Under the baobab: Centre County marks Black History Month with proclamations and more
Happy Black History Month. A national observance since 1976 under the Ford administration, is a time “to honor the achievements, contributions and the enduring legacy of African Americans” locally and nationally.
This celebration evolved out of Black History week established in 1926 by the historian Carter G. Woodson. Noting that African American contributions “were overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them,” he concluded that “race prejudice is merely the logical result of tradition, the inevitable outcome of the false instruction to the effect that the Negro has never contributed anything to the progress of mankind.” In 2026 the national theme of BHM is “A Century of Black Commemorations.”
The Centre County Commissioners proclaimed BHM in the county this week, stating that “we must acknowledge the power, perseverance, and exemplary achievements of Black Americans, who continue to move us toward freedom, fairness, justice and equality.” Leslie Laing, accompanied by Gary Abdullah, myself and Jo Dumas, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the community.
Terry Watson, co-director of CCU, accepted the BHM proclamation of the State College Borough given by Mayor Ezra Nanes and Council President Evan Myers. Borough Poet Laureate Carmin Wong was also part of the acceptance committee.
The Penn State School of the Theatre, under director Kikora Franklin, presented the musical play, “Whew Chile! Black Women Working” at the Downtown Theatre. The wonderful original piece was written, directed and performed by Rasa “Ray Dray” Drane. It “centered on the brilliance, resilience, humor and joy of Black women navigating work and life, with a special celebration for those doing this work right here in Happy Valley.”
LaSha Hardy, Jessica Henry, Chantel Harley and Issa Rae Drane filled out the talented cast. Stephen Mariner, Jaden Adkins, Khalil Frazier and Gary Abdullah performed the original music. The unique and provocative piece entertained and delighted the sold-out audience.
The Center for the Performing Arts, under director Sita Frederick, presented the extraordinary Terri Lyne Carrington’s original “Freedom Now Suite — We Insist, 2025,” a re-imagining of Max Roach and Oscar Brown Jr.’s composition. The jazz ensemble featured: Christie Dashiell, vocals, Milena Casado, trumpet, Matthew Stevens, guitar, Morgan Guerin, bass & sax.
“Freedom Now Suite — We Insist, 2025” was nominated for a Grammy this year. The piece is especially meaningful to me. Oscar Brown was my literary godfather when I was a teenager in Chicago. Oscar and Gwendolyn Brooks inspired and tutored me in the grace and power of composing African American poetry.
The Palmer Museum opened the “Insistent Presence: Contemporary African Art from The Chazen Collection.” The exbibit was curated by Ugandan artist Margaret Nagawa.
The Borough of State College, the Community Diversity Group and the American Association of University Women sponsored a “National Day of Racial Healing” at the municipal building. Chiluvya Zulu, associate director for access, equity, and inclusion, was emcee and organizer. Keynote speakers were Dr. Leah Hollis and Prof. Wanda Knight.
Elsewhere around town
The Penn State women’s hockey team has four players in the Olympics. Both the men and women’s basketball teams have won their first Big Ten game. And the PSU wrestling dynasty continues.
Gimme Shelter, the annual benefit concert to support Centre Safe, Housing Transitions, Out of the Cold, State College Community Land Trust and Centre County Youth Services Bureau, was held at The South Hills School of Business & Technology. Benefit sponsors included Kish Bank, Raising Cane’s, Wegmans, the Family Clothesline and the Borough of State College. Performing were The Nittany Knights, Biscuit Jam, Jason O and local celeb Eric Ian Farmer. Jeff Brown was the emcee while Mayor Nanes shared welcoming words.
And the resistance continues. The people of Minneapolis forced ICE to withdraw 700 “troops” of its occupying army.
“Survival is not an accident. It comes from resistance”- Leah Hollis
Charles Dumas is a lifelong political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party’s nominee for the U.S. Congress in 2012. He is a Lions Paw honoree. He lives in State College with his wife and partner of over 50 years.