The city of Salisbury and the Fenix Youth Project have launched a collaborative online program in celebration of Black History Month.

Fenix Youth Project,  in partnership with the Lynching Memorial Task Force and Wicomico County public school students, will work jointly with the city to produce a virtual Black History Month project focusing on three key themes: Learn. Heal. Empower.

Video blogs, music, news, resources and more can be found at salisbury.md/blackhistorymonth.

“I am extremely excited to see history be uncovered and taught by our young people from their own perspective,” said Amber Green, Executive Director of Fenix Youth Project.

“Uplifting history is one pathway to creating a sense of community ownership within our young people,” Green said. 

• Learn. Visitors to the webpage can watch weekly video blogs created by five Wicomico County public school students. Each week they will do research and film their findings about individuals featured on the Church Street Mural. The mural designed by local artist Paul “Sketch” Boyd was unveiled in October 2019 and recognizes five prominent citizens from the Salisbury’s Black community — Sgt. William Butler, Charles Chipman, Elaine Brown, James Stewart and Dr. G. Herbert Sembly.

In addition to the weekly video blogs (vlogs), visitors to the webpage may listen to free podcasts and watch documentaries centered around Black history.

• Heal. Easy to locate resources and information from the Wicomico Truth and Reconciliation Initiative, Equal Justice Initiative, and Salisbury Lynching Memorial Task Force will be available on Salisbury’s Black History Month webpage, as well as links to mental health tools and information provided by “Therapy for Black Girls” and “Therapy for Black Men,” online spaces dedicated to encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls and breaking the stigma that asking for help is a sign of weakness for Black men.

• Empower. Each week, the city of Salisbury will highlight a Black-owned business on the Black History Month webpage through social media. In addition, a list of black-owned businesses, services, and entrepreneurs in the area will be available so that consumers may use the power of their wallet to support and empower our local Black community.

“We encourage members of the public to engage with our website, and participate as we all make a commitment to learn more about black history, heal from acts of injustice, and empower the black community this February, and every month of the year,” said City Administrator Julia Glanz.

All are encouraged to visit the webpage salisbury.md/blackhistorymonth each week for new and engaging opportunities to celebrate Black History Month.

The Fenix Youth Project is a nonprofit organization based in Salisbury that encourages community involvement and personal development in youth through creative arts. Whether dance, music, poetry, or photography, these creative tools serve as ways to impact social change.

FYP is making an effort to divert youth from destructive choices and provide an alternative way to have fun, serve their community and express themselves. The website is fenixyouthproject.org.