The H.L. Neblett Community Center is partnering with the Owensboro Black Expo and the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance for a series of events for Black History Month. Saturday will be the kickoff off with a parade making a big loop through east and west downtown Owensboro.
The community is invited to participate in the parade by decorating their vehicles, to attend a few other events, and to follow along on social media throughout the month to learn how African American history has impacted people of all races.
For the parade, event organizers are asking everyone to stay in their vehicles and practice social distancing, or for those who leave their vehicle to wear a face mask.
The caravan will begin lining up at 11:30 a.m. at the H.L. Neblett Community Center. The Owensboro Police Department will escort the parade beginning at 12 p.m.
The parade route is as follows:
- Begin at 5th and Elm streets
- West on 5th to Hocker Street
- South on Hocker to 10th Street
- West on 10th to Omega Street
- South on Omega to McFarland Avenue
- East on McFarland, proceed east across Crabtree Avenue to West 9th Street
- East on 9th to Jackson Street
- North on Jackson to 8th Street
- West on 8th to Center Street
- North on Center Street to 5th and Elm
The Neblett Center also has a pair of events scheduled to close out Black History Month.
On Feb. 27, there will be a free sack lunch giveaway at 12 p.m. at the corner of 5th and Poplar streets.
On Feb. 28, there will be a drive-in event at the Owensboro Sportscenter where attendees can tune in to a specific radio station to hear a guest speaker and music.
The Neblett Center is also hosting other programs and events throughout February.
All month long, scholars at the Western Academy are submitting Black History Facts videos to be shared daily on Facebook. They are presenting facts of African American men who have made contributions to this country and the world.
The Neblett Center is also doing “lunch and learns” via Zoom. They will hold a retirement workshop at 6:15 p.m. on Feb. 18 and a homebuyer empowerment panel at 6:15 on Feb. 25, both via Zoom.
“We’re just trying to keep it moving, letting folks know we’re still here,” said Olga McKissic, Neblett Center Executive Director. “Even though you can’t come to the building, we’ll come to you.”
To see what all programs are available through the Neblett Center or for more information, visit hlneblett.org.
