CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - The Clarksville Community Black History Council officially opened the month-long celebration with a ceremony held at the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center on Wednesday, February 1st.
Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. History. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.
The local celebration started with a reception in the museum lobby and continued into the theater, where attendees were treated to music, dance and inspirational speeches.
Children from the Tabernacle Christian School started the “Negro National Hymn” and were soon joined by the entire audience.
Greeting the crowd was Mayor Carolyn Bowers, who praised the many accomplishments made by black citizens of the past and urged the young people of the audience to continue with their heritage to make Clarksville an even more productive community.
The theme of the evening’s celebration was “Black Women In American Culture and History”. That theme was the focus of the Keynote speaker’s address. Pastor Angela Jones, the first African American female pastor, told of being raised and schooled during the civil rights movements of the 1960’s. She was one of many students used as examples for desegregation.
She listed several black women throughout history who have made an impact on the changes in racial equality. From Rosa Parks to Maya Angelou, each have made a lasting impression and have been an inspiration to her.
Other events the Clarksville Community Black History Council will be presenting this month are:
AKA (Nu Sigma Chapter) Pink Goes Red Event: Thursday, Feb. 2nd from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at St. John M.B. Church Annual Barbara Johnson Unity Breakfast: Saturday, Feb. 4th at 8 a.m. Will be held at the Quality Inn on Wilma Rudolph Blvd. Donations of $20. Beyond Slavery Drama Presentation: Saturday, Feb. 18th at 6 p.m. Will be held at the Greater Missionary Baptist Church. 100 Books Project: Saturday, Feb. 18th from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Donate books by black authors to the Clarksville Public Library. Miss Black Clarksville Scholarship Pageant: Saturday, Feb. 25th at 6 p.m. Will be held at the Emmanuel Family Life Center. Closing Ceremony/God’s Trombones: Wednesday, February 29th at 6 p.m. Will be held at the Emmanuel Family Life Center.
These special opening and closing ceremonies of Black History Month are believed to be the first and only held in the nation.
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