Several Chelsea organizations are pulling together this year to sponsor an entire month’s-worth of events around Black History Month, and the events will kick off tonight, Feb. 1, at City Hall with a presentation on the Latimer Society.
“It’s a very, very well put together program and it’s put together by a collaborative effort of many folks and organizations,” said Joan Cromwell of the Chelsea Black Community (CBC). “A lot of us came together and we’ve scheduled a great program for February. It went well last year, but this year we wanted it to be even more exciting.”
Those involved include Salma Taylor and Bea Cravatta of the City, the Latimer Society, Bunker Hill Community College, CAPIC, Chelsea Cable, the People’s AME Church, City Manager Tom Ambrosino, the CBC, and many local residents.
Kicking things off will be Ron and Leo Robinson of the Latimer Society.
Other highlights include a Taste of Culture Cook-Off on Feb. 19 at La Luz de Cristo at 738 Broadway.
There will also be an intergenerational open mic night, an art exhibit, and an evening of performing arts.
Cromwell said at the end of the month, they will have a celebration at the Williams School.
Within that, they will present eight Trailblazer Awards. Those receiving awards will be:
- John Lee, martial arts Hall of Fame
- Joanne Lee-Nieves, educator
- Sharon Caulfield, dean Bunker Hill
- Daniel Cruz, Cruz Construction
- Shaquor Sandiford, Village Talks
- Eastern Salt
- Gerry McCue, Chelsea Public Schools
- Betty Boyd, Chelsea High retiree