Black history month to kick off

  • Published
  • By By 1st Lt. Raymond Akin
  • 60th Operations Group
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  February is the Travis community’s time of celebration for Black History.

The African American Heritage Committee is putting on several culturally broadening events throughout the month, spreading awareness about the history of African Americans to the whole of Travis.

African Americans are intertwined with the American historical perspective. Since our earliest colonial history, they have shaped, built, influenced and forged many aspects of American history.

To commemorate these achievements, 20 of the most prolific African American contributors in all fields were selected and their images will be prominently displayed throughout Travis in life-size form and with a short historical description.

Look for this “moving exhibit” in various high-traffic locations, such as the Sierra Inn Dining Facility, the Delta Breeze Club, the Base Exchange and the Maintenance Atrium starting Wednesday.

Additionally, the AAHC will kick-off Black History Month with a luncheon featuring African dancers and Chief Master Sgt. Brye McMillon, 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief, as the guest speaker Thursday.

In the third week of February, look for the Gospel Extravaganza, hosted in conjunction with the Chaplain’s office. Several choirs from the surrounding community have volunteered to come for a gala five-hour event celebrating African American-inspired gospel music. Attendees can expect refreshments and a lively experience.

Feb. 13 through 17, Travis will celebrate the “Grass-Roots” period, where members of the AAHC will visit Travis schools to speak with children about the importance of keeping the various aspects of Black History alive and in the forefront of our minds.

It is also a special opportunity to release and advertise the high school junior- and senior-level essay-writing contest, which will award a first, second and third place winner funds to put toward college or other necessities in preparation for college.

Finally, Black History Month will close in the fourth week of February with a formal fund-raising dinner theater Feb. 25 and “The Meeting” sponsored by DTRA to be held Feb. 28.
“The Meeting,” depicts an emotional confrontation between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. These two capstone events are a distinctive and thought-provoking closure to an evocative month-long celebration of Black History.

For more information about these events, call 2nd Lt. Jessica Stringer at 424-7744.