Fort Huachuca, Arizona (March 2, 2015) -- The mood was light and joyous as more than 100 people of all backgrounds gathered at the Thunder Mountain Activity Centre Feb. 26 to celebrate the 100th anniversary observance of Black History Month.
"I always like the culture of Black History Month. I just wanted to see the festivities and what they will be presenting this year," said Allitra Williams, who works for the Family Advocacy Program, Army Community Service, on Fort Huachuca. Williams attended the event with her husband James who said, "it is important to remind people of the past at events such as this."
This year's national theme for African American/Black History Month is "A Century of Black Life, History and Culture." All of these were touched on during the ceremony.
The crowd was entertained with a brief history video that took them back in time, the reading of the presidential proclamation on African American Black History Month and a step dance performance from Buena High School's Fire and Ice step team. The crowd was brought to their feet in a standing ovation for the dancers after their performance, which mixed step with songs from artists such as Michael Jackson.
Selena Leuluai, 17, a senior and captain of Fire and Ice said, "This, so far, is one of the best performances I have had during my years with Fire and Ice, and I am so proud of my girls. They did an awesome job."
"Performing at Black History Month is really important because the step team started with blacks, they're the one that started it, and helping us to step as part of their culture is a really great experience and just learning new things," she added.
The crowd was once again brought to their feet after hearing from guest speaker Lt. Col. Alvin Brown, Network Enterprise Technology Command assistant chief of staff, deputy chief of current operations G3/5/7.
"Everyone here represents life, culture and history, over the past century. African American life, history and culture have become major forces in the United States and the world. Who could have predicted that the people of color would play a major role in shaping world politics, war, and diplomacy a century ago," Brown said.
"We are all Americans, a fabric that is competent because our struggles matter in human history," Brown told the crowd. "You may not be able to change the world but you certainly influence a portion of it," he concluded.
Brown said events such as black history observances are important because they provide insight to where we were and give us guidance to where we are going. "Today was my intent was to give them insight that they themselves can be pioneers for the next century," he said.
One audience member, Sgt. Nicole Hatcher, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, said the event was absolutely amazing.
"The high school girls killed it, they did the best, and I loved [Brown's] speech. Days like this are important because not only does it educate everyone but it also reminds us of the things that we kind of forget once we get out of school, to be thankful for where we are now because we can't be here without our past," Hatcher said.
After the speeches were concluded, attendees were able to taste free cultural food samplings. Dishes included: collard greens, macaroni and cheese, corn bread, deviled eggs, potato salad, red beans and rice, chicken wingettes, black eyed peas, banana pudding and sweet tea.
Social Sharing