Public Employee Press

Black History Month at DC37: Honoring our heritage

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

Inspiring unionists to have a global perspective on the 21st century challenges and to value civil rights victories, labor legend William Lucy recounted his work with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the DC 37 Black History Committee honored three grassroots groups for uplifting the African Diaspora at the union’s 27th annual Black History Month Finale celebration on Feb. 29.

An audience of more than 400 members helped close a month-long program of rich cultural traditions with guest speakers, live music, dance and drama highlighting the contributions and achievements of African Americans. The committee also sponsored a financial seminar Wed., Feb. 13 to help DC 37 members learn to pay down debt and increase their savings.

“This celebration is not about any one group, but it’s about us, the real us, and what we can accomplish when we come together,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. “We can shape the future.”

The real us
The committee presented its first African Diaspora Awards to Ms. Roberts for her lifelong work in the labor movement and to three grassroots groups (see below). Drummers led a procession that included a dozen DC 37 retirees who have been at the forefront of the union since its early days.

On display in the union hall galleria was a tribute to the 400 ancestors interred at the African Burial Grounds, a National Historic Landmark in lower Manhattan. Finale night entertainment included classical music by the sibling trio JoSunJari, a reading by poet Gloria Campbell and traditional African dance and drumming by the Sherekea Dance Troupe. “Your union has set an example by providing consistently great programs that focus on the diversity and cultures that make the union strong and make us the envy of the world,” wrote Gerald W. McEntee, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, DC 37’s parent union, in a letter that was read at the event.

“Some 22 local unions participated in this year’s Black History Month celebrations and more than 4,000 members attended the events we’ve held,” said Committee Co-chair Cynthia Chin-Marshall, administrator of the DC 37 Health and Security Plan.

Through excerpts from a documentary on the 1968 Memphis sanitation workers’ strike, keynote speaker William Lucy, AFSCME’s secretary-treasurer, told of Dr. King’s struggle for workers’ rights, his tragic assassination and the bittersweet triumph of AFSCME’s contract victory.

“Despite a premonition of his own death, and the government’s conspiracy to infiltrate and smear his nonviolent campaign, Dr. King was determined to fight on behalf of workers worldwide,” said Lucy.

“Let me remind you that Dr. King was not merely a civil rights leader, he was a fighter for workers rights, a fighter for human rights. He was recognized for his work with a Nobel Peace Prize,” Lucy said. “Our legacy and ties to Dr. King place upon us a moral obligation to keep the union strong.”

William Lucy (l.), Rep Charles Rangel, Roberts, and Sen. Diane Savino (c.), at DC 37. Right: Angelz of Praise Youth Fellowship Dancers at L. 372 event.
FROM HOUSE OF LABOR TO COURT HOUSE: NY State Supreme Court Justice Sylvia Hinds-Raddix, a former MELS attorney, was guest speaker, pictured with DC 37 PAC Chair Lenny Allen, at the Pol. Action Dept.’s Black History Month event on Feb. 14. “If we’re not optimistic about progress, then we’re doomed to failure,” said Hinds-Raddix.	MAKING NEWS: Lcoal 375 keynote speaker for Black History was NY1 reporter Dean Meminger, who said, “It’s great to see not just black people at this event — everyone must come together in this city.”	CIVIL RIGHT ACTIVIST: Local 372 keynote speaker Major General Joseph McNeil, who was part of the lunch counter sit-ins in Greensboro, N.C. “A lot of people who where sitting on the sidelines were anxiously waiting to get involved,” he said.	STRUGGLE, RESPECT AND FREEDOM: Guest speaker AFSCME Sec. Treasurer William Lucy, said, “In spite of slavery, Black Americans perserved and helped improve the lives of others."	Henry Garrido at Local 154 event.	MUSIC LEGENDS: Local 957 celebrated Black History Month at the union hall with jazz, soul and rhythym and blues during Black History Month on Feb. 19, with songs by legendary singing groups the Platters, the Drifters, Tina Turner and more.

African Diaspora Awards
The DC 37 Black History Committee presented its first African Diaspora Award to Roberts for her lifelong work.	Vivian Achieng Kenyan activist	Chin-Marshall and Balm of Gilead’s Pernessa Seele	Lenora and Eddie Gates accept award for BASICS.
In African-American tradition, the older generation asks in earnest: “What will you say when the ancestors ask, ‘What did you do with your freedom?’ ” The DC 37 Black History Committee honored four leaders who will have complete answers. The first DC 37 Black History Committee African Diaspora Awards were presented Feb. 29 to three grassroots groups — Balm of Gilead, for AIDS activism; the Sherekea Clean Water Project, which builds wells to supply drinking water to local villages in Kenya; BASICS, a student support group in Ghana — and to DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts for her lifelong work in the labor movement.