Celebrating Black History Month at the Y

Since its inception, the YMCA has been blessed with the outstanding leadership of African-Americans, and that continues to this day. In celebration of Black History Month, the YMCA of the USA put together a video highlighting just a few of the many contributions and achievements of African-Americans to the YMCA movement. Remember, Black History is our history!

In February, radio station 94.1 WHRP featured our own Daniel Kasambira, Executive Director of the Hogan Family YMCA in Madison, as a community leader during its Black History Month celebration. Said WHRP, "Prior to joining the Heart of the Valley YMCA in 2015, Mr. Kasambira was Director of the Alabama A&M Student Health and Wellness Center. He is community driven, and never meets a stranger. Daniel is an active member of the Huntsville Rotary Club, Community Action For Youth (CAFY) Steering Committee, and the Alabama Association of Non-Profits. We are truly fortunate to have him here in our community. Today we are so proud to recognize Daniel Kasambira as we celebrate Black History Month.'

The Heart of the Valley YMCA includes Black History Month in our Early Childhood Education curriculum, too. Children in three- and four-year-old classrooms learned about one of their favorite snacks - potato chips - and the inventor, New York chef George Crum at YMCA Southeast Early Childhood Education Center recently.

Want to learn more about Black History and the YMCA? Here is an excellent feature on the movement's African-American pioneers by the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.