A couple of inspirational messages were shared during a flag raising ceremony in Chatham to kick off Black History Month.
Executive Director-Curator of the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum Doug Robbins quoted Black leaders and activists Dr. Samuel Cook, Harriet Tubman, and Bishop Desmond Tutu to a large crowd braving the rain on Friday at the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre, encouraging them to strive for excellence, dream of success, and work hard.
Robbins hopes the words empower the oppressed, inspire future generations, and motivate everyone to treat all humans with dignity and respect.
Councillor Marjorie Crew brought greetings and well wishes from Mayor Darrin Canniff and the rest of Council.
Councillor Crew said this is a time to honour the legacy of the Black community.
"Black history is important to all of us, it's a shared history. Not just Black history, Chatham-Kent history, it's a history of humanity. Chatham-Kent is home to some of the most successful Black settlements in Canadian history. This community has shaped Chatham-Kent and Canada," said Crew.
The crowd attended in solidarity and included Black and White members of the community along with other ethnic backgrounds, Chatham-Kent Police Chief Kirk Earley and other police leaders and members, Councillors Ryan Doyle and Alysson Storey, and CK Chief Administrative Officer Michael Duben.
Robbins said this is the first time there's been an entire month of Black History celebrations in Chatham-Kent.
