The St. Petersburg Branch of ASALH received its charter

ATLANTA – Last month at the National Centennial Conference in Atlanta, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) granted the St. Petersburg Branch of ASALH its official charter. Before traveling to Georgia, Mayor Rick Kriseman and the City of St. Petersburg presented the branch with a congratulatory proclamation.

Several members of the branch traveled to Atlanta to attend the conference and the charter ceremony. These included President Jacqueline Hubbard, Vice-President Irene Pridgen, Cols Ashby and Ronalda Hobson, Dr. Julie Armstrong, who was also a presenter, and Jennifer Gamble. Also in attendance was the President of the Tampa Bay Branch, Tyna Middleton and President of the Manasota Branch, Mark Jackson.

The national ASALH conference had 1,300 attendees from all over the United States and was held from Sept. 23 through Sept. 27. There were presentations or seminars every hour and 50 minutes every day, beginning at 8:30 a.m. until late in the evening.

There were special luncheons each day with notable speakers such as Lonnie Bunch, who was the keynote speaker; LaVar Burton, Susan Taylor, Dr. David Levering-Lewis, the Honorable John Lewis, Sonia Sanchez and Rev. C.T. Vivian.

Black films were shown continually each day. Most events were free with registration. The Honorary Co-Chairs were Susan L. Taylor and Harry Belafonte. Every aspect of African-American history and life was represented, including academics, history, art, music, politics, writing, poetry, science, photography, philosophy, dance, hip-hop and folklore.

ASALH was founded in 1915 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the second African American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University. ASALH is rooted in teaching the world about the contributions of members of the African Diaspora.

As a collective force, ASALH inspires members to make a positive impact in their communities. Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune of Bethune Cookman College was one of many esteemed presidents. The current president is Dr. Daryl Michael Scott of Howard University and the incoming president is Dr. Evelyn Brooks Higgenbotham of Harvard University and widow of the late Federal Judge Leon Higgenbotham.

ASALH publishes “The Journal of African American History” every quarter.