Members of the Erie County Democratic Party's Black Caucus met at the New Life and Spirit Revival Center to discuss an upcoming event celebrating Black history here in Erie.

Andre Horton currently serves as Erie County Councilman in Erie's second district and has done so since 2014.

He is also the first person of color to hold an elected Erie County office since the incorporation of the county in 1803 and believes representation for all is crucial for the county's success.

"It is important we have representation not just as an African American man but across all spectrums regardless of one's social status, your ability to serve should not be determined by your zip code nor should your ability to succeed in life," Horton said.

Zakaria Sharif came to Erie as a refugee from Somalia and first learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he attended school here in Erie.

Sharif said he wants the teachings of King and other Black history leaders to continue to be passed down to the younger generation.

"We have a lot of youth that do not know their history and having this center is really important for our community and for people to come and just see things that they may have not learned in school," Sharif said.

As much as the event will showcase and honor Black history in our area, former Erie City Councilman, Michael Keys, said we are living through history as we speak and some of our local Black and Brown elected officials are examples of that.

"People may not know their history but the people who have served and are serving are literally part of our Black history and they are here and we are happy that we can take advantage of having them in our community," Keys said.