Dr. Gerald Smith, Karen Cotton McDaniel and Dr. John A. Hardin, co-editors of the Kentucky African American Encyclopedia, were recipients of the 2016 Legacy Award today at the 13th annual Black History Month Celebration at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort.
This year’s event, hosted by the Kentucky Black Legislative Caucus, focused on the theme “The Unfinished Business of Kentucky: ‘Symbolism and Reality.’”
“African Americans have made significant contributions to our state and to our nation,” Senator Gerald A. Neal, D-Louisville, said. “As we celebrate those accomplishments, it is only fitting that we honor those who have made significant contributions by acknowledging those achievements. Black History Month allows us to reflect on the resilience and spirit of the African-American community and the unmatched influence its leaders have had on the American fiber.”
Dr. Smith, associate professor at the University of Kentucky, delivered the keynote address on “The Unfinished Business of Kentucky: ‘Symbolism and Reality’” to a standing room only crowd in the Capitol Rotunda. He spoke just a few feet from the Jefferson Davis statute that was the symbolic focus of his presentation.
Dr. Carolyn Dupont, associate history professor at Eastern Kentucky University, set the stage for Dr. Smith by opening with some of Kentucky’s history and arguments for the removal of the statute from the Rotunda.
“The work by Dr. Smith, Ms. McDaniel and Dr. Hardin is a major step in preserving the accomplishments of African American leaders,” said Senator Neal. We were honored to have acknowledged them by bestowing our highest recognition, the Living Legacy Award. Today, we also see the scholarly insight into the experience and efforts of Dr. Dupont and the other 71 professors who requested that the Jefferson Davis statute be removed from the Capitol Rotunda, a place of honor, to a more suitable historical place. We honored them with House and Senate Resolutions.”
“Just last week, we gathered in the Capitol Rotunda and celebrated the life of one of Kentucky’s great African-American leaders, Sen. Georgia Powers,” said Governor Matt Bevin. “In an interview on the occasion of her 90th birthday, Sen. Powers told a reporter ‘I did what I was supposed to do in life.’ As we celebrate Black History Month and remember those who, like Sen. Powers, were strong and colorful threads in the tapestry of Kentucky history, let us also remember that every single one of us can make a lasting contribution to the fabric of our communities by doing what we are each ‘supposed to do in life.’”
Along with Senator Neal, the Kentucky Black Legislative Caucus includes Senator Reginald Thomas, D-Lexington and Representatives George Brown Jr., D-Lexington; Jim Glenn, D-Owensboro; Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort; Reginald Meeks and Darryl Owens, both D-Louisville, and Arnold Simpson, D-Covington. Several other members of the caucus joined Neal in speaking on the significance of the Black History Month celebration. Graham led the Legislative Roll Call.
“This is not just a celebration of African American history,” Neal explained, “This is a celebration of American history. Black History Month presents us an opportunity to remember the important legacy of African Americans in Kentucky and the nation – much of which would have been lost over the years if not for this special time of remembrance. It is important that we know and honor many of the notable citizens who have contributed to our history as well as pay respect to the many, many others whom history has forgotten. I encourage all Kentuckians to join me as we observe Black History Month.”
Award Recipients
Dr. Gerald Smith is a professor of history and the holder of the Theodore A. Hallam Professorship (2015-17) in the department of history at the University of Kentucky. He is author, editor and coeditor of three books and other publications on history.
Karen Cotton McDaniel is professor emeritus at Kentucky State University, where she was a tenured full professor and director of libraries. She has more than 20 publications on black Kentuckians, including book chapters, articles and encyclopedic essays. She has also taught at Eastern Kentucky University and Berea College.
Dr. John A. Hardin, a professor of history at Western Kentucky University, is the author of two books, several major articles and numerous book reviews on Kentucky African American history. He has taught at KSU and Eastern Washington University and has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Louisville and University of Kentucky.