News from
The Michigan Democratic Party

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2010
Contact: John Tramontana
517-371-5410


MDP Celebrates Black History Month

February Honors Accomplishments, Contributions of African Americans


LANSING – Today the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) along with citizens around the state celebrate Black History Month.

“It is vitally important to remember the struggles of the past to thrive in the future,” said MDP Chair Mark Brewer. “While the United States has made great strides since Black History Month was first celebrated, including electing our nation’s first African American President, we must continue to make progress.”

Michigan has had many civil rights pioneers and prominent African Americans throughout its rich history. From civil rights icon Rosa Parks to the first African American in Michigan to hold statewide partisan elected office, Secretary of State Richard Austin, to individuals like Sojourner Truth, to Mayor Coleman Young, the first African-American mayor of Detroit.

The importance of black history has been recognized annually since 1926 when "Negro History Week" was instituted. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard scholar, is recognized as the father of “Negro History Week”. Woodson was a man who devoted his life to furthering the knowledge of Black people as a participant in history as opposed “to a lay figure.” He chose the month of February because it contained the birthdays of Fredrick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. “Negro History Week” later evolved into “Black History Month” in 1976, in honor of America’s bicentennial celebration.

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Michigan Democratic State Central Committee,
606 Townsend St., Lansing, 48933.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee