UTICA — Join the Utica/Oneida County Branch NAACP to celebrate Black History Month 2023 with its annual program hosted by History Center, 1608 Genesee St., at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4. The proram is free and open to all.

The program will follow the 2023 national theme, Black Resistance, which explores the fight for justice against discrimination, bodily autonomy, and self-determination in American society. The program features presentations by History Center Living Legend award winner Robbie Dancy and NAACP Poet Laureate Tinashe Manguwa, and performances by the Metrolites and Utica Royalties with Hawa Peters.

It also includes student presentations on Black History Moments from the Utica College Young Scholars, Mohawk Valley Junior Frontiers, and Rebuilding the Village. Members of the NAACP will also share information about their organization and community announcements.

The program will also be available virtually via Zoom; those wishing to attend virtually can register at https://www.oneidacountyhistory.org/programs.html. Registrants will receive a link and instructions on how to join this online event.

For more information on the national theme, visit https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/

The Utica/Oneida County Branch NAACP is a civil rights advocacy organization, and its purpose is to improve the political, educational, social, and economic status of minority groups; to eliminate racial prejudice; to keep the public aware of the adverse effects of racial discrimination; and to take lawful action to secure its elimination.