Mahoning Valley Historical Society will again partner with the Greater Mahoning Valley 1619 Committee to honor and celebrate Black history.
Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 1, MVHS will host “A Black History and Cultural Expo” in the Anne Kilcawley Christman Gallery on the third floor of Tyler History Center, 325 W. Federal St. in downtown Youngstown.
The expo includes work by local Black artists, a display honoring the National Council of Negro Women, and the Ebony All Sports Hall of Fame – a tribute to local Black athletes.
Admission to Tyler and to the Arms Family Museum will be free through Sunday, Feb. 5. The expo runs through Wednesday, Feb. 22.
The 1619 Committee is part of the 1619 Project, an ongoing initiative by The New York Times that began in August 2019, which is generally regarded as the 400-year anniversary of the beginning of African slavery in America.
Helen Youngblood, co-chair of the 1619 Committee, said the group originally only planned to celebrate that year, but people continued to support the campaign and the committee.
“We have done different things to honor different Black people each year, like the police department and veterans,” she said. “This is the first time I know of that all three museums are having Black expos.” Youngblood was referring to additional exhibits at the Butler Institute of American Art, and the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor.
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