Gov. Wes Moore on Tuesday declared September 2024 as African Heritage Month in Maryland, celebrating the contributions of African immigrants in the state today and honoring the work of enslaved people in the past.

Moore said it was important to acknowledge that Maryland’s state house was built by enslaved people “whose stories oftentimes are not known, whose portraits are not emblazoned and frankly whose sacrifices have not always been celebrated.”

“I can tell you today, they’re not only celebrated, they’ve been appreciated,” Moore said.

He also celebrated the contributions of African Marylanders today, who work constantly to make the state “everything that it can be, even if this was not the place of origin for them.”

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Maryland has the fourth-highest number of Black immigrants in the U.S., according to the American Immigration Council. The governor’s office said 10% of Marylanders are African-born and that nearly 20% of all immigrants in Maryland are from Africa.

Chukwunonso “Vincent” Iweanoge, chair of the Governor’s Commission on African Affairs, praised Moore for his commitment to the African community in Maryland and said he was an example of a true leader, not someone who is just a politician.

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“Politicians are the ones that work for the next election and do the things that are not controversial,” Iweanoge said. “But the leaders are the ones that do the things that are necessary even if its not going to get them elected.”

The governor said this proclamation marked the “inaugural” year for African Heritage Month in the state.

Gov. Wes Moore (left) stands with Chukwunonso “Vincent” Iweanoge, chair of the Governor's Commission on African Affairs, as they proclaim September as African Heritage Month during a news conference inside the Maryland State House on September 10, 2024.
Gov. Wes Moore (left) stands with Chukwunonso “Vincent” Iweanoge, chair of the Governor's Commission on African Affairs, as they proclaim September as African Heritage Month during a news conference inside the Maryland State House on September 10, 2024. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Banner)

“In our state, we don’t shy away from our diversity — we embrace it, and we will continue to celebrate African Heritage Month with pride for generations to come,” Moore said.

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The Governor’s Commission on African Affairs is an advisory group to the governor and other executive agencies in the state.

It is sponsoring and boosting several events around the state in September in celebration and observance of African heritage and African immigrant heritage, including Panafest in Silver Spring and the Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival in Annapolis.