News Release

2020 Birthday Celebration & Trailblazer Awards Ceremony

NPS/Tom Engberg & NAAMCC

News Release Date: March 4, 2020

Contact: Dr. Joy Kinard, 937-352-6757

Birthday Celebration and Trailblazer Awards Ceremony

The National Park Service (NPS), the National Afro- American Museum and Cultural Center (NAAMCC) and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. will jointly sponsor the 156^th birthday celebration of Colonel Charles Young Thursday, March 12^th, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event will be streamed live on the park’s Facebook page.

This free public program will take place at the NAAMCC which is located at 1350 Brush Row Road, Wilberforce, OH 45384.

Dr. Andrew Ray 39^th Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. will serve as the keynote speaker. We will also present the Trailblazer Awards, which is given to individuals to recognize their outstanding service and commitment to our community, leadership, and youth. This year’s awards will be given to Dr. Andrew Ray, Mr. George McDonald Director of NPS Youth Programs, Colonel Matthew B. Coleman US Army Retired, Dr. James C. Harper Historian, and Mr. Sloan T. Baptiste Coach, Personal Trainer and Stunt Actor.

A special dance performance will be provided by Anointed Dance Academy from Dayton, Ohio.  Additional remarks will be shared by Dr. Cynthia Jackson – Hammond President of Central State University, Dr. Elfred Pinkard President of Wilberforce University, Dr. Charles Wash, Director of the NAAMCC, Mr. Sam Bain Southwest Ohio Outreach Representative in the office of U.S. Senator Rob Portman, Ms. Marty Heidi, Outreach Representative in the office of Congressman Michael R. Turner, Dr. Joy Kinard, Superintendent of Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, and other area community leaders. A reception will follow the program. Visit the Trailblazers page at go.nps.gov/Trailblazers to read each Trailblazer Award Recipient's bio.

This program is part of an ongoing series of public programs offered at Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument to promote public understanding of history and special places that have been included in the national park system. For further information, call [phone].

Charles Young was a soldier, diplomat, and civil rights leader. His work ethic, academic leadership, and devotion to duty provided a strong base for his achievements in the face of racism and oppression. His long and distinguished career as a commissioned officer in the United States Army made him a popular figure of his time and a role model for generations of new leaders.

As the NPS celebrates its second century of service, special recognition is given to Colonel Charles Young, the first African American Superintendent in the National Park Service. Colonel Young and his Buffalo Soldiers troopers served at Sequoia National Park in 1903. Their work aided in the development of that park and over 50 other National Park units.