FRANKFORT, Ky. — Members of the Kentucky black legislative caucus honored black history in Frankfort. The caucus spoke to a packed audience in the state capitol rotunda. 

Several lawmakers, justices, and the governor were also in attendance. This year’s theme was Black history is American history. 

Gov. Andy Beshear (D) also spoke about the importance of today’s celebration. He told the crowd, “It is impossible for me to imagine the horror, scars, and distrust that moments in our history have created. A history that we must look back on because we should never turn away from even the most painful moments of our past. Instead, we should learn about them and learn from them so that we absolutely never repeat them.”

The caucus also highlighted the life of Brigadier General Charles Young. 

Young was born into slavery in 1864 but followed in his father’s footsteps and later joined the army. Young was the third African American to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.