Members of the Underground Railroad Society, Coalition for a Better Life, dba Peace in the Hood and other community organizations marched outside of the Rotunda of Cleveland City Hall to see the African-American flag raised over Cleveland City Hall. This was the 40th annual Black History Month Flag Raising Ceremony at Cleveland City Hall.
Back inside, community leaders hung the red, green and black flag.
Ruth Standiford and Lucille Short staffed the registration table.
 Ruth Standiford and Lucille Short
Afi-Nur, Anita Rose Banks and Steven E. Boyd of the Hue People sang Lift Every Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson. The song is often called the Black National Anthem.
Afi-Nur, Anita Rose Banks and Steven E. Boyd of the Hue People
The Hue People also performed an African song.
A variety of community leaders spoke to the crowd. Khalid A. Samad from Coalition for a Better Life, dba Peace in the Hood told of the many nations using the Red, Black and Green of the African flag.
Amir Khalid A. Samad
Dr. Eugene Jordan sang a few lines of Oh Freedom and then told the history of the Black History celebration in Cleveland from Harlel Jones to Mayor Carl B. Stokes to Omar Ali Bey to Khalid Samad.
Dr. Eugene Jordan
Dr. Jordan also told the story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.
Other speakers included Afi-Nur, Abdul Qahhar, Akil Hashim, and others.
Afi-Nur
Abdul Qahhar
Amir Khalid A. Samad
African-American Garden crew
The next generation
On the stage
Steven Boyd with unknown and Charles Ali
Unknown, Abdul Qahhar, Eugene Jordan, Jalid Samad and Akil Hashim
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