By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to The AFRO
On Saturday, February 28, under the theme of “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” several hundred people committed to the research, preservation and dissemination of information about Black life, history and culture, gathered in Washington, D.C. at the JW Marriott for an historic event.
With the spirit of the Father of Black History, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, clearly present, the leaders of the organization which he founded in September 1915 in Chicago, Ill., now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), hosted the 100th annual Black History Month Luncheon.
Sheila Fleming, former ASALH president, said the luncheon occurred at a critical moment in the lives of African Americans.
“We are in a state of emergency for Black people and for Black history,” said Fleming, who noted attacks on DEI, cuts in funding to historic Black colleges and universities and a rise in segregation and the wealth gap between Blacks and Whites as reasons to be alarmed.
Fleming concluded her statement of the occasion of the luncheon with the words of Woodson which underscored her belief in the critical need to document Black history to ensure the survival and progress of the race.
“As Woodson said, ‘if a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated,’” she said.
Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch, the first Black secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, emphasized that while the event represented a day of celebration, it also marked a sobering call to action.
“I am amazed with the audacity of those who seek to erase or rewrite Black history, but as others today have noted, we have seen this before,” Bunch said. “But let me assure you that nothing has been removed from the Smithsonian despite those claims that would suggest otherwise.”
“We cannot ignore the reality that we are in a struggle, in a fight, at war. And we will continue to fight and to promote the good works established by Dr. Woodson so his legacy remains alive and well for another 100 years,” Bunch continued. “As for those who stand in our way, I can only, they can run but they cannot hide from the truth that is revealed in our stories which chronicle unredacted Black history.”
Prior to the keynote address, which was given by Karsonya Wise Whitehead, ASALH president, a special tribute was held in honor of Gladys Gary Vaughn, luncheon committee chair.
Vaughn, a member of ASALH’s executive council and former national program leader, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is nationally recognized for her commitment to providing leadership opportunities for Black women in their communities, civic, social, and professional organizations and faith congregations.
After tributes were shared by spokespersons representing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.; The Links, Inc.; Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C.; ASALH and others, Vaughn expressed her sentiments.
“I am deeply touched and thankful that the work I have done has added up to what has been described today,” Vaughn said. “But truthfully, I simply tried to solve a problem that I found existed within my community that I believed Black women could solve. And we did.”
Several noted historians then shared their thoughts about the significance of the day and importance of remaining committed to the study of Black life and history, including former ASALH president Daryl Michael Scott, and Joseph Harris, a pioneer in the study of the history of Africa and the African diaspora.
After the tribute, a powerful message from the keynote speaker, Dr. Whitehead, was delivered under the theme, “the stronger the wind, the deeper the roots.” The address inspired the audience to its feet.
“When under attack, Black people have found a way to withstand the storms and to grow, because we are like trees whose roots are planted in good soil,” Whitehead said.
She implored the audience to teach Black children how to weather the storms that will inevitably occur in their lives.
“We have to help our children develop their talents, their treasures, and to respect the proper use of their time,” Whitehead said. “Only then, will they be prepared to go out on their own, following their own dreams and not be distracted by empty promises.”
