Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Jr. hosted his 2024 Black History Month Celebration at The Bronx Zoo’s Schiff Hall on Feb. 15. Conducted annually to highlight Black voices, history and contributions to the Bronx, this year’s event honored Norma Saunders, NYCHA Bronx River Houses Tenant Association president; Kathy Johnson-Morris, Community Board 3 board member and NYPD ambassador; and youth community members Kristina Alisia Brown and Michael Bogle, Jr.
The event was co-sponsored by state Sen. Luis Sepùlveda, state Assemblymembers John Zaccaro, Jr., Kenny Burgos, Amanda Septimo, Karines Reyes, George Alvarez and Chantel Jackson, and community leader Freddy Perez, Jr.
The celebrations began with an opening prayer conducted by Pastor Frederick Crawford of Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, followed by performances of the U.S. National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – referred to as the Black National Anthem – by Renaissance Youth Center.
A popular gathering for the Bronx community, this year’s event saw maximum capacity reached two weeks before the event date. Following the program, which included speeches by Salamanca, Zaccaro and Alvarez, all four honorees were celebrated, and music and dancing ensued.
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