New Mexico House celebrates African American Day and honors ten community leaders

The New Mexico House paused legislative business on Feb. 13 to observe African American Day, recognizing the contributions and leadership of Black New Mexicans and presenting a governor’s proclamation honoring women of color who have attained historic firsts in their communities.

Representative Herndon (gentle lady from Bernalillo) convened the ceremonial observance and introduced a group of 10 honorees — described by the speaker as a "talented tenth" — including Neema Pickett (city liaison for black community engagement, Albuquerque), Kimberly York (Black Education Act manager, New Mexico Public Education Department), Catherine McGill (founder, New Mexico Black Leadership Council), Danielle Kerbing (executive director, New Mexico Martin Luther King Jr. Commission), Carla Kazi (president/CEO, Black Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico), Judge Carlos Johnson (Carlsbad municipal court), Judge Shamara Henderson (New Mexico appellate bench), Dr. Margaret Warrigia Bowman (Albuquerque Public Schools board member and UNM law professor), Councilwoman Nicole Rogers (Albuquerque), and Mayor Sharon McDonald (Alamogordo).

Representative Janelle Anyanoru delivered a keynote-style opening that thanked attendees and traced African American contributions to New Mexico and the nation. "On this day, we honor the resilience, brilliance, and strength of the African American community," she said, framing the observance as both celebration and a call to legislative action on disparities in health, education and justice.

The program included a musical performance of a civil‑rights era song by Marsha K. Hardeman and an invocation by Reverend William Cormac Jr. The House then returned to legislative business; members noted the ceremony as a highlight of the session and welcomed guests from across the state.

Practical note: the ceremonial observance did not involve formal legislative action; it was a recognition and public program conducted on the House floor.