ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – February means it's the heart of winter in New Mexico, and it's also a time for celebrating the culture and history of African-Americans.
Cathryn McGill, founder of the New Mexico Black History Organizing Committee, says her organization is holding several events in the Albuquerque area as part of Black History Month.
The first event is the Arts and Culture Weekend, which runs Wednesday through Sunday and includes performances of the musical “The Wiz” at the African-American Performing Arts Center.
McGill stresses Black History Month is for all Americans.
"Getting people to understand that we need to inspire each other to greater achievements and to promote multiculturalism," she explains.
New Mexico Black History also is holding the Rhythms and Cuisine Weekend Feb. 14 to the 16, and the Mind, Body and Soul Weekend Feb. 22 and 23.
McGill says New Mexico's African-American community is small in number and often marginalized and left out of the political dialogue.
She says Black History Month is an opportunity for African-Americans to unite and work on building a stronger public voice.
"The onus is on the African-American community to say, 'Hey, wait a minute,’” she says. “’We're here. Let's figure out how we might include everyone,' and when we do that we're better together."
McGill adds the origins of Black History Month date back to the 1920s and are linked to celebrating the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln during February.
