Page:Guantanamo Bay Gazette, 2006-02-24.pdf/1

Guantanamo Bay
Gazette

---

---

AACO celebrates African-American history month with dinner-dance By JO1 Igo Wordu, Public Affairs Office

Black History Month is American history heralded by the African-American experience. It recognizes the unique heritage that embodies the resolve of African-Americans to stand firm against adversity for the equality of all. In commemoration of the annual Black History Month celebration, the local AfricanAmerican Cultural Organization (AACO) is hosting the annual dinner dance at the Windjammer Club on Saturday, Feb. 25. “Our theme is 'Building Communities One Block at a Time.' The dinner-dance is yet another building block within the Communities that will allow all Americans to gather in a forum of celebration,” said Rohn McLean, president of the AACO. Dr. Ronald Archer will be the keynote speaker at the dinner dance. Archer, who was also the keynote speaker at last year’s

Photo provided by Archer Associates

Renowned speaker, Ron Archer, will deliver the keynote speech at the African-American heritage dinner dance. dinner-dance, is a renowned keynote speaker with more than 20 years as a professional business strategist. He is an author with several books including his latest, “Dunamis: Transcendent Power for the 21st Century.” McLean said he believes that African-Americans, regardless of their location, should always

Setting the record straight The Feb. 17 Gazette erroneously stated that the Valentine’s Day MotherDaughter Tea was sponsored by the Spouses’ Seminar Activity Group (SSAG). No such organization exists. The Spouses’ Seminar Committee coordinated last year’s Spouses’ Seminar, and this year’s Seminar LunPhoto by PH1(SW) Terry Matlock

cheon will be sponsored by the Officer and Civilian Spouses’ Club (OCSC). The Mother-Daughter Tea was sponsored by OCSC with the volunteers from the Enlisted Civilian Spouses’ Club (ECSC) and the community. We regret any confusion.

pull together and create a positive attitude within their community. “We have a great responsibility to our children and peers to uphold what opportunities have been provided to us by our African–American historian’s,” said McLean. “We owe those who have contributed to our luxuries in life, even though we may at times take them for granted.” McLean added that AfricanAmerican celebrations are often misconstrued to be an event for a particular race of people. “Essentially, celebration of the African-American heritage or any other heritage promotes unity and respect within our community, which is composed of people from different backgrounds,” said Taylor Edwards,

W.T. Sampson Elementary School teacher. Black History Month began in 1926 to recognize AfricanAmerican heritage. Dr. Carter Woodson, a Harvard scholar, was determined to bring black history into the mainstream public arena. He organized the first annual Negro History week, which took place during the second week of February. He chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Fredrick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln – men who were instrumental to the freedom of the black population. Over time, it evolved into a month-long celebration. “Today, Black History Month highlights the effort of those who were prominent, as well as the efforts of those who are lost in the annals of history,” Edwards said. An example of one of those seldom mentioned is Bassie Coleman. She became the first African-American woman to hold an aviation license. Although she lost her life in pursuit of her dream to become an aviator, her efforts paved the way for many African-Americans who hold the same dream. Her effort sparked the confidence in other African American pilots to pursue their dreams. The famous Tuskegee 99th fighter squadron was born as a result of that passion. Their Continued on page 6