Black History Month Lecture at Zane State

Lessons of the past played a big role in a lecture on black history at Zane State College Monday morning.

Dr Francine Childs, who is a retired professor of African American studies at Ohio University in Athens, addressed a small crowd about the struggles of the past.

“I think it’s very important because I think we need to know, if we don’t know where we came from, we’ll never know where we’re going,” Dr. Childs said. “I think it’s so important that people understand that the United States of America was enriched as a result of the contributions of African Americans.”

Also speaking was Ada Woodson Adams who is the President of the Multicultural Genealogical Center in Chesterhill. She said passing on the message of the past is vital as it shapes who we are today.

“I’m hoping that our words today will inspire the youth to seek out history, not limit themselves to what is taught, but to seek out the history beyond what the classroom can offer,” Adams said.