By Dawn Burleigh

The Orange Leader

 

From Martin Luther King Jr. to Harriet Tubman, residents can gather together to honor Black History Month. A picnic celebrating Black History Month will be from 12 Noon – until at D.J.’s, located at 2200 Simmons Drive in Orange. Speakers, music, and creative dancing are scheduled.

Carter G. Woodson believed reason would prevail over prejudice. His hopes to raise awareness of African American’s contributions to civilization was realized when he and the organization he founded, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), conceived and announced Negro History Week in 1925. The event was first celebrated during a week in February 1926.

The celebration was expanded to a month in 1976, the nation’s bicentennial. President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history,” according to African American History Month’s official website.

Marva Paul, the owner of D.J.’s, said there will be something for everyone at the event.

“We will have hay rides, speakers, music, creative dancing, and a religious band will be performing inside,” Paul said.

There will be booths for one to register to vote or to register with the NAACP.

Artist John Manuel will also be at the event.

“We will have chili and Zummo sausages,” Paul said. “Everything is free.”

This year’s theme is Infusing Cultures.

The event is free and the public is welcomed.