Mayor Kenneth T. Welch Celebrates Black History Month with Raising of Woodson African American Museum Flag 

In celebration of Black History Month, the public is invited to join Mayor Kenneth T. Welch, City officials, and community leaders for a ceremonial raising of the Woodson African American Museum of Florida flag in front of St. Petersburg City Hall. All are welcome. 

 WHAT: Flag Raising for Black History Month 
WHEN: Wednesday, February 1, 2:00 p.m. 
WHERE: St. Petersburg City Hall, 175 5th St. N. 

“St. Petersburg is focused on achieving Inclusive Progress and Intentional Equity for all residents in every corner of our City,” said Mayor Ken Welch. “Our decisions are guided by principles that make St. Petersburg a City where all people can prosper. It is an honor for me to raise the Woodson flag for Black History Month as a reminder that we still have work to do.”

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, for whom the Woodson African American Museum of Florida is named, is known as the Father of Black History Month. Dr. Woodson proposed and launched the annual February observance of “Negro History Week,” which became “Black History Month” 50 years later. It is said that he chose February for the observance because February 12th was Abraham Lincoln’s birthday and February 14th was the accepted birthday of Frederick Douglass. 

Dr. Woodson was born in 1875 near New Canton, VA, as the son of former slaves. He eventually earned his BA degree from the University of Chicago and his PhD from Harvard University. Dr. Woodson was the founder of Associated Publishers, the founder and editor of the Negro History Bulletin, and the author of more than 30 books. His best known publication is The Mis-Education of the Negro, originally published in 1933 and still pertinent today.  

The tradition of raising the Woodson African American Museum at City Hill began in 2016. The Woodson is located at 2240 9th Avenue South in St. Petersburg. Visit www.woodsonmuseum.org for more information.