Project Description
Black History Month at COA
Black History Month is a time to honor, and celebrate, the remarkable contributions and legacies of African Americans across U.S. history. During the month of February, COA staff and participants celebrated Black history at our community centers through educational activities, a festive spirit week, a Black history read-along program, and more!
Celebrating Black History Month is not only about celebrating the past, it is also about celebrating the present. We would be remiss if we did not celebrate our own staff, including our Executive Director, Charlotte Cannon-Sain. She is making her own black history by being the first woman and first African American to lead COA in its 116 year history. A huge appreciation goes to the dynamic Black staff and leadership members at COA who work every day to carry out COA’s mission and empower our communities. Your leadership, passion, dedication, and drive do not go unnoticed. Thank you to all history makers for all you do and for inspiring the next generation of history makers.
Celebrating Black History at COA’s Centers
COA Youth & Family Centers is proud to celebrate Black History Month by engaging children of all backgrounds in fun and educational activities that honor Black history and culture.
Throughout the month of February, youth and staff at our Goldin and Riverwest Community Centers participated in fun education activities while learning more about influential Black leaders and movements that have shaped history and the present day. Youth and staff also participated in fun educational activities and decorated the halls of our centers with inspirational quotes, and information about inspirational Black leaders, athletes, poets, authors, musicians, and more.
Black History Spirit Week
At COA’s Goldin Center, youth participants and COA staff participated in a spirit week to celebrate Black history!
Monday, February 15th: Love Yourself Day!
Everyone was encouraged to wear the color red, or Valentine’s Day attire, to show how you love yourself and where you came from!
Tuesday, February 16th: Blackout Tuesday!
Everyone was encouraged to dress in all black to show their pride!
Wednesday, February 17th: All Black Everythang!
COA staff and participants came dressed in gear from their favorite Black-owned businesses.
Thursday, February 18th: The Best and Brightest
Everyone was asked to come to the Goldin center dressed as a Black inspirational leader.
Friday, February 19th: Dashiki Day
COA staff and participants arrived in a dashiki or dressed in the colors red, black, and green to show their African pride!
Black History Month Read Alouds
To further celebrate Black History Month, staff at COA’s Riverwest Community Center planned a Black History Month Read Aloud program for youth participants.
The read-aloud program featured incredible Black women who work at COA. Executive Director, Charlotte Cannon-Sain, Director of Programs, Nicole Thompson, Andrea Austin, Director at Burke Early Education Center, and Lorenzya Polnitz, Director of Community Services, read books to children in the early education center classrooms. One of the books read to youth was, Just Like Me, written by Vanessa Brantley.