Correspondent photos / John Patrick Gatta
Kenny Boone, site instructor at Inspiring Minds Youngstown, points out the washing area to IM student Ke’ira McQueen in the replica of a steelworkers locker room during Thursday’s Black History Month program at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor, also known as the Steel Museum. Boone worked at Hynes Industries in the 1990s and was able to provide his own recollections of working in the area’s steel mills.

YOUNGSTOWN — It was an evening to celebrate past generations and educate the current one.

The Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor (also known as the Steel Museum) on Thursday hosted “Youngstown’s Black History 2025: Present, Past, and Future” and revived a cultural tradition that offered accounts on the contributions of African-Americans to the area, as well as inspired the next generation to be supporters of its future. It was one of many Black History Month events that took place in the Valley throughout February.

“Events like this were once a regular occurrence in Youngstown’s black community,” said event coordinator Tracey Winbush. “These gatherings provided a social environment where like-minded individuals could exchange ideas, build partnerships and create solutions for economic and social advancement. They were essential spaces for networking, advocacy and progress.”

Besides absorbing detailed descriptions of the steel industry and its effect on the Mahoning Valley, attendees were greeted in the lobby by 10 artifacts from the Africana Studies Collection. Leah Sydney, who is completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts this semester at Youngstown State University, curated the display and included two of her hand-sculpted pieces as a “tribute to cultural excellence.”

A Business & Community Showcase highlighted African American entrepreneurs, professionals and creatives.

After walking through the museum’s two floors and hearing the live sounds of the Tony Ward Trio, everyone gathered in the Senator Harry Meshel Classroom for refreshments and food.

“This 2025 event aims to bring people together in a common space to celebrate achievements, foster new opportunities and ensure that black history remains an active and engaging part of the community’s consciousness,” Winbush said.

Proceeds from Black History 2025 benefited Inspiring Minds Youngstown, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering underserved youth through education, mentorship and career exposure.

“Inspiring Minds has a long-standing commitment to empowering underrepresented youth through education, exposure to career opportunities, and personal development. Their mission aligns perfectly with the goals of this event — to honor the past while investing in the future,” Winbush said.

“By directing proceeds to Inspiring Minds, we ensure that young people in Youngstown gain access to resources and experiences that will help them build upon the legacy of African American contributions to industry, business and labor.”

Jonathan Cambouris, administrator of the Steel Museum, explained to students how steel’s history affected their lives.

“Our ancestors have experienced sweat equity 10 times what we will ever experience because of the way that the industrial process has transformed what labor looks like (now). This life that we’re walking through is blessed. We’re profiting off of our ancestors’ labor. We owe homage to the past.”

Site Instructor for IM Youngstown Kenny Boone gave personal recollections to students because of his previous work at Hynes Industries in the 1990s.

“It’s always good to come and see something like this and reminisce on some of the hard work a lot of people have done prior to the way the city is now. This city was built on steel and it’s a reminder of what those years looked like, and allows the kids to see how their community was built.”

Connecting the desire for Youngstown’s Black History 2025 and other events to maintain a lasting impact with the students, Tammye Hardin, program coordinator of IM Youngstown, said, “During Black History Month, we try to expose the kids to the past, play off of what’s going on today.”

She mentioned the Black Recall event that happened Wednesday. It featured local African American professionals, including City Law Director Laurie Shells Simmons and entrepreneurs Vern Richberg and Stacey Grant, who discussed their experiences in order to inspire the IM students.

“We’re just trying to expose (the students) to different things.”

Hardin appreciated the donations because they will allow Inspiring Minds to “continue to progress with the kids so they can learn to become producers in the community and give back in different ways.”

She continued, “That’s why you see a lot of our young people down here today. This is not only an event for them, but it’s also a tour for them because they’ve never been down here. They’re able to see different things, and they’re excited about some of the things that they’re seeing here.

“It’s very important that we just keep it moving. Show them a little bit of the past so they can move forward. And when moving into the future, they know what they need to do. They learn from it and do better, and give back to their community.”