YMCA of Youngstown Honored Black History During League Basketball Games
February 26, 2022 – The history of the YMCA similar to the history of the United States is a story of gradual progress toward greater equality and inclusion for us all. As we celebrate Black History Month, we remember and honor the Black leaders who helped move the Y and America forward on this journey, often in the face of many challenges.
The Central YMCA and it’s employees did just that Saturday during our league basketball games. The YMCA’s Sports & Rec Director, D’Aundray Brown invited the McDowells, a Y family of four, to speak during breaks in the league games about the importance of the month and prominent leaders that they had studied, such as Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Harriet Tubman, to name a few.
The Y’s CEO Tom Gacse stated, “The YMCA of Youngstown was blessed to have our basketball league youth and families hear these inspiring messages. We have always been committed to strengthening communities through youth development. One of the reasons it is so vital can be found in a quote from the famous African-American orator, abolitionist and statesman, Frederic Douglas, who said, ‘It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.’ ”
Black History Month has roots associated with the YMCA. Carter G. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History” met at the Wabash Avenue YMCA in Chicago in 1915 with a small group and formed the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). This began the foundation that would create Negro History and Literature Week, renamed Negro Achievement Week, later Negro History Week, and eventually Black History Month.
It is important to note that the focus of Black History month at the YMCA has been on black achievement since enslavement through exploring modern black history, as D’Aundray says, “we all need to work together to both educate our youth about black history and it’s meaning while also working towards a world of inclusion for all.”
To celebrate and honor this tradition the YMCA of Youngstown, with help from their sponsor T-Mobile, spent the month of February raising awareness of systemic racism and oppression of black people in the United States and around the globe. “We hope to create a culture in our community, with the Y, and within modern life to offer programs and services that will provide us a roadmap toward a more equal society.” says William “Guy” Burney, Executive Director of the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence for the City of Youngstown.
The YMCA of Youngstown continues it’s drive for a more inclusive environment not only in February but in all the months of the year. They invite all families in our community to come check out their extensive programs and services for youth and families, at both their Central Y location in downtown Youngstown, and their Davis Family Y location in Boardman.
For more information about the YMCA and it’s programs, please contact D’Aundray Brown, Sports and Rec Director, dbrown@youngstownymca.org, 330-744-8411 ext. 131.
Pictured Below: (Staff/Leaders) Kaigh’Den Harris, Kendrick Mickel, JaQwon Dow, Shawn Grant, Simone Comer, D’Aundrey Brown, De’Onte Brown, (League Participants/Speakers) Emily, Gabriella, Lucas, & Caleb McDowell
