SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – An event was being held at the the Bay Area Neighborhood Council in Springfield Tuesday to celebrate Black History Month and educate youth on the importance of representation.

Held by the Black Springfield COVID-19 coalition, along with the Urban League of Springfield and Men of Color Health Alliance, the goal was to highlight Black community leaders and history in a fun, educational way.

“It has been a very taxing couple of years with the pandemic isolating all of us. Chaos and pandemonium have infiltrated our lives uninvited. Amongst the most susceptible, are our young people” states Williams. “They have been affected academically with virtual and hybrid learning, the cancellation of athletic programs and activities, the lack of traditional social interaction, the prevalent racial injustices happening every day, and the outrageous gun violence that plagues our schools and our streets to name a few. It is important that we let them know that we support them, we see them, we hear them, and we recognize their value and their expressions as intricate members of our community. Their lives matter, they matter…they are our future.”  

The event was free and open to the public on Tuesday. A COVID-19 clinic was also available on-site for anyone six months and older.