LYNN — In observance of Black History Month, which started today, the North Shore Juneteenth Association (NSJA) will honor 17 Black North Shore residents for their achievements in their communities and careers Tuesday evening at City Hall.
A plaque bearing the names and photos of the 17 Local Black Excellence honorees from Lynn, Peabody, Salem, Medford, and Gloucester will be unveiled and displayed at a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The Local Black Excellence program, since its inception in 2019, will soon have around 50 honorees, North Shore Juneteenth Association President Nicole McClain said. She said that the program aims to bring a sense of pride and positive representation to the Black community.
“We want the community to see that Black people contribute positively to our community — and to have your face up during Black History Month brings pride to you, as the person being recognized, it brings pride to the community, and it brings pride to their family as well, to be able to come in and see their family member has been recognized,” McClain said.
Three honorees — Lynn Physician Taiese Hickman, Activist and Author Tonya Nash, and Medford Poet Laureate and lawyer Terry Carter — will speak at the unveiling. Additionally, McClain said that Mayor Jared Nicholson will likely deliver welcoming remarks.
This year’s Local Black Excellence ceremony marks the first in-person program since its inaugural Black Excellence award in 2019. McClain said she hopes the display will inspire Black children in Lynn.
“We’re hoping that children will take trips to this installation, see these banners, and be inspired for the Black History Month. Also, hopefully this will spark an interest in looking into more Black history throughout the year and not just during Black History Month,” McClain said. “It’s also about representation for our young children, who come and see these faces and say to themselves ‘I am also able to be successful, or get into various careers, or inspire my community in a positive way.’ ”
The following community members will be named Local Black Excellence Honorees: Dr. Kenann McKenzie, Michelle La Poetica, Nakia Navarro, Edwin Cabrera, Doreen Murray, Arthur V. Akers, Adriana Paz, Lev McClain, Ticona Suggs, Jennifer Harris, Mariama Barry, Andre K. Bennett, Brian Vaughn, Jason Taglieri, Michea McCaffrey, Tonya Nash, and Terry Carter.
