The White House will host more than two dozen descendants of civil rights icons and historical figures as they commemorate Black History Month, the White House exclusively confirmed with theGrio.
The Biden-Harris administration, on Tuesday afternoon, will welcome the descendants for a reception where they will engage with White House officials, members of Congress, and each other. The convening also comes amid efforts to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and diminish the importance of Black history.
Invited guests include the descendants and families of Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Emmett Till, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Ida B. Wells, Dred Scott, Homer Adolph Plessy, Sally Hemings, Oliver Leon Brown, Rodney King, and George Floyd.
It will be the first time these descendants and families of civil rights leaders and historical figures will gather at the White House to discuss existing civil rights issues in America. The guests will be welcomed by Stephen Benjamin, the director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, who will deliver remarks on behalf of the Biden-Harris administration. U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., will also be in attendance and give remarks.
“Today’s historic convening serves as a reminder that Black History is a living chronicle with new chapters added daily,” said Director Benjamin. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, this administration honors the legacy of these changemakers and their families not just in words, but by working to realize the vision of America that they fought and died striving to achieve.”
The senior Biden advisor added, “This White House is proud to contribute to the story of progress for Black Americans by delivering record low unemployment, advancing…
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