Honoring Black History Month: A Look Back at Stories That Shaped Our Community
By: The Kokomo Post Staff
Here at The Kokomo Post, we’re celebrating Black History Month by shining a spotlight on some of the incredible leaders who have shaped our community and beyond. History is more than just dates and names. It’s a living, breathing story of resilience, leadership, and progress.
Over the past few years, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting, listening to, and learning from some of Kokomo’s most influential voices. Through interviews, partnerships, and storytelling, we’ve been able to better understand why Black History Month matters not just nationally, but right here at home. This blog serves as a resource to revisit that meaningful content and continue the conversations that help educate, inspire, and connect our community.
Below, we’ve rounded up our past Black History Month features, organized by category, so you can easily explore, learn, and share.
Celebrating Black History Through Books & Education
One of the most powerful ways to honor Black history is through education and books are a great place to start. We had the privilege of connecting with Miss Indy Juneteenth, Corinth Oglesby, a dedicated community servant who brings a wealth of knowledge about Black history to Kokomo and beyond. Corinth shared her top book recommendations for adults, each offering a unique perspective on African American history, from local stories rooted in Howard County to national narratives that shaped the country.
Her recommendations included:
African American History by William Hall, a localized look at African American history in Howard County
African Founders by David Hackett Fischer, highlighting the influence of African Americans in early America
African American Poetry, 250 Years of Struggle and Song, a powerful collection of poetry and expression
Black Firsts by Jessie Carney Smith, documenting thousands of Black pioneers across industries
Black American Biographies, edited by Jeff Wallen Feldt, showcasing influential Black Americans who shaped history
This feature offered a meaningful starting point for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Black history through literature.
➡️ Click here for the full blog and complete book list.
Local Black History: Stories That Shaped Kokomo & Indiana
Understanding Black history means understanding the people who helped build and shape our own community. In this powerful series, we partnered with Gil Porter, Howard County historian, to uncover and share stories that deserve to be remembered.
Gil, an IU Kokomo graduate, U.S. Navy veteran, and longtime communicator guided us through the lives of several remarkable individuals whose legacies continue to impact Kokomo and Indiana:
The Bassett Family: Faith leaders and pioneers whose influence reached from the Bassett Settlement to the Indiana General Assembly
Richard A. Brown: Kokomo’s first Black high school graduate, successful businessman, and barrier-breaking educator
Joseph & Martha Cunningham: Siblings who became the first Black students at Manchester College, leaving a lasting legacy in higher education
Aliff Henley: The first recorded African American landowner in Howard County and founder of the Rush Settlement
Rev. Henry A. Perry: A transformational leader in faith, education, and community development in Kokomo
These stories remind us that Black history is deeply woven into the foundation of our city.
➡️ Click here to explore the full series and learn more about each individual.
Ways to Actively Support & Celebrate Black History Month
Black History Month isn’t just about reflection, it’s also about action. We were honored to host JC Barnett, a local artist, coach, and Kokomo advocate, who shared five impactful ways individuals can actively support and celebrate Black History Month.
JC encouraged our community to:
Support Black-owned businesses
Read books by Black authors
Watch Black documentaries and films
Buy and seek out Black art
Become a mentor, especially for Black youth
This feature emphasized that meaningful support doesn’t stop when February ends, it’s something we can practice year-round.
➡️ Click here for the full list and deeper insights from JC Barnett.
Community Conversations: Voices, Impact & Leadership
Last year, we continued our Black History Month coverage with another impactful series featuring JC Barnett. In this series, JC sat down with influential leaders in our community to discuss their personal journeys, professional impact, and the importance of sharing Black stories and experiences in Kokomo.
The featured conversations include:
Dara Bishop, Director of Financial Aid at Indiana University Kokomo, who shared insights on education, access, and supporting student success
Gil Porter, Howard County historian, who discussed the importance of preserving and telling local Black history
Pastor A. Wendell Brown, of Refreshing Springs Church of God in Christ and CEO of Hart to Heart, who spoke on faith, leadership, and community service
This series highlights how leadership shows up in many forms through education, history, faith, and service and how these individuals continue to make a lasting impact in our community.
These candid conversations offer powerful perspectives on leadership, resilience, and what it means to make a difference right here in Kokomo.
➡️ Watch the clips and listen to the full podcast below.
Video one: Celebrating Black History Month
Video two: The Carver Community Center Impact
Video three: Community Connections
Video four: Stories of Impact
Video five: Religious Influence
Full podcast: Community, Impact & More
Honoring the Past. Amplifying the Present. Inspiring the Future.
As we reflect on these stories, we’re reminded that Black history is not just something we look back on, it’s something that continues to shape our community today. We’re grateful to everyone who has trusted us with their stories and helped us amplify voices that matter.
We encourage you to explore these features, share them with others, and continue learning, not just this month, but all year long.
Who are some individuals or stories from Kokomo’s Black history that have inspired you? Let us know in the comments below.
