City of Salisbury partners with Fenix Youth Project for Black History Month

Salisbury, MD – The city of Salisbury has partnered with the Fenix youth project to bring light to Black History and provide an opportunity for youth to share what this means to them.

Amber Green, Executive Director of the Fenix Youth Project shared more on this partnership with 47 ABC on Monday. We’re told this is a youth-led initiative, which will uncover some black history that has been lost, or not as highly discussed.

It is also an opportunity for education. Green says when students were asked who is on the Salisbury black history mural on Church Street, many students had no answer.

Also, students have learned that today’s Salisbury Middle School was actually once an all-black high school called Salisbury High School.

But overall, Green says this is a way to embrace the culture and make a difference.

“It’s really unfortunate that we’re only limited to these 28 days to where black history is celebrated on such a large scale,” said Green. “Black history is really American history. It should be celebrated 3 hundred and 65 days of the year, but the fact that this was gifted to us, it’s really important that we take the opportunity to not just learn history, but also be a part of history.”

Amber Green says this project reflects a quote from Dr. Clara Small who says we must reclaim our history so that we do not repeat past mistakes.

She continues to say this project gives a voice to those who are marginalized and gives the youth an opportunity to share their experiences, while reflecting on their history.

Green says this is one of the first steps between the Fenix Youth Project, City of Salisbury, and the Lynching Memorial Task Force to create a scholarship opportunity for the community’s youth. We’re told information on that scholarship will be announced in the coming weeks.

To see student’s testimonials on black history and their conversations click here.