Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus kicks off Black History Month with virtual event

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Feb. 1 is the first day of Black History Month.

The state Legislature's Black Caucus hosted a virtual event to kick off this month-long celebration.

State and local leaders spoke about how 2020 was a wake-up call for racial injustice across our country.

They point to the pandemic's impact on Black communities and incidents of police brutality. 

Mandela Barnes, Wisconsin's first African American lieutenant governor, says people must continue the fight of those who have fought before.

"We know that change is possible, but only if we follow the lessons in the footsteps of people who came before us," said Lt. Gov. Barnes. "I just wanna make sure we do what we can to keep up the commitment, because they didn't go that far for us just to stop. They got us to where we were, so we carry the torch and keep moving forward."

The Black Caucus has created the following list of Black History month activities: