By Deseray McKinzy
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and it is a time to recognize African Americans’ central role in U.S. History. Historian Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the study of Negro Life and History and sponsored a national negro history week in 1926 and later led to the creation of Black History Month in 1976.
Here in Pine Bluff, Black History is rich with legacy’s like Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Laurence A. Davis, and Michelle Obama who all graced this beautiful city, not to mention the historically black University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff formally known as AM&N College.
The legacy here continues to progress in Pine Bluff with prominent community leaders, business owners, politicians, doctors, and teachers amongst others that are all African American and they play a vital role in the progression of the city.
One of those influential leaders, Sheriff Lafayette Woods from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, expressed what black history month is to him and the areas that African Americans have contributed to.
Sheriff Woods also spoke about his personal experiences and the legacy that has shaped his department and the community.
Be sure to tune in as we feature more residents expressing what Black History Month means to them.
