For the Miami Valley Today

TROY — February is always a special month at Lincoln Community Center (LCC), and the center looks forward to honoring the past, celebrating the present, and inspiring the future.

LCC will kick off Black History Month at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 1, in the John and Caroline Spencer building with Loretta Phillips teaching black history and facilitating a craft with the LCC youth in the after school program. Immediately following at 5:30 p.m., the public is invited to attend a history presentation by Larry Hamilton, a local historian, who founded the Randolph and McCulloch Freedom’s Struggle Complex in Piqua.

On Friday, Feb. 4, LCC will have a booth inside Pop-Up @ 4 W. Main from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Inaugural Troy Main Street Black History and Culture Walk event. Stop by LCC’s booth while you are in Pop-Up obtaining your passport for the walk.

Throughout the month of February, the LCC youth will learn the real history of many African Americans as the LCC teaches and honors the past during the After School Program. The youth will also be working with LCC staff on a performance to share with their parents and families. LCC director, Shane Carter, and youth from the LCC will also be present at the Troy-Miami County Public Library presentation on Thursday, Feb. 24. This event held at the library is a community collaboration, which will be free and open to the public.

The conclusion of Black History Month events at LCC will feature the Annual Jazz and Soul Food Night from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26. Eddie Osborne will be returning this year for the entertainment of the evening. As always, this fellowship event will be open to the public, and the LCC invites everyone to attend. With the challenges of COVID-19, this event will not have the traditional carry-in style meal as in the past. Food will be limited to individual portions prepared and boxed for attendees.

LCC is looking forward to another month dedicated to celebrating a rich history.