City of Perry honors local trailblazers with Black History Month banners 

PERRY — If you have taken a stroll through the streets of downtown Perry, you may have seen banners representing the Black community. For the past four years, the City of Perry has displayed these banners every February for Black History Month. 

Special Events Administrator Autumn Cameron said the Black History Month Banner Campaign is all about connection. 

“We want residents and visitors to see the banners throughout downtown and feel a sense of pride, reflection and appreciation for the local African Americans who were leaders or service-members who had lasting contributions to the city,” she said. 

Displayed on these banners are people who either work for the city, own a business within the city or have had a lasting impact on Perry. Cameron said some are also Perry athletes who have gone pro. 

Some individuals featured on these banners include the campaign’s pioneer and former city councilwoman Phyllis Bynum-Grace, the first Black woman elected to the Perry City Council, and Hervia Ingram Sr., the first Black person elected to the city council. 

“Recognizing local history makes it personal for the residents of Perry, and it kind of generates conversation for visitors,” she said. “We want visitors to know that Perry is an inclusive community. It turns the streets into a living tribute, reminding us that Black History isn’t just a month, it’s about the people that are tied to it.” 

One of the city’s goals for this campaign, Cameron mentioned, is to inspire future generations by honoring local history and ensuring those who shaped it are not forgotten. 

Here’s a look at some of the City of Perry’s Black History Month Banners.

Photos by Sandra Hernandez/HHJ