BLACK HISTORY MONTH

HISTORY

The Smithville Community Coalition, in partnership with the Cornelius Parks & Recreation Department, celebrates Black History Month every year with a special event in February. This free, public event is offered in collaboration with the Cain Center for the Arts, and features performances, speakers, children’s activities and more. 

The national 2023 Black History Month theme, “Black Resistance,” explored how African Americans addressed historic and ongoing disadvantages and oppression, as evidenced by recent events.  

The local focus for 2023 in Cornelius was “Smithville was. Smithville is. Smithville will be.” This highlighted the resilience of the historic African American neighborhood of Smithville and commemorated 50 years of the pursuit of annexation to the Town of Cornelius beginning in 1972. 

Mayor Woody Washam and Willie Jones, SCC Executive Director