NORRISTOWN, PA –
Montgomery County’s Black History Month Committee invites the community to attend a four-week long virtual series of panel discussions for Black History Month. This year’s program will focus on the national theme, “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity,” as established by the Association for the Study of African American Life & History (ASALH). Four panels will be held each Wednesday in February from noon to 1:15 p.m. Learn more about the panelists here.
Wednesday, February 3rd – Topic: Education
Panelists - Craig C. Browne, Ed.D., Christopher A. Pender Sr. MHS, Dr. Crystal Clark, Mrs. Rachel Kirksey
Wednesday, February 10th – Topic: Criminal Justice
Panelists - Judge Greg Scott, Chief Mark Talbot, Councilwoman Heather Lewis,
A. Nicole Phillips, Esq.
Wednesday, February 17th – Topic: Parenting/Family
Panelists - Marcus Allen, Kelly and Tracy Jones, Dr. Rosario Love, Matthew Kane
Wednesday, February 24th – Topic: Faith Community
Panelists - Rev. Marshall Mitchell, Rev. Garrison Lockley, Bishop Benjamin Spencer
The panel discussions will be hosted via Zoom. Interested participants can register for each panel discussion at www.montcopa.org/blackhistorymonth. During each week’s discussion, panelists will be asked questions as it relates to the event theme and weekly topics. There will be an opportunity for registered participants to ask questions at the end of each event.
“Every year, Montgomery County staff and community members have joined to publicly celebrate and recognize the rich tapestry of African-Americans in this country and throughout history, and this year, despite not being to do this in person due to the pandemic, we were determined to continue this wonderful tradition. And not only were we not deterred, we expanded this celebration and time of learning to happen every week in February! That is resilience, and resilience is the true hallmark of Black History,” said Tara Gaudin, Director of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.
Affectionately known as the Father of Black History, Historian Carter G. Woodson, initiated Black History Week on February 12, 1926, which for many years was celebrated in February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In the mid-1970s, Black History Week expanded to Black History Month.
For more information about the program, contact Lora Gonzalez at 610-278-3677.
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