Welcome
ItiswithgreathonorandjoythatIwelcomeyoutothe2025Cityof LaurelBlackHistoryMonthCelebration—atimetoreflect,celebrate, andembracetherichlegacyofAfricanAmericanhistoryandculture.
Thisyear,wegatherunderthetheme"AfricanAmericansandLabor: TheArtofLiberation" recognizingthepowerofcreativity,resilience, andexpressionintheongoingjourneytowardfreedomandequality. Fromthespokenwordtothecanvas,fromtherhythmsofmusicto themovementsofchange,Blackartistryhaslongbeenaforceof resistance,aguidinglight,andacatalystforprogress.
TheCityofLaurelisproudtohonorthevoices,stories,and contributionsthatshapeourdiverseandthrivingcommunity.By celebratingourpastandupliftingtheachievementsoftoday,we continuetobuildafuturewherejustice,opportunity,andunity flourish.
AspecialthankyoutoCouncilPresidentKylaClarkforherleadership anddedicationinplanningthismeaningfulevent.Hercommitment tocelebratingandamplifyingBlackhistoryinLaurelensuresthatwe continuetohonorthepastwhileinspiringfuturegenerations.
Thankyouforbeingpartofthiscelebration.Together,letushonorthe past,celebratethepresent,andcreateafuturewhereliberationis notjustamomentinhistory,butamasterpieceinthemaking.
Sincerely,
KeithR.Sydnor
Mayor Keith R. Sydnor
Lift Every Voice and Sing
ByJamesWeldonJohnson
Lifteveryvoiceandsing, Tillearthandheavenring, RingwiththeharmoniesofLiberty, Letourrejoicingrise Highasthelist’ningskies, Letitresoundloudastherollingsea Singasongfullofthefaiththatthedarkpast hastaughtus
Singasongfullofthehopethatthepresenthas broughtus Facingtherisingsunofournewdaybegun, Letusmarchontillvictoryiswon.
Stonytheroadwetrod Bitterthechast’ningrod, Feltinthedayswhenhopeunbornhaddied; Yetwithasteadybeat Havenotourwearyfeet Cometotheplaceforwhichourfatherssighed? Wehavecomeoverawaythatwithtearshas beenwatered Wehavecome,treadingourpaththro’the bloodoftheslaughtered, Outfromthegloomypast,tillnowwestandat last
Wherethewhitegleamofourbrightstariscast.
Godofourwearyyears, Godofoursilenttears, Thouwhohastbroughtusthusfarontheway; ThouwhohastbyThymight, Ledusintothelight,Keepusforeverinthepath, wepray.
Lestourfeetstrayfromtheplaces,ourGod, wherewemeetThee, Lestourhearts,drunkwiththewineoftheworld weforgetThee; ShadowedbeneathThyhand,mayweforever stand, TruetoourGod,truetoournativeland.
Program
Welcome
CouncilPresidentKylaClark,Ward2 CityofLaurel,Maryland
Emcee
SataDiop, DEIBSeniorConsultant&Founderof InclusionX
“LiftEveryVoiceandSing”
LaurelHighSchoolChorus LedbyKevinLewis,ChoirDirector
OpeningRemarks
MayorKeithR.Sydnor CityofLaurel,Maryland
Poem
“Dreaming” KayKiara“TheStoryteller”
“ItTakesaVillagetoRaiseaChild”
JoanneAwuorOport,AFMH FeaturedSpeaker
Performance
LaurelHighSchoolChorus LedbyKevinLewis,ChoirDirector
SataDiop,Emcee FirstGenerationCollegeBound Bernadette’sHouse WinningInSports&Education(WISE) GivingBack
ThankYou
CouncilPresidentKylaClark,Ward2 CityofLaurel,Maryland
MEET THE OUR TALENTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Sata Diop, Emcee
Sata Diop is the CEO & Founder of InclusionX (IX). Sata is a visionary leader with a career history of successfully championing DE&I strategies and programs aligned with key people initiatives. She has a track record of utilizing a holistic approach to DE&I to drive positive change and enhance employee experiences. Sata@inclusionx.one
Sata received a BA in African American Studies and Gender/Woman Studies from the University of California, Berkley. She holds an MBA from the Grand Canyon University in Strategic Human Resources Management and is also the recipient of the University of South Florida’s Certificate in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace
Meet
Joanne Awuor Oport, Featured Speaker
Joanne Awuor Oport is the Founder and CEO of Africans for Mental Health (AFMH) and a dedicated advocate for mental health and community development. She serves on the Maryland Governor’s Commission on African Affairs, chairs the Job Resource and Hiring Fair Workgroup, and contributes to suicide awareness and behavioral health initiatives. A Cornell University MPA graduate, she is a 2024 Health Care Hero and a recognized mental health leader Originally from Kenya, she is committed to empowering communities and advancing mental health awareness. Read More Below
JoanneAwuorOport
joport@africansformentalhealthorg
Laurel High School Choir
The Laurel, MD High School Choir is led by Kevin Lewis, Choir Director The Laurel High School Choir has performed for a number of regional events. The Laurel High School Performing Arts Department believes “that in order for students to gain high achievements in academics as well as their own self-fulfillment as an individual between art disciplines, is needed These relative experiences gives the student a connected understanding to their larger world.”
