Swampscott Black History Event To Include Poetry, Reflection

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott will host a virtual night of poetry and reflection to celebrate the history of Black contributions to the town on Feb. 28.

The public is invited to attend the virtual "Black History is Our History" event featuring award-winning Swampscott poet Enzo Surin and other community members.

Residents can watch the event here starting at 7 p.m.

Enzo recently won the 21st Annual Massachusetts Book Awards' Poetry Award for his book "When My Body Was A Clinched Fist" about the poverty and violence experienced in growing up in New York in the 1990s.

Swampscott Unites, Respects, Embraces Diversity is sponsoring the evening.

Formed in 2016, S.U.R.E. Diversity is a voluntary community group that aspires to encourage, educate and collaborate in building a welcoming, nurturing, respectful and inclusive Swampscott community.

Swampscott residents are also invited to sign the town's 2022 Black History Month proclamation
approved at this month's Select Board meeting.

A link is available here to sign the proclamation electronically. Residents can also sign on by emailing Assistant Town Administrator Allie Fiske at afiske@swampscottma.gov.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)