Black History Month in Monrovia

By Susie Ling

Monrovia’s African American community dates back to 1886 – before the City’s incorporation. It is fitting that the Monrovia Historical Museum and the Monrovia-Duarte Black Alumni Association have big plans to commemorate Black History Month this February.

Ralph Walker of KGEM TV station said, “Our star is Hope Demetriades and her art featuring American abolitionists.” Visitors can speak to this local artist on Feb 8 and Feb 15 from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Museum. She will also be one of the main speakers at the Alumni Association luncheon on the Sunday following on Feb 22nd at the Monrovia Community Center.

The curator of the Museum, Mark Still, added, “We will also feature the crafts of Art Aids Art, an Altadena community group that brings attention to the issue of AIDS in South Africa.” Still, a retired history professor said, “History helps us understand our problems today. For example, we study the tactics and determination of abolitionists from a century ago to help understand with our struggles for social justice today. Art Aids Art reminds us that all human lives matter.”

The Alumni Association intends to focus on the school children of Monrovia. This year, volunteers will go into each elementary classroom and read. “We want to introduce other African American stalwarts including scientists, artists, as well as leaders of civil rights,” said Joannie Yuille of the Black Alumni Association. This takes a lot of cooperation with the Monrovia Unified School District especially as the New Buffalo Soldiers will be galloping into the high school.

At their January 27th meeting, Los Angeles Board of Supervisors formally commended the Monrovia Historical Museum, Ralph Walker, Mark Still and others for their previous program on Lt. Colonel Allen Allensworth. This commendation seems to only encourage Monrovians to do more.

Image (above): “Frederick Douglass” from the North Star: Canonizing the American Abolitionists, by Hope Demetriades