A few members of our African American Resource Network
Black History Month not only celebrates the history of Black leaders but also how they helped move America and the YMCA forward. At the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, we honor the month in many ways. You are invited to the Black History Month Celebration on Saturday, February 24, 2024, from noon to 2 pm at the Spurlino Family YMCA at Big Bend Road. The free community event will feature Black-owned food trucks and Black-owned vendors.
There will be games and music. The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections office will also be on hand for voter registration.
On February 10, The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA’s African American Resource Network (AARN) participated in the UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Tampa Bay Walk for Education. The event helped the UNCF raise funds to support students. UNCF is the nation’s largest private scholarship provider to minority group members.
Dacia Oglesby is the Tampa Y’s Director of Quality Assurance and Risk Management. She co-chairs our AARN, one of the original Employee Resource Groups launched at the Tampa Y in October 2020.
“AARN is one of six Y-USA-recognized Employee Resource Groups that aim to advance our diversity, inclusion, and global initiatives by providing targeted support to underrepresented communities. It was organized to provide leadership development of African Americans in the YMCA movement, specifically for career and personal development, networking, training and mentoring.”
On February 27, the AARN will also host a Podcast Listening Lunch and Learn at the Campo Family YMCA from noon to 1 pm. Participants will listen to and discuss the Ladies' First episode on how women influenced Hip Hop in honor of Black HERStory Month. It features stories from fellow pioneers, special guests and others who will rehash the moments and events that shaped Hip Hop forever.
Published Monday, Feb. 12, 2024.