Celebrating African American heritage

Yearly, Americans observe the history of African Americans and pay tribute to the numerous contributions that have enriched American history.
This year’s national themes, “Celebrating Community: A Tribute to Black Fraternal, Social and Civic Institutions,” and “Reaching out to youth: a strategy for excellence,” were chosen to honor those institutions that served and continue to serve as a voice for African Americans through the years as they sought to achieve racial equality and to overcome social injustices.

Organizations like the world-renowned National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, National Association of Colored Women, Jack and Jill, black fraternities and sororities vocalized the concerns of African Americans.

These social and civic organizations amplified the voices and pleas of black Americans and designed their various missions to essentially accomplish the task of ensuring political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all people while eliminating racial hatred and discrimination.

National African American History Month, first observed for only a week, has been around since 1926 and its founding is credited to Harvard scholar Carter G. Woodson, who wanted to ensure the accurate documentation and dissemination of black history and the positive contributions of blacks to American history.

“We should emphasize not Negro History, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race hate and religious prejudice,” said Mr. Woodson.

Throughout February, the KMC African American Heritage committee will host a number of events around the KMC in celebration of black history month.

Come out and join in the celebration.
Feb. 8 – Volunteer at Northside Post Office
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Feb. 11 – Exhibitions at Ramstein Base Exchange
from 2 to 4 p.m.
Feb. 15 – Volunteer at Northside Post Office
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Feb. 16 – Ramstein Library Reading
at 10 a.m.
Feb. 18 – Spades/Dominoes Challenge at Ramstein Community Center Annex from 4 to 9 p.m.
Feb. 19 – Teen Skate Party from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Feb. 21 – Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Daenner Kaserne Community Center
Feb. 25 – Def Poetry Night from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Ramstein Enlisted Club
Feb. 25 – Skate Party
Feb. 28 – Soul Food Sampling at Northside Chapel
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.