City of Flint highlights local trailblazers to celebrate Black History Month

FLINT, Michigan — As part of the Mayor Sheldon Neeley’s celebration of Black History Month, the City of Flint will highlight our local history and the contributions made by African Americans to our community and country. 

In partnership with Sloan Museum, the City of Flint will feature on social media historic images of people and places that celebrate the city’s trailblazing African-American business owners, activists, and leaders. Mayor Sheldon Neeley also will honor several African American leaders over the next month as part of the citywide celebration of Black History Month.

“We are a community of champions. Over and over again, we have led the way for the nation. Today and everyday, we honor that history while also learning from it. We continue to carry forward those early Civil Rights victories to continue to push for true liberty and justice for all.”

The images from the Sloan Museum Archives were also used to create an exhibit that was installed in the City Hall dome and lobby last year as part of the City of Flint’s Black History celebrations. 

Among the highlights are images capturing the sleep-in that led to a first-of-its-kind fair housing ordinance in 1968 as well as the election of Floyd McCree as mayor in 1966, the first African-American to be elected mayor of a major American city since Reconstruction.

Because of Covid-19, the City of Flint’s celebrations are virtual. You can follow along on the city’s social media channels:

Facebook: facebook.com/CityofFlintMI

Instagram: instagram.com/cityof_flint/ 

Twitter: twitter.com/Cityof_Flint