The Key West City Commission has proclaimed February as Black History Month and presented the proclamation to Pastor Denise McCloud of Trinity Presbyterian Church.
"We wanted to present this to Pastor McCloud," said Commissioner Clayton Lopez, "because some of the most revered celebrations of Black History have taken place at Trinity Church."
He emphasized the importance of passing the heritage and history to the Youth of Key West.
"Black History Month is a time to reflect on the many contributions made by African Americans to the country and Key West's economic, artistic, cultural, spiritual, educational, and political development," reads the proclamation.
"I look forward," said Commissioner Lopez, "to that day when we don't have to have a month, a week, a day to celebrate any segment of our community. I look forward to that day when it's all included rather than excluded and challenged."
Pastor McCloud invited the entire community to either of the two Black History programs being put on by her church and the children in the community. The first is on Saturday, February 26 at 3 PM. The second is on Sunday, February 27 at 11 AM. She added that a "soul food feast will follow the Sunday program."
Black History Month is celebrated nationwide, and the 2022 national theme for the observance is "Black Health and Wellness." It emphasizes the legacy of Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine and other ways of knowing, including birth workers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, and herbalists.
In the photo, members of the community join Pastor Denise McCloud, Mayor Teri Johnston, and the City Commission to recognize Black History Month at Tuesday's City Commission meeting.
