Carter G. Woodson founded Black History Week on February 7, 1926, which was the precursor to Black History Month. It was founded as a way of honoring the contributions of the Black race. He chose this date as it fell between the dates of two great men, President Abraham Lincoln and the great orator Frederick Douglass. Woodson wanted to encompass the two individuals who had shaped Black History, as celebrations had been held for both men separately since the end of slavery. Woodson encouraged the public to extend their study to Black History. Woodson, who was also the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life & History (ASALH), set a theme every year for which the public is to study and honor and celebrate. This year’s theme is African Americans and the Arts.
On February 17, 2024, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department, County Board of Supervisor Holly Mitchell, and the Stentorians will be dedicating Fire Station No. 58 in the remembrance of Assistant Fire Chief Hershel Clady.
Hershel Clady attended San Diego High School and was recently inducted posthumously to the Wall of Honor. Clady joined the Air Force in 1969 and was stationed in Kokomo, IN. After his military service, he relocated to Los Angeles in 1969 and later applied and was hired by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Over the next seven years, Hershel became the first African American promoted to Fire Engineer and Fire Captain in Los Angeles County. He was later promoted to Battalion Chief in 1987 and achieved the rank of Assistant Fire Chief in 1993.Throughout his successful career, Hershel championed the fight for equal rights of African Americans and other people of color against biased employment exams and physical tests, not only in Los Angeles County, where he took such cases to the U.S. Supreme Court, but throughout the nation.
Another historical moment occurred when President George H. W. Bush, specifically called out to meet Assistant Chief Clady upon his visit to Los Angeles after the L.A. Riots.
Hershel Clady dedicated his career to improving public and fire safety standards. He also particularly addressed the underrepresentation of African American women and served as a mentor in their recruitment, training and career development.
Hershel enjoyed attending Clady family reunions and hosting Labor Day gatherings. Upon retirement Hershel became an avid golfer, traveling to tournaments and winning various trophies.
Hershel served as an officer and member of various boards and associations and received many awards and accolades from the community during his 31-year public service career. Some of his achievements include:
•Regional Director, International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters
•Member, International Association of Fire Chiefs
•Past President, Stentorians of Los Angeles County
•Board Member, Black County Employees Association
•National Douglass Alumni Association
•Member, Black Chief Officers Association
•Board Member, Carl Holmes Executive Development Institute
•Co-Founder of Professional Black Professional Female Fire Fighters of Southern California
•Board member, Gwen Bolden Foundation
•Past President, Chester Washington Golf Club
•Los Angeles Firefighter of the Year
His children, Chandra Clady, Cassandra Clady and Hershel Clady II, are proud of their father’s legacy!
Calendar Events for Black History Month & Beyond
On Saturday February 24, 2024, from 5:00 pm-7:30 pm, the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art in collaboration with the San Diego History Center will honor its 2024 Keepers of the Culture recipients. The individuals being honored are:
•Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe, the first Black woman to win an election to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. She secured the unanimous vote to approve the newly established San Diego Black Arts + Culture District.
•Vernon Sukumu: A community activist and former Chair of the Black Federation and the Welfare Rights Organization.
•The legendary R & B Group Satisfaction: Roosevelt Carter, Theotis Duncan, Hassan El Amin, Herbert Sims Jr, Floyd A. Smith and Lenard Tucker.
Doors will open at 5pm for a reception featuring the musical group Satisfaction and the program will begin at 6pm. This event is free, but space is limited. To RSVP, go to https://sdaamfa.org/ Event Located at: San Diego History Center, 1649 El Prado, San Diego CA 92110.
The Coronado Historical Association and local Coronado historian Kevin Ashley unveiled its one-of-a-kind exhibit, “An Island Looks Back: Shedding Light on Coronado’s Hidden African American History” on Friday, February 9, 2024.
The “An Island Looks Back” exhibit explores the overlooked stories of the African American and their contributions to Coronado, CA. Kevin Ashley shares the stories of African Americans who played a significant role among the early pioneers who shaped Coronado’s foundation.
The stories shed light on the lives of Gus & Emma Thompson, Edward & Mary Anderson, The Hudgins, The Ludlow family, Black Civil War veterans; Buffalo Soldiers, restrictive covenants, the Federal Housing Project, and the children that attended Coronado High School. The stories reveal both the tragedies and triumphs of a people with great resilience.
This is a must-see exhibit as we celebrate Black History Month. “An Island Looks Back” will be open through May 2024. Coronado Historical Museum, 1100 Orange Avenue, Coronado CA 92118. Call for hours: (619) 435-7242.
BLACK History Month Celebration
The Oya Art Gallery & Boutique will be holding a Black History Month Celebration at the historical Clementine McDuff Elks Lodge on Saturday ,February 17, 2024, from 2pm-5:30pm. There will be historical talks by local Black historians and activists. Then there will be the opening of San Diego’s Black History Exhibit (provided by the San Diego History Center) in the Oya Art Gallery upstairs. The exhibit will be open the week of February 19-23, Feb26-March 1 by appointment. Call 619-366-0673 to schedule a private viewing. Open to the public from Feb 24-25 & March 2, 1:30pm-7pm. Address: 6 Hensley Street, SD CA 92102
