Black Leaders Join President Trump for Black History Month Celebration at the White House

By Sebastian Ridley-Thomas, Capitol Correspondent, PACE NEWS

Washington, D.C. — On Thursday at the White House, President Donald J. Trump rolled out the red carpet to host an    illustrious group of leaders for the celebration of Black History Month. The event was a remarkable occasion, marking February 20 as the one-month anniversary of President Trump taking the helm of the American ship. Alongside his incredible team, which includes billionaire Elon Musk, President Trump has navigated some turbulent political waters, particularly in his battle with the Democratic Party over the removal of federal funding for DEI and CRT programs. The President hosted the event in the elegant East Room, where he was joined by a range of influential figures.

Among the distinguished guests were PACE NEWS columnist Judge Joe Brown, sports legend Tiger Woods, criminal justice reform advocate Alice Johnson, economic development expert Michael “Harry-O” Harris, Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Minority Affairs Lynn Patton, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner, Senior Counsel for the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice Leo Terrell, U.S. Senator Tim Scott, Representative John James of Michigan, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, NFL great Jim Brown’s daughter and women’s sports activist Kimberly B. Brown, NewsMax personality David J. Harris Jr., businessman Shermichael Singleton, media leader Sage Steele, bodybuilder and seven-time Olympia  champion Phil Heath, minister and political leader Rev. Dr. Alveda King, investor Byran Rand, and several hundred civilly engaged Black Americans from across the country.

Together, they came to the White House to stand with the President on his journey to “Make America Great Again” for all Americans. During the event, President Trump acknowledged the significant contributions Black Americans have made in shaping the nation. He took the opportunity to announce that legendary figures such as Kobe Bryant,   Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Robinson, and Frederick Douglass would be among 250 luminaries honored in the newly announced “National Garden of American Heroes.” Statues of these figures, created by notable American sculptors, will be   unveiled as part of the celebration for the nation’s 250th anniversary in July 2026. Additionally, President Trump revealed that Alice Johnson would be appointed Assistant to the President for Criminal Justice Reform and Pardon Czar. In this role, she will work to identify unjust federal prosecutions and recommend worthy cases for executive clemency. While critics of the President often claim that he doesn’t prioritize Black Americans, the atmosphere at the White House on Thursday painted a different picture. President Trump  engaged with a diverse and accomplished group of Black Americans, representing a wide range of professions and backgrounds. These  individuals were selected for their influence and leadership in various fields. The President highlighted the significance of Black American support during his election campaign, noting that he won nearly 40% of Black American men and the largest raw number of Black American voters in history — both record highs for a Republican candidate.

Senior Counsel Leo Terrell addressed the audience, stating, “Democrats took Black Americans for granted. We want the same things as any other Americans: good jobs, closed borders, and low taxes. President Trump didn’t take us for granted, and he is delivering on our needs and concerns every day.”  President Trump said that in his first term there was some public shyness among the Black community and its leaders in supporting him. During his speech, he mentioned an earlier Black History Month celebration in the White House that was sparsely attended while noting  the standing room only crowd on Thursday was a reflection of the groundswell of support he felt during the campaign. The President also recalled  his deep knowledge of Black  History as American History. He acknowledged the contributions of Black Americans in the building of this country despite the origin point of slavery. The President noted that the long-promised hope of freedom for Black Americans was delayed but that they have nonetheless risen to greatness over the centuries. In his remarks, President Trump highlighted the early sacrifice of Minutemen Private Prince Estabrook, the first documented person of African descent to be wounded in battle for America’s independence. Despite being enslaved, Private Estabrook fought in the Battles of Lexington and Concord, continued to serve in various capacities in the Continental Army, received his freedom during his military service, retired with honors, and lived to the age of 90.

His likeness will also be included in the National Garden of American Heroes. President Trump expressed his belief that Black American opportunity is entering a “Golden Age,” as a renaissance of civic engagement, business activity, and exceptionalism sweeps across the nation.