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News | Feb. 13, 2020

African American History Month celebrated through song

By Christian Deluca DLA Troop Support Public Affairs

The rich cultural history of African Americans was celebrated through narration and song at the African American History Month observance Feb. 12 in Philadelphia.

Key Arts productions provided a multi-media presentation including video, slideshows, narration and live music that took the audience through a highlighted timeline of the African American history.

Prior to the presentation, Army Brig. Gen. Gavin Lawrence, DLA Troop Support Commander, spoke about the history of the month-long celebration and this year’s theme, “African Americans and the Vote.”

“The theme explores the past, and ongoing struggles for African Americans to be a part of the United States democracy,” Lawrence said. “It highlights the successes and challenges they faced as they moved from slavery, through the Jim Crow era into the civil rights and beyond.”

Joe Patterson, Key Arts presenter, said the month is a time to reflect on the history of African Americans and to come together and celebrate our differences.

“Every time we come to DLA Troop Support we have a wonderful time,” Patterson said. “We feel your energy, the energy of unity, and you sing along with us as we celebrate what makes us different, our diversity, and that’s a wonderful thing.”

Key Arts production entertainers touched on various milestones in the country’s history while performing songs by prominent African American artists such as Billie Holliday, Fats Waller and Louis Armstrong.

The Troop Support and NAVSUP Weapons Systems Support Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committees sponsored the event.