For Immediate Release: Thursday, January 24, 2019
From the Office of Councilmember Jawando
ROCKVILLE, Md., Jan. 24, 2019 -- Councilmember Will Jawando will donate the Agbada he wore during the inauguration ceremony for the 19th Montgomery County Council to Montgomery History, the county’s historic society. The Agbada is a traditional Nigerian garment that Councilmember Jawando wore to honor his recently deceased father, who emigrated to the United States from Nigeria, and to highlight his roots as a first-generation African American.
“To walk onto the inauguration stage in a full Agbada was both exciting and humbling,” said Councilmember Jawando. “Wearing a traditional Agbada allowed me to honor my father and my Nigerian heritage. It also sent a signal to all of our residents, of any race and ethnicity, that their voice and cultural heritage are essential parts of the community that is Montgomery County. I’m thrilled at the opportunity offered by Montgomery History to preserve the Agbada, because by doing so we send a deliberate message that our strength lies in our diversity.”
Councilmember Jawando will present the Agbada to Matthew Logan, executive director of Montgomery History, at the 13th annual Montgomery County History Conference on Saturday, January 26.
“I was initially struck by the Agbada’s beauty and the statement that Councilmember Jawando was obviously making,” said Logan. “When I heard of the personal meaning embedded in the robe, I knew it needed to be preserved in perpetuity as part of our textile collection.”
Councilmember Jawando’s heritage has given him an appreciation for the opportunities that life in America can bring. Through his work in the community, he has garnered support from the growing Montgomery County African community. He is the co-leader of the African American Student Achievement Action Group which works to close the opportunity and achievement gap for African American students in Montgomery County Public Schools. He also co-founded the African Immigrant Caucus whose mission is to increase civic engagement and economic development and build African immigrant power across ethnicity, language, tribal and national affiliation and political party.”
Once a bedroom community for Washington D.C., Montgomery County has grown into one of the most culturally diverse counties in our nation. The one-day Montgomery County History Conference is an opportunity for all people to celebrate and learn about the stories of our past that continue to shape our community. Hosted annually, the day includes workshops, presentations and panel discussions covering diverse topics on a wide range of issues, and how those matters are still relevant today. Former Washington Post writer Eugene Meyer will deliver a talk, “Postbellum Montgomery County: Coming to Terms with our Southern Past,” and one of the panel discussions will center around the Underground Railroad in Montgomery County. The History Conference will be held Saturday, Jan. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Montgomery College Germantown Campus, 2020 Observation Drive, Germantown.
A Montgomery County Community Media interview with Councilmember Jawando at the Council’s inauguration on Dec. 3, 2018 can be viewed here.
To learn more about Councilmember Jawando visit
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/jawando/index.html .
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Release ID: 19-027