Delaware celebrates African-American History Month
Nearly 150 people gathered at the Delaware Public Archives Feb. 13 for Gov. John Carney's proclamation of February as African-American History Month. He said the occasion honors "a persistence, a resilience, a real commitment" to the nation's ideals.
"Today we commemorate African-American History Month in Delaware and honor the significant roles African-American men and women have played in Delaware's economic, cultural, spiritual and political development," said Carney. "African-Americans have fought around the world to protect and guarantee freedoms they didn't enjoy here at home. It's a strong history, and it's a history that we are proud to recognize in Delaware."
Carney, along with State Archivist Stephen Marz and Deputy Secretary of State Dr. Courtney Stewart, also welcomed Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, Delaware's first female and first African-American member of Congress.
"I wanted to come and tell you that hope is still alive ... we are not just mighty, we are mightier than we have ever been," said Blunt Rochester.
The Archives also unveiled a new exhibit that chronicles the history of African-American elected officials in Delaware. It is an extension of the Archives' Delaware Votes exhibit highlighting the history of Delaware gubernatorial elections through documents, photographs and memorabilia.
To end Monday's program, Tina Betz, executive director of the Light Up the Queen Foundation in Wilmington, led students, dignitaries and guests in an uplifting version of "This Little Light Of Mine."
