YOKOSUKA, Japan – Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka’s (CFAY) Multicultural Committee (MCC) hosted a Black History Month celebration in CFAY’s Chapel of Hope, Feb. 14.
The event celebrated the accomplishments of the last 100 years, recognizing significant personal and cultural contributions of Black Americans from 1920 to 2020 with presentations, food and drinks.
Organizers of the event said events like these are important because they allow the CFAY community to learn about each other’s culture.
“A lot of people learn about things in school but don’t have any personal experience with the culture and community,” said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Petty Officer Tyron Ore, CFAY MCC vice president. “Having events like this offers more insight and firsthand experience into other backgrounds.”
During his opening introduction, Ore said the event was much more than a history lesson.
“Most of us in elementary school, middle school and high school have learn about African American legends like Frederick Douglas, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and Malcolm X,” said Ore. “All are great people who helped mold American to what it is today but year after year it’s the same; this year we wanted to do something different and celebrate a century in the making, showing not only at African American people, but a look into the black community and black culture.”
During the event, members of CFAY’s MCC presented information of each decade from 1920 to 2020.
“I thought the celebration was very creative and the Sailors really presented a different twist of Black History Month,” said Captain Rich Jarrett, CFAY’s commanding officer. “I enjoyed talking to the Sailors that made the presentations and listening to why they chose the decade that they did.”
Visitors of the event said getting to share their culture with others was a rewarding experience.
“It was great to see where we come from, where we started as a country and a culture, and where we’re at today,” said Chief Master-at-Arms Laymoun Ferguson, CFAY Harbor Patrol Unit leading chief petty officer. “It was amazing to see the different trends of different decades.”
For 75 years, CFAY has provided, maintained, and operated base facilities and services in support of the U.S. 7th Fleet’s forward-deployed naval forces, tenant commands, and thousands of military and civilian personnel and their families.
