Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, State Representative Bud Williams, and Dr. Gloria Williams joined with city and state officials, the Springfield Black Coalition, The Peter Brace Brigade, and the community to celebrate Black American Heritage and raise the Black American Heritage Flag at City Hall on Saturday, February 1st.
Police Superintendent Larry Akers, Springfield Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Sonia Dinnall, Fire District Chief Curt Marcellin, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Judi Crowell, Mayoral Aide Shenell Ford, School Committee member Barbara Gresham, City Council Vice President Tracye Whitfield, City Councilors Lavar Click-Bruce, Jose Delgado, and Tim Allen, Kateri Walsh, State Representative Carlos Gonzalez, State Senator Bud Williams, Governor Maura Healey’s Western Massachusetts Deputy Director LaMar Cook, Regional Director for the Office of U.S. Senator Ed Markey Jesse Lederman, 2025 Ruth B. Loving Civil Rights Awardee and Police Commissioner Robert “Cee” Jackson, Pastor at Wesley United Methodist Church Rev. Catharine A. Cummings, and many community leaders joined for the ceremony.
This year marked the 39th annual Ruth B. Loving Black American Heritage flag raising in the city. Mayor Sarno issued an annual proclamation declaring February as “Black History Month” in the City of Springfield. The event, emceed by Dr. Gloria Williams and husband Rep. Bud Williams, featured a processional by the Peter Brace Brigade & the Third Masonic District of MA; an invocation by Reverend Cummings; guest speakers: Police Superintendent Akers, Schools Superintendent Dr. Dinnall, Fire District Chief Marcellin, City Council Vice President Whitfield, Deputy Director Cook, Rep. Gonzalez, and Senator Gomez; an inspiring keynote address from Rev. Taylon Lancaster of Third Baptist Church; the presentation of the prestigious Ruth B. Loving Civil Rights Award to long-time Civil Rights advocate and member of the Board of Police Commissioners Robert C. Jackson – who recognized the youth in attendance and invited them to join him in continuing the legacy of Ruth B. Loving; a closing prayer from City councilor Lavar Click Bruce; and culminated with the raising of the African American Heritage flag on the front steps of City Hall.
Mayor Sarno states, “The City of Springfield is proud to host our 39th Annual Black American Heritage Flag raising ceremony as we celebrate the rich diversity and mosaic that is our Springfield community. Thank you to all who made this beautiful annual event a success. We proudly continue to honor the legacy of our local civil rights icon, Ruth B. Loving, through the presentation of an award named in her honor to a member of our greater Springfield community that strives to enhance and move our community forward with respect and equity for all. I am proud to congratulate my friend, and beloved and well-respected community leader, especially in our African-American community, Robert C. Jackson on being selected this year for this honor. Commissioner Jackson – ‘Cee,’ is a passionate activist, hardworking businessman, and a generous philanthropist who cares deeply for our Springfield community. Thank you, Cee, for your continued contributions to the well-being of our Springfield. Good health and God Bless.”
