RI ​General Assembly Will Celebrate Black History Month this Week at the State House

 The seventh annual Joint Legislative Black History Month Celebration will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. in the House Chamber of the State House.

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This year’s program will begin at the rise of both the House and the Senate.  Jametta O. Alston and Misty G. Delgado will serve as keynote speakers at the event.  Ms. Alston is a former Rhode Island State Child Advocate as well as a former president of the RI Bar Association.  Her career experience as an attorney, solicitor, and Child Advocate has focused on championing civil rights and liberties.  Ms. Delgado is a Principle and the Managing Partner at Kilroy Delgado Law Group.  Ms. Delgado’s passion for helping under-represented individuals stems from her own experiences as a ward of the state for 19 years.

Rep. Anastasia P. Williams (D-Dist. 9, Providence), chairwoman of the Rhode Island Legislative Black & Latino Caucus, will offer welcoming remarks and introductions of the keynote speakers.  Also speaking at the celebration will be Speaker of the House Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston), President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown), Sen. Harold M. Metts (D-Dist. 6, Providence),  Rep. Marvin L. Abney (D-Dist. 73, Newport, Middletown), and Sen. Juan M. Pichardo (D-Dist. 2, Providence).

The program will also include musical performances by Jackie Collins singing the National Anthem and Cheryl Albright offering a separate musical selection during the event.

Black History Month is a celebration of African-American people and events, and has been celebrated annually in February in the United States since 1976.

​The event will be televised by Capitol Television, which can be seen on Cox on Channel 15 or in high definition on Channel 1013, and on Channel 34 by Verizon and Full Channel subscribers. They will also be streamed at www.rilin.state.ri.us/CapTV.