February is Black History Month

In the spirit of Black History Month, I would like to offer this invitation. I need an idea(s) to properly cover this subject. In my research, I have not come across any great stories that might champion Black History Month. I do want to do something. Sure there have been events, but I am not sure exactly what might fit the bill to properly give homage to the Month. In the meantime I have attached an article from the LAFD. Be sure to check out a past post I had on Firsts in Roanoke, including the first Black Firefighter in the Roanoke Fire Department.

So let us here from you all. All I need is a lead, I will do the research.

Bringing diversity to LAFD force:

Bringing diversity to LAFD force

Copyright 2006 Los Angeles Times
All Rights Reserved

A Los Angeles police and fire department recruitment event aims to interest more minorities and women in joining their ranks.

By DANIEL HERNANDEZ
Los Angeles Times (California)

Alphonso Russ, 24, is so gung-ho about becoming a Los Angeles firefighter that he showed up Sunday at the police and fire departments’ Black History Month Recruitment Exposition and Family Carnival to take yet another recruitment exam, just for practice.

Not only that, but it was the Police Department’s test he took — not the Fire Department’s — “just to see the variances,” he said.

After the test at the Rancho Cienega Sports Center near Baldwin Village, LAPD recruiters were chatting with Russ anyway about opportunities in their department.

Fifty years ago, Russ would have had a different experience if seeking a firefighting career in Los Angeles.

Before 1955, African American firefighters in L.A. served in segregated firehouses, an experience shared by black firefighters in cities across the country for much of the early 20th century. The Los Angeles Stentorians, an organization of black firefighters, was formed in that era to address discrimination.

“With that great history, how can you not be a part of it?” said Russ, a native of South Los Angeles whose parents migrated here from Mississippi.

Rides, booths and police vehicles were spread across a playing field where curious families posed for pictures with a bomb squad robot.

The weekend expo was meant to draw African Americans interested in careers in public safety and law enforcement. (More Here)