Black History Month Celebrating Resistance & Inclusion: In 1976, President Gerald Ford called upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
Today, Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans across U.S. history and society—from activists and civil rights pioneers to leaders in industry, politics, science, culture and more. “Black Resistance,” explores how “African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, since the nation’s earliest days.
“Black History Month is an important time to honor and remember the contributions and achievements of Black Americans throughout U.S. history, along with their sacrifices and struggles. As a society, we’ve come a long way, but there are always sobering and painful reminders in our country of the work that still needs to be done to achieve intentional equity and inclusive progress,” said St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch.
On February 2, 2023 Mayor Welch and other St. Petersburg leaders came together for a flag raising at City Hall to celebrate and commemorate the rich culture, achievements, and history of Black people but also to honor the legacy of a man celebrated as the father of Black history, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who wrote extensively about the powerful connections between knowledge and education to achieve real freedom and racial equality.
Under the Hines/Rays plan to redevelop the 86 acres where Tropicana Field sits now, a new state-of-the-art Woodson African American Museum of Florida will be erected and it will be one of a kind in the state of Florida.