Commission on Human Rights
KY Human Rights Commission tomorrow visits Middlesboro

To help recognize the U.S. African American History Month of February, the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 14, will visit Middlesboro, Ky.

Representatives of the state government agency that enforces the Kentucky and U.S. Civil Rights acts will appear at Bell County High School at 9:30 a.m. (EST) and Bell County Middle School at 11 a.m. to address the student body assemblies about Kentucky African American history and to discuss the work of the commission.

The commission will also visit the town libraries to donate sets of the commission’s Gallery of Great Black Kentuckians posters. There are 54 posters in the Gallery. The posters present photos and biographical profiles of Kentucky African American men and women who have made remarkable personal and professional accomplishments or who played a significant role in Kentucky history. The commission has been producing the historical posters for over 30 years.

Kentucky Human Rights Commissioner Samuel R. Coleman Jr. represents the state at large on the Commission Board and lives in Middlesboro.

“Many times I have stood in front of these students and talked to them about my own experience and understanding of civil rights,” Commissioner Coleman said. “We are glad to have the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights here this year to give our town, our community minority members, and our kids a real face to identify with the commission. The commission can present to our students documented, historical facts about the black historical experience in the state of Kentucky,” he said.

Just last week in the state capitol rotunda, Gov. Steve Beshear helped the commission induct three new members into the Gallery of Great Black Kentuckians. They are Kentucky State Senator Gerald Neal, the late Arthur Walters, and the late William Blakey. See the posters and read about the lives of these individuals by visiting www.kchr.ky.gov Photos of the posters are on the homepage.

The posters are free to schools, students, and the public at large. To request the free posters, contact the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights at 1.800.292.5566.

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