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Courtesy of David Combs
Black Citizens and Friends Board Chair (and Co-Founder) David Combs
MCKENZIE LANGE
Old photos of the Dickie, Butler and Hines families, who were instrumental in the founding of The Handy Chapel, were on display at the Black History Month Art Exhibit at the Avalon Theater Feb. 20, 2022. These photos have been passed down through generations, some dating back to 1921, but many could be older.
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With Black History Month underway, locals have several opportunities in the coming weeks to learn the often-unheard history of African Americans and their contributions to this country.
The events will be held by Black Citizens and Friends, a community organization founded over 40 years ago; its board chair, David Combs, said the activities focus on a different theme each year.
“This year’s theme for Black History Month, African Americans and Labor, spotlights the historical and current contributions that Black Americans have made for this county’s establishment as a world power,” Combs said.
“The workforce and ingenuity that African Americans provided was key to America’s greatness, and that is still a factor today,” he added.
The educational celebration is already underway, with a pop-up art show in The Art Center of Western Colorado Bookstore (1803 N. 7th St.) debuting last Monday.
According to a Black Citizens and Friends Spokesperson, the gallery will feature two-dimensional art inspired by Black history.
The gallery will continue through the end of the month (Feb. 28), with the building open Tuesday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to The Art Center is typically $5, but there is no charge to members, children under 12 and anyone visiting on Tuesdays.
MCKENZIE LANGE
Old photos of the Dickie, Butler and Hines families, who were instrumental in the founding of The Handy Chapel, were on display at the Black History Month Art Exhibit at the Avalon Theater Feb. 20, 2022. These photos have been passed down through generations, some dating back to 1921, but many could be older.
The first upcoming event is a “Sip & Paint” this Sunday, between 4 and 6 p.m., at Gemini Beer Company (310 N. 7th St.).
The guided activity will help attendees illustrate one of three subjects representing Black labor in history: Thurgood Marshall (the first Black Supreme Court Justice), Pullman Porters (the first Black union in the U.S.) and Black cowboys.
“(We chose cowboys) because of what they did out West in terms of labor,” Combs said. “People aren’t aware that the term cowboys was somewhat derogative in that it was Black men who came out West, ranched and roped. They didn’t own the ranches, but they were the individuals who took care of cattle. Because Black men were termed boys, the slang term was cowboys.”
The following weekend, Feb. 15, will feature a movie night at the Avalon Theatre (645 Main St.). Starting at 7 p.m., attendees will view a screening of the film, Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot.
The inspired-by-a-real-story film follows a reverend and his wife in 1990s East Texas, who inspire 22 families to adopt 77 children from the foster care system.
Movie night attendees can also arrive early to view a curation of books, art and other media relevant to Black History Month and this year’s theme.
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, the Grand Junction City Council will commence their usual meeting (at 5:30 p.m.) with a Black History Month Proclamation Reading.
Locals can also look forward to learning about the jazz icon Louis Armstrong through one of two Chautauqua performances on Feb. 21 and 22. Chautauqua performances are theatrical shows that splice history and education with entertainment.
The Louis Armstrong Chautauqua performances, featuring Marvin Jefferson, are both free to attend. The first show will be on Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. in The Art Center, and the second show, on Feb. 22, starts at 1 p.m. that Friday in the Mesa County Central Library (443 N. 6th St.).
“I don’t think people understand the labor that musicians put forth … to reach the epicenter of their art,” Combs said. “They think they can blow a horn or get out there and sing, and that’s it.”
“Then, you look back at Louis Armstrong and what he had to put up with, in terms of when he performed as a child and into adulthood: most of his success was (not until) he went to Europe,” he added.
To reserve your spot at the library show, visit the event calendar at mesacountylibraries.org, or call 970-243-4442.
To RSVP for The Art Center show, visit canvas.gjartcenter.org/events/167.
Courtesy of David Combs
Black Citizens and Friends Board Chair (and Co-Founder) David Combs
The final event of the month — starting at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 – is a reading at Lithic Bookstore and Gallery in Fruita (138 S. Park Square). Attendees can present their writings and listen to others, with an essay contest winner announced at the end.
Combs added that engaging with Black History Month is especially critical this year, so Black Citizens and Friends tried to arrange enough events for everyone to attend at least one.
“We don’t want to politicize anything, but with the executive orders that have come to pass since the inauguration, some people thought we were canceling our Black History Month celebration,” Combs said. “We said no. As a matter of fact, we really need to push it out because the bigger picture is this: Black history is everyone’s history.”
“We’re all a part of the history of this nation, and we just happen to be Black, and some of our historic stories have not been shared,” he added. “So, (we are) sharing our history with our community and hoping that our community will go out and share it also.”
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