Celebrating Black History Month on February 21, 2013 At The Wyandanch Public Library

On February 21, 2013, we will recognize Black History Month and honor the many contributions of the Black Community in the Towns of Babylon and Islip.

We will gather to honor a few of the countless residents who continue to make innumerable contributions to the culture and quality of life.  We applaud those individuals who are committed to civic engagement and work diligently to further freedom and equality in the areas of education, health care, economic empowerment, and criminal justice.

Please join me in recognizing the following honorees at the Black History Month Celebration on Thursday, February 21, 2013 from 6:00PM until 8:00PM at the Wyandanch Public Library located at 14 South 20th Street in Wyandanch, NY  11798.

•    Rev. Dr. Daris Dixon-Clark
•    Deven Kane
•    Jason Baltimore
•    Virginia Dawson
•    Venettes Cultural Workshop
•    Kiara Don of Massapequa
•    Dr. LaQuita Outlaw

Each one of our honorees is an integral part of their community.  Please join me in honoring them on February 21st so that we can recognize them and embrace their talents, enthusiasm, and determination in improving the quality of life for everyone here on Long Island.

Please join us to celebrate Black History Month.

Date:  Thursday, February 21, 2013

Time:  6:00PM - 8:00PM

Location:

Wyandanch Public Library

14 South 20th Street

Wyandanch, NY  11798

                                                                     History of Black History Month

Black History Month is a nationally recognized celebration of the culture, contributions and traditions of Black Americans. Officially it began in 1976, Black History Month is celebrated in February and celebrates all the historic events and landmark contributions from 1915, wherein the Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United State abolished slavery in America. 

It was Dr. Carter Woodson who started the “Negro History Week” to focus people’s attention and to bring notice to the role and contribution of Black Americans in American history. Dr. Woodson was a Black American who completed his PhD from Harvard University.  He found the need to express the voice of Black Americans who were wrongly represented and harshly treated in early times. Unofficially, it was around 1926, that Dr. Woodson initiated the celebration of Black History Month in February. He chose this month, as February is marked by the birthdays of two great Americans who had an enduring influence on changing the social standing and condition of Black Americans, former President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Fredrick Douglas. 

Among prominent Black Americans who have been of great influence are General Colin Powell, the first Black American to hold the office of Secretary of State; Condeleezza Rice, the first Black women to hold the office of Secretary of State; Rosa Parks, the brave woman who refused to give up her seat on a bus, sparking the civil rights movement in this country; Martin Luther King Jr., the nation’s most influential leaders leading anti-violence civil rights demonstrations across the country; the great author and poet Maya Angelou; Marian Anderson, an opera singer and First Black American to sing at the Metropolitan Opera; Billy Holiday, one of the most famous Jazz singers of all time; Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest boxing champions in our lifetime; and Jackie Robinson, the First Black American to play in a Major League Baseball game. 

Through strong values of family, faith, hard work and service, Black Americans have given our communities a positive and everlasting influence.  In our communities, they are doctors that heal our sick, educators that teach our children,  small business owners that create jobs, and public servants that work for the common good. They are a part of our armed services protecting our borders and freedoms at home and abroad. We celebrate Black History Month in their honor and thank the members of the Black American community for their courage, culture contributions and sacrifices.