FORT CARSON, Colo. — Bob Hall and Chelle Gifford perform a showcase of drum music from across the African continent during the Black History Month celebration held at the Elkhorn Conference Center Feb. 25, 2019. Hall and Gifford learned the music from drum masters across Africa and formed the Kusogea Nobi Drum Ensemble based in Denver. (Photo by Alexandra Shea)
By Alexandra Shea
U.S. Army Medical Department Activity-Fort Carson
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Evans Army Community Hospital (EACH) partnered with the 4th Infantry Division Equal Opportunity office to celebrate Black History Month at the Elkhorn Conference Center Feb. 25, 2019.
“The generations before us were problem solvers,” said Col. Eric S. Edwards, commander, EACH. “They dealt with segregation and discrimination. It’s our generation that is the bridge that keeps us moving forward.”
This year’s theme, “Black Migrations,” included discussion on more than 6 million African-Americans who fled the south in pursuit of economic opportunities in Northern states as industrial workers.
Between 1910 and 1920, Northern cities grew by large percentages during the migration. Cities such as Detroit grew by about 600 percent. These increases caused housing tensions and spurred African-Americans to create cities within cities, such as Harlem in New York. Harlem, once an all-white community in the 1920s, housed over 200,000 African-Americans and fostered the Harlem Renaissance. This renaissance was the beginning of the African-American creative arts movement, setting the direction that writers and artists would pursue into the 20th century.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Henry D. Allen Jr. speaks to attendees during the celebration of Black History Month at the Elkhorn Conference Center Feb. 25, 2019. Allen spoke about the lasting contributions that African-Americans have made throughout history. (Photo by Alexandra Shea)
Retired Army 1st Sgt. Henry D. Allen Jr. was the guest speaker for the event. Allen is the president of the Pikes Peak chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a group dedicated to promoting spiritual principles in its members and communities. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was elected as the first president of this group.
“After the military, I wanted to continue to serve my country and my community,” said Allen. “Civil rights were the way to do that, in my heart.”
Allen spoke about segregation and the “Black Code.” The code consisted of laws passed after the Civil War intended to restrict African-Americans’ freedoms by compelling them to work contracted labor jobs for little to no wages. Although slavery had officially ended, African-Americans often felt otherwise, due to the code, so they migrated in hopes of true freedom.
“During the great migration, African-Americans began to build a new place for themselves,” said Allen. “In public life, actively confronting racial prejudice as well as economic, political and social challenges, to create a black, urban culture that would serve as enormous influence in the decades to come.”
It was because of the black migration that African-Americans could finally achieve financial freedom to explore opportunities to become significant figures in history and provide direction for future generations of African-Americans, said Allen.
Those figures include Charles Drew, an American physician, surgeon and medical researcher, who
became best known as the inventor of the blood bank. Martin Delany, became the first African-American field officer in the U.S. Army. W.C. Handy, music composer, best known as “The Father of the Blues.” Lt. Gen. Nadja West, an adopted orphan who became the first black surgeon general of the U.S. Army, and first black female to hold the rank of lieutenant general and highest-ranked black female graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — 1st Sgt. Johnny L. Boose, Alpha Company, Warrior Transition Unit, looks through prominent African-American figures during the Black History Month celebration Feb. 25, 2019, held at the Elkhorn Conference Center. The celebration honored more than 6 million African Americans as they migrated from the south to Northern states in pursuit of economic opportunities. (Photo by Alexandra Shea)
The celebration included a showcase of music from across African tribes and cultures. The drum performance was provided by the Kusogea Nobi Drum Ensemble from Denver.
As the event concluded, attendees were able to view a wall depicting African-Americans throughout history including scientists, artists, sports figures, musicians, authors, political figures and astronauts.
“Remember, as Black History Month comes to a close, it does not end,” said Edwards.