The members of the Winchester Black History and Heritage Committee would like to express their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to The Winchester Sun for its superb coverage of the Black History Month celebration events. Mere words are truly inadequate to express our admiration for the excellent coverage and photographs published on behalf of this organization.

The newspaper has been such an integral part of this celebration that at times it was as if the employees were walking shoulder to shoulder with us as we planned our events.

What a privilege it was to read the whole month of February William Webb Banks’ articles entitled “History of the Clark County Negro.” The daily series detailed the rich life, history and culture of the Negro in Winchester during 1919-1920.

Then an added bonus was to witness almost a century later, Feb. 22, 2018, Martha Miller being sworn in as the first African-American circuit clerk in the state of Kentucky.

Oh, how rich is our history that few can deny the centrality of the Negro in the making of American History.

We also express sincere gratitude to Whitney Leggett and Fred Petke for their excellence in the field of journalism.

The “Honoring Those Who Served” banquet was such a success thanks to our Corporate Sponsors: Central Bank & Trust Company, Community Trust Bank, Kentucky Bank, Park Community Credit Union, Gate Bluegrass Precast, Inc., Golden Corral Buffet & Grill, Kroger, Kentucky Logistic Services, and UAW Local #1608. Friends sponsor: Greater St. James CME Church, William &and Deatra Newell, and John Cedric Tate, Jr.

Program Participants: Sgt. Maj. (Retired) Dana E. Bowie, Emmett Burnam, Minister William Newell, Chelsey Colley, a 16-year-old poet who writes “The Spoken Word” that can be found on her YouTube page; Francine Hardin and Velma Thompson.

Partner Sponsors: Bluegrass Heritage Museum, Brett Cheuvront, Clark County Public Library, Estella Bruton, GRC boys basketball team, GRC JROTC: Joshua Hampton-Garrard, Erica Ray, Autumn Robinson, Brandon Robinson; Harry Enoch, Joe Chenault, Campbell Junior High School Black Achievers, Sandy Stults, UPS Store, Ms. T’s Soul Food Catering, Prototype and The Winchester Sun.

And many thanks to those who bought tickets to distribute to our men and women in uniform.

Committee members: Margaret Beatty, Anne Berry, Emma Bruton, Jane Burnam, Connie Curry, Carolyn Hampton, Jacquetta Hudson, Anna Mason, Corey Miller, Valencia Morris, Joyce Morton, Elton Parish, education liaison; Linda Rector, James Robinson and Brenda Smith

Joyce Morton

WBHHC president

Winchester