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With a heavy heart and after much prayer and consideration, the Colorado County Black History Committee must announce the cancellation of the Colorado County Black History Banquet and Scholarship Fund. This decision weighs deeply on our souls, as we had envisioned this gathering as more than just an event: it was meant to be a sacred celebration of legacy, triumph, and the rich tapestry of African American contributions that have shaped our community and nation.
The group wants to thank every person that has donated (time or money), participated, bought tickets, supported, spoken, and performed in the past 2 years. We are truly grateful and appreciative to all of you.
The reality we face is one of diminished participation and waning enthusiasm throughout Colorado County. While this news brings disappointment, we believe in addressing our community honestly and transparently, even when the truth is difficult to bear.
The Vision We Carried When we first conceived the Colorado County Black History Banquet and Scholarship Fund, our hearts burned with purpose. We envisioned tables filled with families, elders sharing stories with younger generations, and a community united in honoring the shoulders upon which we stand. This event was designed to be a bridge: connecting past sacrifices with present opportunities, historical struggles with contemporary victories.
Our vision extended beyond a single evening of celebration. We saw this banquet as a catalyst for ongoing dialogue, education, and community building. We imagined local historians sharing untold stories, students presenting research projects, and community leaders discussing how the lessons of black history inform our path forward.
The banquet was intended to spotlight the often-overlooked contributions of African Americans in Colorado County specifically: the entrepreneurs who built businesses against overwhelming odds, the families who established roots in challenging soil, the leaders who fought for justice when justice seemed impossible.
A Call to Renewed Community Engagement
This moment calls us to examine how we can better support one another and create environments where community participation flourishes. It challenges us to consider what barriers might be preventing people from engaging with community events and how we can address those obstacles.
The group encourages every resident of Colorado County to reflect on their role in building the kind of community where celebrating our shared history feels natural and necessary. This is not about assigning blame but about taking collective responsibility for the health and vibrancy of our local connections.
Looking Toward Future Opportunities We invite anyone who shares our vision for celebrating Colorado County’s rich African American heritage to connect with us directly. Perhaps together we can develop alternative approaches that better meet our community where it currently stands while still honoring the important work of historical preservation and celebration.
The cancellation of one event does not cancel the commitment to the community. It simply redirects our efforts toward methods and timing that may prove more effective in our current season. The group remains hopeful that future opportunities will emerge when the community is ready to come together in celebration of our shared heritage.
May God bless all of you and hopefully we can bring back the Black History Banquet and Scholarship Fund in the future with more participation in the future.
