Page 6 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, FEbRuARy 20, 2026 Former City Councillor Al Lattanzi, former Mayor and City Councilor John Hanlon, and City Councillor Holly Garcia participating in the service. BLACK HISTORY MONTH | FROM PAGE 1 tion, 757 Broadway, since the 1990s. Black History Month started in 1970 and was an expansion of Negro History Week, which started in 1926. Executive Pastor Bishop Regina Shearer said Black History Month is about “…achievements of African Americans in this country, but it’s not just black history we also celebrate. It’s this nation’s history we celebrate. This nation is better when we celebrate each other.” “It’s recognition of Black History Month as well as people being able to see ourselves,” Simone Holyfield of the Everett Historical Commission added. “We have a population of African Americans who are descendants of slaves, myself included. Sharing stories of our history is part of healing. We’re sharing our culture and practicing understanding and togetherness.” However, Guest Preacher Reverend Jeffrey Brown, Associate Pastor of the Twelfth Baptist Church in Boston’s Roxbury area, sounded a cautious note. Citing the elimination of exhibits about black history in some museums and likening the political situation in the country to him walking along dark country roads in North Carolina as a boy, he said, “We are in dark times, and it gets even darker as they try to erase our history. We have seen a steady erosion of the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. People are saying to us we’ve had enough time to advance. We need to find something to hold onto. I’d rather live in a country where I can see all the flaws stacked up with all the good things.” The Twelfth Baptist Church is also noted as being a place where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke. In introducing Jeffrey Brown, Shearer cited his participation in the Boston Miracle program and Boston TenPoint Coalition to reduce youth violence in the 2010s that reduced youth crime 79%. “He’s a legacy-leaving leader,” she said. “He’s not only made history, but he’s making history as a faith leader.” “We are in troubled times,” Robert Brown agreed in remarks following Jeffrey Brown’s. “So many things are going on that’s causing concern. There’s a lot on the news that’s disturbing. We see things we consider unrighteous. What can we do to make a difference? Wrong is always wrong but love will overshadow hate. We need to be cognizant of our surroundings and reach out to people. We must not become BLACK HISTORY MONTH | SEE PAGE 7 The Zion Praise team performed gospel songs throughout the service. Pictured from left: Kristin Leonard, Mayor’s Office Executive Manager; Simone Holyfield, DEI Officer; Chris Connolly, Special Assistant to the Mayor; Holly Garcia, City Councillor. Special guest Rev. Jeffrey Brown, associate pastor of the Twelfth Baptist Church in Boston speaking to attendees. Bishop Regina Shearer speaking to attendees. Bishop Robert G. Brown speaking to attendees.
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