Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Illustration: Airman 1st Class Erik Cardenas Celebrate African-American Heritage month events in February at Cannon. There will be a Step-Off dance Feb. 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hangar 125, On Feb. 26 there will be a Retreat Ceremony and on Feb. 27 the base chapel will host a Gospel Fest.
The 27th Special Operations Maintenance Support Group is taking the lead to celebrate African-American Heritage Month. The national theme for this year is “Economic Empowerment,” which celebrates the centennial of the National Urban League by exploring racial uplift and African-American economic development in the twentieth century.
African-American Heritage Month honors the past and present achievements and contributions of Black Americans who enhanced the nation’s quality of life. More than 60 years ago, on July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981 that desegregated the military and open the door for the civil rights movement.
The highlight of the month will be the base’s first AAHM “Step-Off” and barbecue on Feb 25 at Hangar 125 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dress is casual or uniform of the day and for $5 airmen can enjoy a barbecue that includes brisket, pulled pork and side orders.
A “Step-Off” competition also will be held with more than 30 Step Dancers from fraternities Texas Tech and Cannon competing. “Stepping” is an expressive form of dance that was created by African-American fraternities in the 70s. Most historians agree that the Phi Beta Sigma and Omega Psi fraternities introduced the dance to America.
