As many of you know, February is BLACK history MONTH.
Black History Month (BHM), also known as African-American History Month, is an annual observance time celebrated in the U.S.
There are a handful of other countries worldwide who celebrate BHM under a different name called “Black Achievement Month”.
The precursor to Black History Month was “Negro History Week” created in 1926 in the United States, by historian Carter G. Woodson
It was chosen to be on the 2nd week of February because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and Fredrick Douglass (Feb. 14).
Beatitudes Campus has a “Black History Month (BHM) planning committee” The 2019 members are, Josie Gay, Nancy Cortez, Anthony Farias, Conroy Dennis, Bob Longoni, Betty Greathouse, Shirley Kendrick, Sherika Johnson, Doris Lyke, Ella Adams, Barbara Williams, Emma Walls, Betty Hullaby, and Gerald Roseberry, we are all motivated to participate in the BHM related events.
This year, the BHM Planning Committee wants to expand the recognition throughout the month instead of cramming all of the information into one 90 minute event like has been done in the past.
It all starts with me writing this article.
There will be a Black History Month display once a week in the bistro during lunch time. Each display in the roadrunner will be advertised with the date and time.
The BHM Committee will host one movie each week this month in the life Center which will also be advertised in the Roadrunner.
Look for BLACK HISTORY related information posted on the BEATITUDES CAMPUS COMMUNITY CHANNEL throughout this month.
The recognition will conclude at the end of the month with our grand finale!!! THE BEATITUDES 6TH ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH event created and lead by campus staff member, Josie Gay, on Thursday, February 28.
I am most excited about my former fitness client and friend, VERNON PARKER, (Paradise Valley's 1st Black Mayor) who will come and speak at the event. He will be sharing his experiences from when he worked in the White House during both “President Bush” administrations.
Why am I so excited to participate in this event?
Many different conversations lead me to realize that a lot of our residents and staff do not know of the many aspects of Black history. I thought that it was common knowledge to most Americans, but I was wrong.
For example, most poeple in one of my wellness classes didn't know that there is a Negro National Anthem.
The reactions were quite comical before I convinced the ones who didn't know that the song really does exist!
What I found most amazing about this matter is that residents whom I spoke with (who are not African American) were interested in knowing MORE about African American Culture. It will be our pleasure to present these topics to you, just think of it as “Black History 101.” Please join us in the Celebration. I hope that you will find it to be educational and fun! *
Get involved!
Comments