HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL NR 2020-02-11 Black History Month Proclamation
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
February 12, 2020
Media Contact:
Leah Kosin, Assistant Public Information Officer
lkosin@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2781
Black History Month Proclamation Presented at Town Council
Meeting
Leesburg, VA (February 12, 2020) – On Tuesday, February 11, 2020, the Leesburg Town Council
presented a proclamation in honor of Black History Month, which is nationally recognized
during the entire month of February.
The proclamation recognizes the contributions made to preserve and remember the
accomplishments of all African Americans throughout the history of our nation, state, county, and
town.
The recipients accepting the proclamation included:
Tanja Thompson, leader and organizer of the Loudoun County Community discussions on the
Lynching Memorial Project, sponsored by the Equal Justice Institute, at the Douglass Community
Center in Leesburg on March 16, 2019. The event brought together community leaders and
residents to share their views on three lynchings that took place in Leesburg, VA in the early 20th
century and how the community might acknowledge and commemorate the victims.
Donna Bohanon, Chair of the Black History Committee for the Friends of The Thomas Balch Library
in Leesburg. Bohanon is active in several community organizations engaged in functions such as
history programs, African American centered educational history tours, celebrations, and
recognitions of local African American leaders.
Raymond H. Delpesche, current Post Commander of VFW Post 1177 in Leesburg. Delpesche has
served his country and community as a member of the United States Navy and was the first
American of African descent to hold the position of Post Commander for VFW Post 1177. He
continues to distinguish himself through active leadership in many civic and patriotic organizations.
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