February is Black History Month.
Black History Month is an annual acknowledgment of the achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the role of blacks in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.
In Wisconsin, the month was noted by Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes....
"..This month in Wisconsin we celebrate Black History. Our history, and when I say 'our history' I mean everyone in our state, because black history is our history. So we give honor to those who laid the foundation for those of us who have the privilege to serve the great state of Wisconsin. From people like Ezekiel Gillespie who was born a slave in Tennessee but later moved to Wisconsin. He fought for, and won the right, for black Wisconsinites to vote. People like Vel Phillips who was the first black person to hold statewide office here. This trailblazing woman whose activism paved the way for me to become the state's first black Lt. Governor..."
The Lt. Governor said he hopes the goals include an effort for everyone to thrive, regardless of zip code. Comments supplied by the Democratic weekly radio address.
