Why Black History Month?

The question is asked time-and-time again, by whites who could care less, and blacks who want to forget, "Is Black History Month necessary?  I always respond with a resounding “Yes!!”   The thought that this has to even be asked and answered makes me sick!  I can’t on any level understand how anyone could dare ask the question.  Consider the level of “historical understanding” that far too many of our Black Youth have today about their own history.  It is, to say the least, a disgrace and a sad reality that does not speak-well for the future success of our people.   Studies have shown that the current generation of young African Americans may less-educated, and more economically challenged than their elders.   The prospect of returning to enslavement is a possibility for our people if we are not mindful and on-guard.  This time our enslavement will look like the “prison industrial complex”; economic debt, lack of technical knowledge, and lack of spiritual development.  I am a hard-and-fast believer that the African American Church, National Black Organizations, Black Colleges and Universities, and the Black Press made it possible for the Black race to advance and rise above Slavery and Jim Crow Laws.  If we allow ourselves to forget how we “got-over” I fear we are doomed to return to the “dark-past” of our history.   Consider This: “Segregation was a contemptible way of life that institutionalized humiliation at every level of day-to-day commerce.  A Black-owned railroad project was launched, for example, but could not long sustain itself against increasingly insurmountable roadblocks to its operation.  But no matter the obstacle, Black entrepreneurs and investment groups continued to mount major efforts to turn a lemon of a situation into the lemonade of business advantage…..”   “When questions are raised on the quality of Black business leadership, the answer is that regardless of the odds against us, African-American business has been and remains a major source of achievement and innovation.”   (Glory Days: 365 Inspired Moments in African-American History – by Janus Adams; Harper Collins Publishers).
 
We must never forget the struggle, the sacrifice, and the progress that we have made as a people.  Black History is not to be remembered only during the month of February, but every day of the year.  We must celebrate our history in such a way that our youth will learn, be inspired, and try to up-hold the forward progress of our people.   We can’t afford to allow anyone or anything to deter us from knowing and growing further away from all forms of slavery and ignorance.  Should we celebrate Black History?  Yes we should!   We must celebrate Black History every day and in every way!   By the way, I believe in learning about all races, cultures and ethnic groups.  In celebrating world  history it makes us stronger as ONE!      

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Student Leadership Development Institute

On November 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd, 2013, I had the awesome pleasure of once again participating in the Annual Robert Lynch Student Leadership Development Institute (SLDI).   The SLDI is a weekend conference for African American college students and other underrepresented groups at Pennsylvania colleges and universities.  The hope is that the participants who attend the SLDI will return to their respective campuses as change agents and trailblazers.   Indeed, many who have attended the SLDI have accomplished this goal.  To prove this point, two of the SLDI keynote speakers Dr, William Davis Jr. and Mrs. Lashonna Smith, are former SLDI participants.   Dr. Davis is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Counseling at Alvernia University.  Mrs. Smith is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree from the interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA, and is happily married to Rev. Dr. Jahkimmo Smith, Pastor of Mount Zion AMEC in Southampton, Bermuda.  Both of these speakers along with Dr. Michael Miller, U.S. Ambassador of Adult Education, and Founder of the Beating the Odds Foundation, gave tremendous presentations that touched all in attendance at the SLDI.

This is my 26^th year serving as a workshop presenter for the SLDI.   The SLDI is celebrating 27 years of excellence in developing future leaders.  My wife Patricia has also been a presenter for the past 19 years.  We have celebrated 19 years of wedding anniversaries with the SLDI students and faculty.   We can’t think of a better way to celebrate our love for each other, than to be present at the SLDI and touch some of the past, present and future leaders of this world.   We consider this to be God’s blessing to us.

SLDI is a part of the Black Conference on Higher Education, Inc., which also holds an annual conference for educators and students.  The Conference was established, in 1971, by the HONORABLE k. Leroy Irvis, who was at that time, the Minority Leader and Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.  SLDI grew out of the Black Conference on Higher Education and was guided by Dr. Robert D. Lynch, Assistant to the President, of Lock Haven University.  After his leadership, Mr. Albert W. Jones, a former SLDI participant, and Lock Haven University Administrator, became the SLDI Director.  Mr. Jones announced at this year’s conference that he has accepted a position in private industry and is stepping down as the Director.   He will be a great lost to SLDI, however, we are blessed to have Mrs. Barbara A. Thompson, from Penn State Harrisburg, serve as the new Director of SLDI.   Her experience and long-time leadership position with SLDI makes Mrs. Thompson the best choice to lead this important organization into the future.

I am already looking forward to next year’s SLDI conference.   I know that we have many challenges in our communities.  There are times that seem so dark and bleak that it makes you want to throw-up your hands and just walk away.  The SLDI gives me energy and fuel to take the next step.  It keeps my faith strong and toughens my resolve to stay in the fight.  It reminds me that the fight is worth the battle, the war will be won, education is the key and God is in control.   Onward Ever – Backward Never!   Thank you SLDI!    

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