KENTUCKY — Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month, is celebrated each February. It is a federally recognized time to reflect on the significant roles that Black Americans played in shaping United States history.
State Representative Derrick Graham (D-Frankfort) is the Minority Floor Leader of the Kentucky House Democrats caucus.
During this In Focus Kentucky segment, Leader Graham talks about his history-making election, as the first Black legislator to lead a legislative caucus in the Kentucky General Assembly. Graham follows Rep. Joni Jenkins in the position, as she was the first-ever woman in the position.
"It's a humbling experience. But you know, one of my former students the other day said, you were the first of many. I was the first African-American elected here in Franklin County in Frankfort to the City Commission. And I was Mayor Pro-Tem, during those nine years that I was here, the first African American to be chairman of a major committee in the Education Committee, and the first to to really be over the budget for K through 12. That was my job as Chairman of K through 12 Subcommittee on education. So it's a humbling experience. I've been blessed," explains Rep. Graham.
You can watch the full In Focus Kentucky segment in the player above.