Celebration Of Black History Month Returns In Mystic

MYSTIC, CT — The Fifth Annual Mystic Celebration of Black History Month will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, bringing together residents, students, and community leaders for a morning of reflection, inspiration, and unity.

Hosted by the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Mystic & Noank Library and Booker Empowerment, LLC, the event begins at 10 a.m. at the Mystic flagpole.

Vocalist Melanie Sedowsky will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black National Anthem, before participants march together to Union Baptist Church in a show of unity and remembrance.

“This event reflects our shared commitment to honoring Black history while strengthening community connections today,” Bruce Flax, president of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. He noted that this year’s program will center youth voices.

The program at Union Baptist Church will be co-hosted by Mitchell College student Inonda C. Peterson and entrepreneur and community advocate Deion D. Kelly.

Featured speakers and performers include Kelly; Peterson, author of “Till Death Do Us Part”; drummer Leonard Epps; the Blooming Into Greatness Children’s Dance Group; artist Marvin Espy; Christian hip hop artist Moe Steele; spoken word artist and vocalist Kaitlyn Lubega; and Ellis Wray, Black History Month Poet of the Year for grades 3–6.

Students from More Than Words — a coalition of leaders from Fitch High School, Ledyard High School, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and New London High School Multi-Magnet Campus — will also read original poems.

The free event is open to the public. A community lunch featuring food from 809 Café will follow in the church basement. Parking is available at 119 High St., Mystic.

More information is available by clicking here.