Meetthe LaurelHighSchoolChoir
To donate to this program please contact Kevin Lewis or the Laurel High School PTA.
kevinlewis@pgcpsorg
Meet KayKiara “The Storyteller”
KayKiara “TheStoryTeller” is a mother of two, certified preschool teacher, certified lash technician, youth cheer coach, recent college graduate, currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, mental health & suicide prevention advocate, and last but not least SPOKENWORD POET. KayKiara’s poetry style is deep, personal, emotional, and relatable She writes from her heart and every poem has a heartfelt message for her audience. The Story Teller has been writing for as long as remember. KayKiara has been able to use her poetry platform to tap into her passion on Mental Health Awareness, Suicide Prevention and Domestic Violence
MEET THE CITY OF LAUREL MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
Keith Sydnor
MeetMayor MayorKeithSydnor
On November 7, 2023, Keith Sydnor was elected as Mayor of the City of Laurel and sworn in on November 27, 2023. First elected in November 2017 as a Council member and having served three terms, Keith is a dynamic and motivating leader who is dedicated to the progress of people, his country, and his community. Born and raised in Petersburg, Virginia, Keith has been a resident of Laurel, Maryland, since 2003. Keith is also employed with the Prince George’s County Public School System as a substitute teacher from March 2021 to the present. Read more about Mayor Sydnor, here.
laurelmayor@laurelmdus
Meet Council President
Kyla Clark
Council President Kyla Clark was elected to her first term on the City Council in 2023, to represent Ward 2 and has been elected by her colleagues to serve as Council President. Council President Clark holds an MBA in International Marketing and Global Business, a B.S. and A.A.S. Her career has reached prestigious heights with esteemed institutions, including the United States Senate on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Justice, and leading corporations like WebMD and The Black Congressional Caucus Foundation.
Read more about Council President Clark here and follow her on social media.
Kclark@laurel md us
@kylaclarkforlaurel
Meet Councilwoman
Christine Johnson
Councilmember Christine Johnson was elected to her first term on November 7, 2023, representing the City At-Large. Christine was born and raised in Prince George’s County. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Maryland College Park. After getting married in 2002, Christine settled in Ward 1, raised 2 children, and has called Laurel home ever since. She is the coowner of JayMedia Group, head of the publishing division. She enjoys learning new things, meeting and collaborating with new people, providing resources and helping the community, especially the children and senior citizens. Read more about Councilmember Johnson, here.
cjohnson@laurelmdus
Meet Councilmember
James Kole
Councilmember Christine Johnson was elected to her first term on November 7, 2023, representing the City At-Large. Christine was born and raised in Prince George’s County. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Maryland College Park. After getting married in 2002, Christine settled in Ward 1, raised 2 children, and has called Laurel home ever since. She is the coowner of JayMedia Group, head of the publishing division. She enjoys learning new things, meeting and collaborating with new people, providing resources and helping the community, especially the children and senior citizens. Read more about Councilmember Johnson, here.
Jkole@laurelmdus
My mission in life is to always leave people better than I found them and to make a positive difference in my community.
THE HONORABLE VALERIE NICHOLAS, THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN COUNCILWOMAN AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT, SERVED FIVE TERMS (10 YEARS WITH AN UNDEFEATED RECORD.)
Meet Councilmember Jeffrey Mills
Councilman Jeffrey W. Mills was elected to his first term on the City Council on November 7, 2023, to represent Ward 2 and selected as Council Pro Tempore in 2024. Jeffrey is a second-generation Councilman in his family, following the footsteps of his father, The Honorable Councilman John W. Mills, Jr. Growing up in Seat Pleasant, Maryland, a working-class family, Jeffrey learned the importance of family, hard work, education, and public service. As a child, he worked with grassroots civic associations. He worked for the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Prince George’s County Public Schools, and the State Highway Administration before becoming an entrepreneur. Read more about Councilmember Mills, here.
jmills@laurelmdus
Meet Councilmember
Adrian Simmons
Councilman Adrian G Simmons was elected to the Laurel City Council on July 1, 2024, and sworn in two days later, eager to serve the people of Laurel. A lifelong resident, he grew up in South Laurel and now lives in Ward 1 with his wife and four sons A CPA and business owner, he took over his father’s Main Street accounting practice in 2014 after earning his BBA and MBA from Loyola University Maryland and working at KPMG Baltimore. Passionate about civic engagement, he has served on the Historic District Commission, Planning Commission, and various advisory committees, including leading the Citizens Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities after its pandemic hiatus. Dedicated to community service, he has been an Eagle Scout, a Cubmaster, a parish finance advisor, and a tax counsel for local nonprofits. A proud member of the Laurel Board of Trade and Maryland Association of CPAs, Adrian also enjoys letterpress printing, dark chocolate, exploring nature with his family, and celebrating July 4th Read More Here
I am honored and humbled to be among the African American residents, sung and unsung, who have contributed to the great success of this City.
THE HONORABLE
FRED SMALLS, PREVIOUS COUNCIL PRESIDENT, SERVED 14+ YEARS
Weareimmenselygratefulforyour attendancetodayaswecollectively embraceandcelebratetherichnessof Blackheritageduringthemonthof February.Letuscontinuetocommemorate andhonorBlackhistorynotjustduringthis month,buteveryday,asweworktowards amoreequitableandjustsocietyforall. ThankYouforComing