Montco to host Black History Month program

NORRISTOWN >> 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, “Black Resistance,” as established by the Association for the Study of African American Life & History (ASALH).

“I want to thank our Black History Month Committee, who works hard each year to keep these critical conversations about creating equity in housing, homelessness, food insecurity, education, employment and other topics at the forefront to support the County’s racial equity work,” said Kenneth E. Lawrence, Vice Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “As we hold ourselves accountable in this work, I look forward to our collaborative advocacy and action to find solutions and create a sense of equity and belonging for all our residents and visitors.”

Four panels will be held each Wednesday in February from noon to 1:30 p.m. Learn more about the program here.

Wednesday, February 1 (VIRTUAL)

Topic: Housing, Homelessness and Food Programs

Wednesday, February 8 (VIRTUAL)

Topic: Education, Financial Institutions and Employment

Wednesday, February 15 (VIRTUAL)

Topic: Law Enforcement, Policing, Community Advocacy and Organizing

Wednesday, February 22 (IN-PERSON)

Topic: Celebration and Live Performances

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 they relate to the event theme and weekly topics. There will be an opportunity for registered participants to ask questions at the end of each event.

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.

These events are open to the community. The four events will also be livestreamed on the Health and Human Services Facebook page. For more information about the program, contact Lora Gonzalez at 610.278.3677 or Lora.Gonzalez@montgomerycountypa.gov.