the hospital and I was very sad.  Bishop Williams is a miracle she is back in Church with us.  I love her.  

by: COTLG Detroit

Bishop Rosemary Buchanan was born and raised in Mount Clemens, Michigan. She is the sixth in a family of two boys and four girls. Bishop Buchanan received the baptism of the Holy Ghost at an early age at the Church of the Living God, the Pillar and Ground of the Truth, Which He Purchased with His Own Blood, Inc. in Mount Clemens, Michigan, and where she was later called to the ministry.  She is a humble and meek servant who loves God and desires to do His will. Bishop Buchanan holds an Associates Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.  She also holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies.  She was recognized by the church leadership as a faithful and dutiful member and because of that, she was elevated to the office of an Elder and then Presiding Elder. During her Presiding Eldership, she humbly presided over six churches in the span of nine years; devoted to the call in doing the work of the Lord.  Bishop Buchanan is a Unit Director of the International Prayer Outreach Ministry and President of the African Mission.  She is the Senior Pastor of the Eight Mile Road Band in Detroit. Bishop Buchanan was promoted to the office of Chief Helper to the General Chief Overseer in which she currently serves.  Bishop Buchanan loves the elderly, the young and the unchurched people. She enjoys being around the elderly because they have so much to share, the young because they have so much to gain, and the unchurched because they have an eternal destiny at hand. She is a woman who loves God, God’s people, and His Word. Her heart is one of encouraging people to seek the Lord and turns their lives around.  Her  family is an important part of her life as well as her two dogs, Benjamin Zechariah (Ben-Z) and Joseph Emmauel (Jo-E). She is married to the love of her life for over 49 years ago.