LOUISVILLE, Ky. — February first marks the start of Black History Month. As the state begins to recognize and celebrate Black Americans and their legacies, Kentucky state officials and members of the Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky gathered at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville.

Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, a former history teacher, spoke about the need to teach the full history of events in Kentucky schools — the good and bad. 

 “We must amplify the voices and history of our people in order to have an equal and just society,” Coleman said.  

Noting Kentucky school systems are teaching the next generation of our workforce and leaders, Coleman noted the impact education can have on an individual and their families. “It’s the one thing that provides the opportunity for transformational change that can create new cycles of success and change the trajectory of a person’s life,” Coleman said. 

The Executive Director of the Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky Chaka Cummings discussed a new initiative which will help educators teach local Black history. 

“Our mission is to elevate, lift up, give voice, highlight the stories and experiences of Black Kentuckians.” 

The association has set up an advisory team in an effort to increase collaboration with educators and curate resources to assist them. Their mission also includes creating programs to improve professional development for educators and to celebrate Black history education across the state. 

“Get with teachers and really talk to them about their needs, talk to teacher associations about their needs, because they’re the ones with boots on the ground,” Cummings said. 

The Association for Teaching Black History in Kentucky has partnered with the Muhammad Ali Center, Berea College, Kentucky State University and the Thomas D. Clark Foundation. The association is housed at Berea College.