Correspondent photo / Sean Barron.... Senior dancers and singers who are part of the Youngstown Harambee Dancers Organization display plenty of color while performing African dances as part of the annual African Marketplace on Saturday at Youngstown State University. The event kicked off Black History Month.

YOUNGSTOWN — Carolyn Wallace is adamant that opportunities to learn black history need to be ongoing, not merely boxed in the confines of a 28-day space.

“Regardless of what black history exists, it’s 365/24/7,” Wallace, of Akron, said, referring to how often she feels the history should be recognized and celebrated.

Suffice it to say Wallace was doing her part to promote a piece of that existence via selling a variety of soaps, flags, bracelets, purses, T-shirts, tote bags and other items that attest to that history. That’s because she was among the vendors who set up shop for Saturday’s annual African Marketplace in Youngstown State University’s Chestnut Room.

The gathering kicked off this area’s Black History Month events.

Wallace and her friend Dwayne Muhammad, who assisted her, were selling several tote bags, one of which honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and another that contained a list of major black inventors.

Among the 19th century names on the tote bag were Alexander Miles, who invented the elevator; Thomas Marshall, the inventor of the fire extinguisher; and Thomas A. Carrington, who invented the stethoscope. Key 20th century black inventors whose names were emblazoned on the bag were Garrett Morgan, Charles Drew and Frederick M. Jones, inventors of the traffic light, blood plasma bag and air-conditioning unit, respectively.

Wallace also was forceful in saying that, despite some political efforts to ban certain books or sanitize American history, “black people should celebrate year-round. We’re not going to disappear.”

Another vendor who did her part to ensure part of black history was abundantly apparent and noticeable was Bette J. Clifford, 82, who, along with her partner, Hardy Carey Sr., had four tables of merchandise next to the Chestnut Room’s entrance that included handmade masks from western African countries such as Ghana, Cameroon and the Ivory Coast. Many of the antiques, figurines and other collectibles they were selling Saturday came from friends who later became regular customers, said Clifford, who runs a longtime Massillon-based business called Bee Jay’s B.A.G.

The latter part of the business’s title is in recognition of Barbara Ann Green, Clifford’s sister, who helped her for several years with the business. Specifically, Green hand-painted much of the clothing, as well as many dolls and other items they sold, Clifford said.

Of course, no African Marketplace gathering aimed at recognizing and honoring black history would be complete without the entertainment portion. That’s where the Harambee Dancers of Youngstown Organization came in.

“I’m very athletic; I’m a quick learner and I’m flexible,” En-Dia Connor, 16, of Youngstown, said.

En-Dia’s flexibility and athleticism received a fair workout, because she was among the Harambee members who performed a series of mostly western African dances, to the delight of attendees. En-Dia, who is home-schooled, has been with the organization about eight years, and also is a member of Inspiring Minds’ Youngstown chapter, a 9-year-old organization with about 80 students on its roster. IM operates under five impact pillars: health and wellness, education, college and career readiness, exposure to new experiences and personal development.

En-Dia added that she hopes more teens will join IM, and that word about Harambee’s offerings will continue to spread.

Also part of Saturday’s dance and solo performances were the Harambee drummers.

Lynette Miller, Harambee of Youngstown’s coordinator, said the organization was established around 1980 and accepts members ages 8 to 18, but is open also to some who are younger. An estimated 200 young people are in Harambee, she noted, adding that its staff is composed of volunteers and family members.

In addition, those in Harambee share the desire to spread the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith), Miller said.

“If all people live by them, we would be a much better people and a much better nation,” she added.

Other merchandise for sale included containers of shea butter, jewelry, necklaces, hair covers and pieces, and racks of colorful clothing.

Also part of Saturday’s African Marketplace was Mercy Health, which provided resources on support programs for new mothers and fathers, care for pregnant women, safe sleep techniques for babies and dental services, including the mobile dental van.