Shining a Spotlight on African-American Culture, History

Supevisor Greg Cox presented a proclamation to (from left to right) Zenobia Howard, Toroshinia Kennedy and Debrah Champion, all of the African American Association of County Employees.The County’s new African-American employee resource group was recognized by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning, less than a year after forming.

Supervisor Greg Cox presented a proclamation to the African American Association of County Employees (AAACE) declaring February Black History Month in San Diego County. As part of the honor, he commended AAACE for its “outstanding leadership” in the short time since it formed in 2013.

“We’re delighted to have such an active and vibrant group of County employees that are focusing on encouraging employees in San Diego County to get training programs and to progress into leadership positions in the County,” Cox said. “It’s nice to have such strong representation of African-American employees in the County.”

A few AAACE leaders accepted the honor, including Interim President Zenobia Howard, Secretary Debrah Champion and Vice Chair of County Initiatives Toroshinia Kennedy.

Howard said she was elated when Cox’s office first invited her to accept the honor.

“I was just excited and honored all together,” she said.

Howard said the 121-member organization is thrilled to have such strong support from the Board of Supervisors and other top County officials.

Howard encouraged County employees to learn more about African-American culture and history this month by attending one of a few events planned in the coming weeks. This Saturday, Feb. 8, the San Diego County Library, AAACE and other sponsors will put on a Black History Month celebration at the Spring Valley Library from 1-4 p.m. The event is free. AAACE is also planning a Black History celebration Thursday, Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the County Operations Center’s plaza area. The events are open to everyone.

Employees can also visit such websites as the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC or the California African American Museum in Los Angeles.

AAACE also suggested the following books about African-American history and culture:

•    “Mirror to America, The Autobiography of John Hope Franklin”
•    “My Bondage and My Freedom,” by Federick Douglass and John David Smith
•    “The Souls of Black Folk,” by W.E.B. Du Bois
•     “The Mis-Education of the Negro” and “The Education of the Negro,” both by Carter G. Woodson
•    “Up from Slavery: An Autobiography” by Booker T. Washington
•    “Army Life in a Black Regiment,” by Thomas Wentworth Higgison.