The Mayor and Council will proclaim February as National African American History Month at their Monday, Feb. 4 meeting, recognizing “a time for all Americans to remember the stories of those who helped build our nation and took a stance against prejudice.”
Also known as Black History Month, it’s a time to reflect on the significant contributions made by the black community to Maryland, Montgomery County and Rockville. Here’s how you can do that:
Rockville has played a major part in ever-increasing educational opportunities for African-American students and historian Ralph Buglass will deliver a Black History Month talk on Rockville’s Role in the Education of African-Americans at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, at Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Ave. The event is co-sponsored by Friends of the Library, Rockville Memorial Chapter.
Follow along with Rockville 11 over the month as they showcase Black History Month videos and look back on an archive of channel 11 content across the years that celebrates the deep legacy of Rockville’s African-American community. Also check out Rockville 11’s videos about the new Bayard Rustin Elementary School in Rockville, named for the prominent civil rights activist.
Tour Rockville’s black history in person or digitally from the comfort of your home with your computer or smartphone. The African-American Heritage Walking Tour story map documents the people and places in the city that played important roles in Rockville’s black history.
In addition:
- Visit Maryland has a roundup of the month’s events throughout the state.
- Montgomery County Public Libraries lists its African-American history programs, as does Heritage Montgomery.
- The Arts and Letters Committee of the Montgomery County (MD) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Sorority, Inc., will hold its Black History Month Celebration from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 at the White Oak Community Center, 1700 April Lane, Silver Spring.
- Join Montgomery County Parks for Family Day, noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9 at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring.
- Montgomery County Media’s Black History Month guide has a useful list of February events.