In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded Black History Week and established it in February to acknowledge the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Black History Week became Black History Month 50 years later in 1976.
For the past five years, NYS Assembly Member Maritza Davila, supported by fellow elected officials and community organizations, has organized a Black History Month event that honors African American individuals whose work or efforts have stood out in the community.
Elected officials U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez, NYS Senator Julia Salazar, NYS Assembly Members Stefani Zinerman and Davila, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and NYC Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez and Sandy Nurse each select who they will honor at the event.
During the beginning of the event, Davila shared what inspired her to start this annual celebration. “We have to celebrate those that are here, that have paved the way, that have contributed to our community.”
This year’s honorees were NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams (Davila), NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull CEO Sandra Sneed (Davila), St. Nicks Alliance Chief of Staff Sarah Lorya (Velázquez), Hope Gardens Community Center Director and Coordinator Anita Haines (Salazar), the executive board of the Sumner Housing Tenant Association (Zinerman), Queens Borough Director Anthony Newerls for Southside United HDFC – Los Sures/Wick Against Violence Neighborhood Safety Coalition (Reynoso), Safety Coordinator Joseph Baptiste for St. Nicks Alliance’s Community Preservation (Gutiérrez), and Youth and Education Committee Chair Virgie Jones for Brooklyn Community Board 4 (Nurse).
Salazar added later on, “This event that our assemblywoman gathers us to celebrate each year is about making sure you feel seen for the work that you do.”…