Concern about the future of immigrants permeated an otherwise joyful celebration of African Heritage Tuesday evening at the Silver Spring Civic Center.
This marks the 17th year Montgomery County has celebrated African Heritage during September. The theme of the event was ‘Revisiting African History, Shaping Our Collective Future.’
The participants dressed in colorful clothing, marking their native countries. They also sang and danced throughout the speaking portions of the program. Many of the speeches from county and state officials included remarks about the federal government’s action against immigrants.
“Please, please, please. Stand up, and let your voices be heard at this moment,” said Shawn Ellis, multilingual and cultural communications and community outreach manager in the county’s Office of Community Partnerships.
“We know these is a very stressful time,” said Council President Kate Stewart. She reassured participants, “We are here to support you. We will get through this together.”
More than 63,000 Montgomery County residents were born in Africa, and one-third of them are from Ethiopia, according to a county proclamation to mark the occasion.
State Delegates Jheanelle K. Wilkins and Lorig Charkoudian reassured the crowd that Maryland is inclusive and welcoming.
“We enrich the soul of Montgomery County,” said Keyna Anyiam, chair of the African Affairs Advisory Group. “We bring language, food and traditions.”
“Immigrants aren’t just part of the story. We are the co-authors of the story,” said Keynote Speaker Soffie Ceesay, a member of the African Affairs Advisory Group. “It is not enough to be in the room. We must be counted,” she said.
Montgomery County celebrates African American Heritage Month with song, dance, speeches and proclamations Tuesday night. @mymcmedia @MoCoCouncilMD pic.twitter.com/sY4jz4EinP
— suzanne pollak (@SuzannePollak) September 9, 2025
