NEWS
MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
COURT HOUSE, NORRISTOWN, PA., BOX 311, 19404-0311
PHONE (610) 278-3061 FAX 278-5943
COMMISSIONERS:
JAMES R. MATTHEWS, Chairman, JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL, BRUCE L. CASTOR, JR
RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY 02/07/08 PR#08-03
Montgomery County Celebrates Black History Month
NORRISTOWN — Montgomery County’s 2008 Black History Month celebration will be held Wednesday, February 20, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Montgomery County Human Services Center 1430 DeKalb Street in Norristown, PA. The program will again embrace an intergenerational approach to a festive, educational celebration of African American culture.
“Each year just gets better and better, with this year’s theme and participants being a perfect fit!” said Marlene Harris-Peter, Black History Month Committee Chairperson. “ I believe the theme for this year, ‘Pride, Perseverance, and Progress’, in and of itself speaks to the African American people, and no doubt there’s at least one story, vision or hope we could all tell relevant to those three words.”
The keynote speaker will be State Senator LeAnna M. Washington who represents the 4th Senatorial District. Program panelists will include Dr. Benjamin F. Gilbert, III, Gilbert Dental Center, Michelle A. Simmons Obalaja, Founder and CEO of Why Not Prosper, Inc., Oscar P. Vance, Jr., Chief County Detective, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, and Reverend Brian M. Weatherspoon, Pastor of Tabernacle International Deliverance Church.
In addition to the panelists, the day’s activities will include musical selections by Barry Sames and The Cornerstone Christian Academy Choir and dance performances by West Chester Dance Works and The Abington School District Men’s Step Club. Representatives from both the Tuskegee Airmen and Buffalo Soldiers will attend the program. Marquis C. Weeks, Vice President of Hard Hats Football Academy, will also attend the program. Cultural/ethnic educational displays will be presented compliments of the Norristown and Upper Merion Libraries.
The Montgomery County Health Department will provide free blood pressure screenings, in addition to rapid HIV testing. The Montgomery County Housing Department will provide information regarding the first-time homebuyers program. A delicious “soul food” lunch menu will be available for a cost of $6 per platter.
