This fall, the 15-year anniversary of Montgomery County’s African Heritage Month drew in a crowd of over 145 people to a room of 126 seats.

On Sept. 5, the Office of Community Partnerships and the African Affairs Advisory Group (AAAG) held an annual celebration at the Silver Spring Civics Centre. According to the Montgomery County Council, African Heritage Month was introduced as a means to celebrate African influences on local and national communities.  

Among the crowd were local organizations such as African Tourism Union, African American Health Program, African Women Cancer Awareness Association, FAsMarketplace and Voice of Africa. Also in attendance was Montgomery County Executive, Marc Elrich, who shared some remarks, acknowledging the lack of conversation that surrounds the immense effort and struggle that the African community have to navigate in and out of America.

“People who don’t know their history are condemned to repeat it,” said Elrich. “We’re not willing to get past our struggle, if we [as a whole], don’t talk about it”  

Elrich mentioned that Montgomery County had plans to fund events, groups and resources that will distribute food and clothing to African communities.   

“$20.000 for events, such as this,” said Elrich, presenting an opportunity to build a stronger economic foundation for the African community present in Montgomery County.  

Presented at the event was the application, AAAG Mobile App, which was created with the purpose to inform. According to Mansa Colabs, a consulting agency that presented the app at the event, its purpose is to bring awareness to business conducted within the African community.  

The app was highlighted as a tool for connection to those in and outside of the African community. To be featured in AAAG Mobile App is a tab updated with local news, meant to share and provide a resource for critical information and community events.

During the event there was a panel discussion consisting of seven people, who were tasked to focus on subjects such as education and future endeavors. Among the seven panelists was Kadmiel Van Der Puije, the founder of Voice of Africa, a media platform local to Maryland. Kadmiel spoke of his family and their experience as immigrants in America who constantly dealt with misconceptions of African culture.  

 “Why don’t we create an organization that gives people this information about what Africa’s all about,” said Van Der Puije. 

The need for connection was emphasized repeatedly, as well as the importance of reflection. Also among the seven panelists was Yoseph Zerihun, a Springbrook high school student and finalist for the 2023 election for student member of  Montgomery County’s Board of Education.

“This is an incredible opportunity for me,” Zerihun said. ”This means so much to me because I’m proud of my African heritage, my Ethiopian heritage. Being offered to speak at something like this is just incredible and I hope, I’ve seen some people that have inspired me in my life, and I just hope to sort of keep the torch going and passing the torch to other young people.”