The great poet Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” When I was growing up, I had the opportunity to see many Black leaders throughout my community and the state of Connecticut. I cannot forget the impact they had on me while they made history throughout the state and in our cities and towns.
These leaders were changing the dynamics of Connecticut and their impact has been long-lasting in many people’s hearts. They were making Black history as pioneers in their fields. Many were unsung heroes, unrecognized for the contributions they were making to their communities. Others were widely known and celebrated. As we mark Black History Month, we must consider and recognize these leaders, not just this month but all year long, for their impact on our communities.
Connecticut was one of the last states in New England to abolish slavery in 1848. During the 19th Century, abolitionist and journalist William Lloyd Garrison called Connecticut the “Georgia of the North” because of the continued racism that persisted after slavery ended.
Connecticut has a deep-seated history of redlining and discriminatory practices that have occurred in our major cities to reinforce segregation. In the state of Connecticut, currently, there are 169 municipalities. 153 of these municipalities are predominately White and 16 are where people of color are concentrated.
In the 1980s, we began to see a rise of White supremacist groups throughout the nation and in the state of Connecticut. There were violent incidents and displays of hatred throughout the country.
In 1981, Michael Donald, a 19-year-old Black man, was abducted, severely beaten, killed, and then lynched by three Ku Klux Klan members in Alabama.
However, something else occurred in the 1980s that was transformational for the future of the city of Hartford and the state of Connecticut: the residents of Hartford elected their first Black mayor, Thirman L. Milner. Milner was the first popularly elected Black mayor in New England. He won during a time when the city was heavily influenced by White leaders and business CEOs. He served for three two-year terms, prioritizing bringing unity to the heavily segregated city.
Then, directly following Mayor Milner, the city elected its second Black mayor and the first female mayor, Carrie Saxon Perry, in 1987. She was the first Black woman elected mayor of any major city in New England. Saxon Perry served three two-year terms as mayor of Hartford.
What made Mayor Milner and Mayor Saxon Perry so influential to others in the community was that you saw them leading and serving in the community. They were not historical figures but current leaders standing up for justice. Just like other, more unsung leaders in the community, they were modeling leadership and paving the way for others to become the next leaders in their community. Representation at all levels matters.
Entrepreneur and nonprofit leader Savanda La’Trece moved to Hartford from South Carolina in the early 1990s when she was in high school. She said it was a bit of a culture shock, moving from a very diverse community to a highly racially segregated city. She remembers learning more about Black history in high school from influential teachers such as Mr. Epps and Ms. Shepherd, who encouraged her to love and embrace herself as a Black person.
“We would talk about the mayors that we had, leadership, and senators; it made a huge difference,” she said. “It made me feel like you can do anything. And you are not really at the bottom of the barrel.”
La’Trece shared that seeing others become the first, like Mayor Milner, gave her and others in the community the foresight that they also could be the first.
“If I had not moved up north to see all of this, I don’t think I would be the leader I am today; seeing those leaders gave me the courage to be out in the community,” she said. “I love being with and mingling with people in the community, building the community, and fighting for the rights of other people. I don’t think I would be the person I am today if I didn’t have that leadership to look up to.”
When asked what impact it had on her to have two Black mayors elected back to back, serving in Hartford for 12 years, La’Trece said, “It let me know that whatever you put your mind to do, you definitely can do it. They say the sky is the limit, but there is no limit.”
Ashon Avent, entrepreneur and educator, grew up in Hartford.
He also noted that Mayors Milner and Saxon Perry were down to earth and focused on developing the community. Having successful leaders whom he could identify with as an African American was powerful for him as a young person in ways he did not recognize at the time.
“I didn’t appreciate it as much until I got older. Looking back on the history, I just thought it was a normal thing,” he said.
Avent also named several other unsung heroes who were impactful on him during his formative years: Martin Hamilton Sr., Sheila Perry, Curtis Robinson, Jackie Bethea, Carey Redd, Karen Lewis, Jahar Brown, Tom Smith, Ms. Mitchell, Ms. Sharp, Ms. Phillips, Ms. Krause, and Darryl Burke.
He said, “They took me under their wing to help develop me. They created a sense of community.” Avent mentioned that these leaders may not have been the political figures out front, but they were strong, influential leaders who led from behind the scenes.
As a young boy growing up in Hartford, I too looked up to Mayor Milner and Mayor Saxon Perry. Like Avent, I didn’t realize their leadership was rare. My teachers, business owners, politicians, and community leaders were powerful Black men and women. Their presence gave me the confidence and courage to enter any space: I knew I belonged. The Black leaders and pioneers before me blazed the trail I would walk later.
Representation matters. It is important to recognize the leaders in our community who have paved the way for other leaders to rise up and go after their dreams. Maybe they also will become the first at something, but whatever they accomplish they are fulfilling the dreams and prayers of their ancestors.
During a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion policies are under attack and public institutions are being forced to remove mission and vision statements that illuminate the pathway toward inclusive communities, let us not lose focus. Let’s ensure that all voices are heard and welcomed at the table. In celebration of Black History Month, let’s push for a time when Black History is honored as American History and initiatives are not needed to make spaces welcoming for all.
In honor of Black History Month, who are the leaders in your community and in your life who have paved the way for you? Share their stories, celebrate their impact, and ensure that history is told. Black History is everyone’s history.
Kevin L. Booker Jr. is a member of the Connecticut Mirror’s Community Editorial Board.
