Swampscott To Host Series Of Black History Month Events

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott will host a series of Black History Month events and observances throughout February —culminating with a "Black History is Our History" program of poetry, music and reflection at First Church on Monument Avenue on Feb. 27.

The Swampscott Select Board on Wednesday adopted a Black History Month recognition proclamation.

The Swampscott fire apparatus will display quotes from famous and influential Black Americans all month long.

The Swampscott Public Library will run a month-long challenge in-person and online that focuses on Black books, art, film, food, music and excellence. Those who complete the challenge will be entered into a raffle for prizes.

The Senior Center quilting center is working with the high school to create a quilt featuring Black art, pictures and poems that will then be on display at various offices throughout the town.

The Swampscott Recreation Department will make available in town hall each Wednesday a "Parent & Me" activity kit that promotes inclusivity and understanding.

Swampscott Unites, Respects and Embraces — S.U.R.E. — will host "Black History is Our History: A Vital Part of American Life Culture" at 7 p.m. on Feb. 27 at the First Church. This will be the second annual event with this year's program the first in-person edition (though it is set to be streamed on Facebook Live) after the inaugural program was fully virtual last year.

S.U.R.E. will have a panel on reflections on how Black history affects all of us, including Rabbi Michael Ragozin of Congregation Shirat Hayam, Rev. Jim Bixby of Clifton Lutheran Church, Minister Ian Holland of First Church Congregational, Heidi Whear, Swampscott Senior Center Director, and Tristan Smith, recent legislative candidate and head coach of track
and field at St. Mary's High School of Lynn.

The program includes music from the Swampscott High School Chorus, a history discussion from Nancy Schultz of the Swampscott Historical Commission and poetry from Enzo Silon Surin.

The Lynn Museum will have an information table and the Swampscott High School chorus will kick off the event with a performance.

(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.)