City of Hawthorne Celebrated Black History Month
The City of Hawthorne held its annual Black History Month Celebration on Friday, February 28, 2025. This was the last day of events throughout the city, state, and nation.
By Ricky Richardson | Contributing Writer
(Hawthorne, CA) The City of Hawthorne held its annual Black History Month Celebration on Friday, February 28, 2025. This was the last day of events throughout the city, state, and nation.
The Black History Month Celebration in Hawthorne honored Black History and culture. Guests experienced vibrant performances, inspiring stories, an uplifting atmosphere/vibe, and good Southern food.
The celebration in Hawthorne was the ninth of a plethora of significant events that I attended to celebrate Black History Month throughout the City of Los Angeles.
Dayna Williams-Hunter, Hawthorne’s first African American City Clerk, and her team organized the Black History Month Celebration, held on Friday, February 28, 2025.
The celebration honored an array of African American elected officials and local community members. Hawthorne elected officials, the city attorney, the Police Chief, employees, representatives from local organizations, and community leaders were in attendance for the festive gathering.
Councilmember Alex Monteiro, Roy Gray, and City Clerk Dayna Williams-Hunter, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
The program got underway with greetings from Dayna Williams-Hunter and Councilmember Alex Monteiro. Councilmember Monteiro gave an overview of the history of Black History Month, created by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in February 1926. Councilmember Monteiro is the first African American elected to the Hawthorne City Council.
City Clerk Dayna Williams-Hunter, Councilmember Faye Johnson, City Manager Vontray Norris, Councilmember Angie Reyes English, Councilmember Alex Monteiro, and Mayor Pro Tem Katrina Manning, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Pastor Hosea Collins of Calvary Baptist Church of Hawthorne gave the Invocation. The Posting of Colors was presented by the American Legion Auxiliary Jackie Robinson Unit 252 Color Guard. Followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor John Jackson, Del Aire Baptist Church performed the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Classical operatic singer Abiodun “Abi” Koya graced the stage to perform several selections. Eires, a Music Therapist at Calvary Baptist Church in Hawthorne, thrilled guests with her uplifting musical performance.
There was a brief pause for the cause so that guests could enjoy a delicious dinner of Soul food that was served in the Lobby of City Hall.
The program resumed with Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor addressing the crowd and was the first recipient of a Proclamation.
The program continued with Councilmember Alex Monteiro and City Clerk Dayna Williams-Hunter presenting Proclamations to several local African American community leaders and organizations.
Dr. L David Patterson, Councilmember Alex Monteiro, Olivia Valentine, Chris Brown, Councilmember Angie Reyes English, Mayor Pro Tem Katrina Manning, and City Clerk Dayna Williams-Hunter, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Olivia Valentine, the first African American woman on Hawthorne City Council; Chris Brown, the first African American Mayor of Hawthorne; Hawthorne Treasurer Marie Poindexter; and Dr. L David Patterson, the first African American Treasurer and former Councilmember.
Darlene Love, Dr. Joseph Jackson, Juanita Douse, Darvis Johnson, Ruby Cohen, Carole Madsen, and Presley Suomie were several commissioners honored during the celebration.
Additional honorees receiving Proclamations were Dr. Ruth Creary, Co-founder, and CEO, of Creary Family Foundation, Alaric Simon-Hawthorne Imperial Lion’s Club, Mose Boye, Retail Service Manager, Kinecta Federal Credit Union and Latrice McGlothin, Kinecta Federal Credit Union, Ray Gray, Hawthorne High School Instructor, Dr. Eugene Krank, Hawthorne School Board, Rolling Hills/Palos Verdes Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and Bishop John Richardson, Journey Ministries of God in Christ.
Elected officials honored during the Black History Month Celebration were Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Senator Laura Richardson, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell.
The final Proclamation was presented to City Manager Vontray Norris. Mr. Norris is the first African American City Manager in Hawthorne. City Manager Vontray Norris was presented with a surprise birthday cake in celebration of his upcoming birthday.
The City of Hawthorne should be commended for honoring the invaluable contributions of individuals who have made a significant impact in their community as well as in their respective fields.
