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Kaiserslautern Military Community students, family members and friends joined Soldiers for a dynamic presentation in honor of Black History Month Feb. 10 at Kazabra Club on Vogelweh.
The annual celebration included a cooperative effort from Kaiserslautern’s middle and high school students, civilian volunteers and 21st Special Troops Battalion, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, personnel assigned in the area.
Among the attendees, special guests included Command Sgt. Maj. Alberto Delgado and Col. William Galbraith, deputy commanding officer, both with 21st TSC, as well as Lt. Col. Caprissa Brown-Slade, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Williams, with the 21st STB.
During the ceremony, Kaiserslautern Middle School eighth-grader Serenity Slade shared what Black History Month means to her through a presentation entitled “Faces of Slavery,” where she discussed famous slaves and abolitionists.
“Black History Month means recognizing all of the people that have sacrificed their lives for freedom,” Slade expressed.
Sgt. Asi Dzietror, unit supply specialist, 21st TSC, who was the guest speaker at the event, shared her story of tenacity as she discussed her journey from a young child living in Africa to becoming an NCO in the United States Army this Spring.
“We all want to progress in our lives, in our careers, in our families, in our society,” Dzietror said. “What we often fail to see is that without our problems and challenges, progress is impossible. So I will define progress as defining problems and overcoming challenges.”
Following Dzietror’s moving personal testimony, Kaiserslautern High School students took center stage with an interactive museum presentation of historically famous African Americans ranging from poet and author Maya Angelou to former United States first family Barack and Michelle Obama.
The presentation wrapped up with a motivation gospel praise dance performed by Staff Sgt. Willie Cook, human resource NCO in charge, 21st STB.
As a part of the events decor, the STB team featured photos of African Americans who also made military history, such as the Tuskegee Airmen and the first female reserve officer, Maj. Gen. Marcia Anderson.
“We wanted to see how we could bring the footprints of success into fruition,” Brown-Slade shared in her closing remarks. “We discuss having all aspect of the military represented here today, that includes people who had the opportunity to influence.”
