Paducah, KY–
As Black History Month gains more visibility, Paducah sees more events added to their calendar this year and doesn’t let potential anti-legislation stop them from happening.
The recent discussion of anti-DEI legislation has raised a lot of questions within the community, especially for those in roles who are leading the way for future generations.
Paducah-McCracken County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Youth Director and founding member of Paducah Diversity Advocacy Board (PDAB) Amina Watkins finds that these conversations have seen more conversation because of the ubiquity of racial injustices.
“A catalyst for me was the change in time where you’re able to see everything right in front of your face,” Watkins said. “Everything is recorded. You can no longer deny or pretend like it’s not happening.”
There is a level of ignorance that people are starting to work past, Watkins said. Now that stories are being shared, people are becoming interested in knowing the stories behind black history and their significance.
“There’s this hot topic of racial discrimination and a really bad justice system,” Watkins said. “People are now feeling more comfortable talking about these issues because there’s no denying it. You see it on social media. That has empowered people to share more. It also empowered people to listen more.”
This increasing rate of interest in gaining knowledge of black history and its significance has driven more organizations to host events; so many that Watkins finds herself attending more events in February than any other month of the year.
“You have this vested interest in an entire community to do more for Black History,” Watkins said. “So now you have almost every organization in Paducah trying to fill in a month of 29 days – that’s a lot.”
Watkins sees these celebrations extending past a month’s time.
“I foresee that the same invested interest in a month is going to go throughout the entire year,” Watkins said.
With a focus on youth, Watkins wants to instill a drive of passion to eventually lead celebrations throughout the year. The anti-DEI legislation threatens this potential change in culture.
“The things that we’re doing right now… may not happen after this passes,” Watkins said. “There are people who are interested in keeping Black History Month as only a month. They don’t want people to see it as American history because they’re afraid of something that doesn’t even exist. I think we’re always going to fight that battle.”
The NAACP hosted a youth sign up and meet and greet. The younger generation were given the opportunity to converse and get to know the generation before them, while learning more about what the NAACP does and how they help the community.
“The youth were able to see the NAACP adult members that are active in the community,” Watkins said. “They then had the opportunity to work alongside them and have the support if they ever needed it.”
Watkins understands that youth can sometimes feel unheard in the community. She used this event to show them their voices matter and play a role.
Paducah was host to many different Black History Month celebrations, including Paducah Tilghman High School’s African American Leadership Club’s (AALC) showcase and dinner celebration.
“There are so many parts of Paducah African American History to celebrate,” Paducah Public School’s Chief Equity Officer Shonda Hollowell said. “This is evident in the activities that have taken place all month long that provided an opportunity for families and individuals of all ages and races to celebrate the rich traditions of African American History and huge relevance that history has played in American History.”
Hollowell also organizes and leads the AALC’s activities and projects. Her main focus is always on students, working to highlight their individual talents and passions.
“We have pivoted from the massive nights of performances in the past and focused solely on the PTHS student performers as we honor pinnacle places that are rich in Paducah African American History,” Hollowell said.
Members of the AALC commit their time outside of school to practice for the showcase.
“Because Black History is American History, the African American Leadership Club (AALC) celebrates the culture and traditions of African Americans all year long during their club meetings,” Hollowell said. “The students made the commitment and rehearsed on their day off of school to prepare for this amazing event.”
Chef Jessi Fletcher, West Kentucky Community and Technical College’s (WKCTC) director of dining and catering, said this year’s Black History Month specials at Kitchens Cafe have generated the most interest.
Four years ago, Fletcher was approached by an employee with an idea.
“A few years ago one of our employees in Student Services reached out to me and they were planning activities for Black History Month,” Fletcher said. “They asked if we could coordinate any of our specials to fit with that. She was happy for me to do that in any capacity.”
This request drove Fletcher to dive into her own research of black chefs, not only for the event, but to expand her own knowledge of black cuisine.
“My intention each year is to research and look out for black chefs, learn about them and then share that knowledge with our student population, our faculty and staff and of course the community as well,” Fletcher said.
The response to the specials each week has been overwhelmingly positive with more engagement from customers.
“Everybody has been intrigued,” Fletcher said. “I had a customer of mine start messaging me early January. He said, ‘What are you doing for Black History Month? I can’t wait. Can you give me any sneak peeks?’ Overwhelmingly we have a good response.”
Fletcher considers the history behind each chef and dish, as well as her skill level and ability to achieve what the featured chef may want to represent.
“Being part of the school and serving our students, we try to keep our price point as affordable as possible,” Fletcher said.”This year I found a chef I was considering. She was really neat, but she has a Michelin star, and that type of food is a little bit out of our price range and might be past my skill level as well. I consider what they do and want to make sure I’m doing it the truest way that I can. I don’t want to take something they created and remake it. I try to find chefs that I can fit into the way we serve food and the price point that we are in as well.”
WKCTC promoted many Black History events taking place on campus. Poet Laureate Frank X Walker was the first featured occasion.
“It was very intriguing,” Octavia Lawrence, vice president of student services at WKCTC, said. “It was something that allowed us to tell the story that was really untold about Kentucky.”
For Lawrence, it was critical to involve and reach both younger and older generations. Her commitment and dedication to these events each year allows her to see the audience grow.
“I think part of involving both generations is certainly making sure that we are involving students, which is why we chose to have the student presentation,” Lawrence said. “We are partnering a lot with Paducah City Schools, and allowing them to host their African American celebration on campus.”
Lawrence and Hollowell worked together to produce the AALC’s celebration on WKCTC’s campus. Hollowell coordinated the event and Lawrence provided the venue.
“I think these months are wonderful and we know that,” Lawrence said. “Black History Month is every February and we know Women’s History Month is every March. We’re using those months so they are more infused and incorporated throughout the year.”
Lawrence shares the same idea as Watkins: Black History will become a year-long celebration, not just a month’s worth of events.
To donate to the organizations:
AALC – Funds go towards scholarships for students as well as college field trips to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Donations are graciously accepted and should be payable to PTHS-AALC. Attn: Shonda Hollowell, 500 South 25th Street, Paducah, KY 42003
NAACP – Financial support and sponsorship of events and activities. Contact the NAACP for donations and sponsorships at www.paducahnaacp.com.
