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BELLEFONTE -- The Centre County Commissioners have proclaimed February as Black History month in the county.
Attending virtually for the proclamation was Leslie Laing.
Laing is the Director of Adult Learner Programs & Services at Penn State and is a 17-year resident of Centre County. Laing has an impressive resume -- she was a past president for the Forum on Black Affairs (FOBA) and was awarded the 2023 Humanitarian of the Year Award. She also does the planning for Juneteenth in all of State College.
Last year, Laing and her daughter, Eilana, attended a commissioners meeting and spoke about local Black Americans whose daily lives, workplace and surrounding community had notable firsts, including Thelma Price, Dr. Donna King, Bill Asbury, Barbara Farmer, Blannie Bowen, Grace Hampton, Coquese Washington, Sultan Magruder, Pamela Robb, Divine Lipscomb, Cynthia Young and Kikora Franklin.
Laing spoke about the origin and history of Black History Month, which dates back to 1915 when Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. She noted that Woodson was born to former slaves, and was not only the second African American to earn a doctoral degree from Harvard University, but he also was the Dean of Howard University.
"Black history was often overlooked, ignored and suppressed by the writers of textbooks. Carter G. Woodson began a scholarly journal of negro history... locally, a Penn State librarian, Racine Amos, launched the idea (of a) collective public history and arts initiative called the Black History of Centre County project. In 2019, hoping to open people’s eyes to our local contributions being made here in Central PA, one of our grad students, Carmen Wong, wrote a play based on our local history and it was performed in Bellefonte last April," said Laing.
The national theme for 2024 is "African Americans and the Arts," exploring how African Americans have used art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment.
"Of course, 'Arts' includes our literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music and many more forms of our rich African American cultural expression," said Laing.
Laing spoke about numerous grad students, and their experiences with the importance of Black History being taught in classrooms and how influential it was; noting that many Black students often don't see Black teachers until they reach college.
Laing reminded everyone in attendance to not underestimate the power of education.
"Everyone deserves the freedom to read," said Laing. "Maya Angelou said, 'Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep, continuing needs, is good for him.'"
She encouraged local leaders to stand up for reading and studying of Black history in schools; highlighting the Black arts movement as a successful example of activism.
"We must keep the movement in motion, continue recognizing the value, accomplishments and contributions of our rich Black history," said Laing.
Gary Abdullah, an elder at Unity Church of Jesus Christ in State College and founding member of the Martin Luther King Plaza Committee, praised the commissioners on the continued recognition of Black History month, as well as Laing's leadership towards the initiative.
"This process that we are engaged in now could feel like a recognition only of the past, but it’s important to keep the idea in front of us that we are looking at the future as we do this. As we embrace the idea of Black History Month and other such recognitions, it’s important to realize we are welcoming and embracing the people that those concepts represent," said Abdullah.
Commissioner Mark Higgins noted that he recently read an article regarding the Centre County census from 1850.
"African Americans go back almost to the beginning of Centre County in terms of being permanent residents. I think there were hundreds of African Americas who were residents of Bellefonte during that census," said Higgins.
Charles and Jo Dumas, active members and enthusiasts of the arts in Centre County, also attended the meeting to support the message of Black History month.
"At that time (1995), if you looked around Centre County there were very, very few African Americans in presence. People weren't working in supermarkets, they weren't working in retail, they weren't visible. Part of the visibility of African Americans in Centre County is not just due to the fact that there are more folks here or that there are very active folks, but you guys. You have seen the need for diversity not just for representation, but the need for diversity for the betterment of all people in Centre County," said Charles.
The commissioners encouraged all community members through the proclamation to celebrate Centre County's diverse heritage and culture, and continue to create a world that is more just, peaceful and prosperous for all.
Commissioner Amber Concepcion reflected on one of Laing's previous comments, "You can't be what you can't see."
"This proclamation is partly a statement of that. The importance of teaching Black History in our schools and throughout our community so that everyone in the community understands the rich history of African Americans in Centre County and their contributions throughout the United States," said Concepcion.
Concepcion also commented on the importance of students having the chance to read literature by those like Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes.
"To a great extent, American literature is really built on African American authors and the stories they've contributed," said Concepcion.
"History is created every day. The things we do today will be remembered tomorrow," said Commissioner Steven Dershem, "I think we are so blessed in our community to have such a moving force going forward. From a kid growing up in this area, I remember the AME church in Bellefonte, all the speculation (on) 'was this house an underground railroad site?'"
He spoke about African American influences in music and other arts, excitedly talking about the impact to the area and beyond.
"There's so much to celebrate, so much to know and keeping that spirit and history alive is important. But moving forward, making it better and making a better understanding and creating new memories... I think that's what makes us special here in Centre County," said Dershem.