Celebrating Black History in Kentucky

Black History Month is a time to reflect on the history and contributions of African Americans to the nation. This year marks the 98th commemoration of Black History Month, which was started by scholar and educator Carter G. Woodson as Negro History Week in 1926. During Black History Month, AARP joined the celebration of Black artists by sharing how their work connects us, inspires us and motivates us to do better as a nation.

The 2024 Black History Month campaign theme, “Amplifying Artists of Every Age” featured both well-known national artists and musicians. Two Kentucky artists, Charles Williams and Tee Dee Young, were featured across social media and print media by the state office.

Tee Dee Young of Lexington embodies the blues and uses his music to bring people together. A Kentucky Music Hall of Fame inductee, he's one of Kentucky’s "Best Kept Secrets." The state office is proud to add one more spotlight on 50+ Black artists, like Mr. Young, who are helping their communities thrive.

Charles Williams is a longtime AARP Kentucky volunteer who now serves on the AARP Kentucky Executive Council. He is a painter and visual artist who studied painting at the internationally ranked Pratt Institute. AARP Kentucky is honored to celebrate Kentucky artists of every age (and volunteers) - especially Charles!

In addition, local AARP leaders, Deborah Turner and State Director Troy J. Broussard, were featured in The Louisville Defender Black Achievers – Black History Celebration Special Edition. Deborah is a long-time Louisville Community Team volunteer who received the state’s 2023 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service. She was the subject of a month-long on-air Black History tribute narrated by volunteer Rita Morrow on local Louisville radio WLOU-FM.

Dubbed Black History Month by President Gerald Ford in 1976, February is an important time to begin studying the contributions African Americans have made in Kentucky, the nation, and the world, but it shouldn’t end there. AARP encourages everyone to celebrate and commemorate Black History all year long. Read more: www.aarp.org/blackcommunity