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CoHNA hosts Black History Month event
The event highlighted historical Hindu-Black ties, emphasizing advocacy, civic engagement, and a shared commitment to justice and equality.
The event recognized Black community's contributions to civil rights / X/ CoHNA
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) held its second annual "Building Bridges: Connecting Communities" event at the Georgia State Capitol last week to commemorate Black History Month.
The event honored the contributions of the Black community to civil rights and emphasized the importance of strengthening relationships between the Hindu and Black American communities through advocacy and civic engagement.
Also read: CoHNA lauds Gabbard’s appointment as first Hindu American cabinet member
A highlight of the event was a speech delivered by an 11th-grade Hindu American student, Sagar Patel, who spoke about the role of youth in strengthening advocacy efforts and civic engagement. Young members from Hindu Yuva also participated, and the event featured the Darshana Exhibit, which provided an educational showcase of Hindu contributions to history, culture, and society.
The gathering was attended by more than 40 lawmakers, including Senator Nikki Merritt, chairperson of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC), and Senator Emanuel Jones, former GLBC Chair. Other guests included Senator Shawn Still and State Representative Todd Jones, who addressed the attendees.
“We see this as more than just an annual event—it’s an ongoing collaboration based on mutual respect,” said Rajeev Menon, vice president and co-founder of CoHNA. “As Hindus we are inspired by the pathbreaking work of the Black community and look forward to working together to strengthen our communities and improve our shared future as Americans.”
CoHNA wrapped up Black History Month with a bi-partisan celebration at the Georgia State Legislature. Over 40 lawmakers including leaders from the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC) and others attended.
— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) March 5, 2025
The event showcased the lasting impact of the Black community’s… pic.twitter.com/6yhvIPDw5C
Hindus have been part of American society for over a century, integrating through the groundwork laid by the Black community and civil rights leaders. Lala Lajpat Rai and Swami Vivekananda engaged with Black leaders, highlighting shared struggles, the organization said in a statement.
Additionally, Martin Luther King Jr drew inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolence. Jazz musician Alice Coltrane embraced Hinduism, blending it with gospel.
CoHNA released a special video highlighting historical connections between Hindu and Black communities to commemorate Black History Month, reaffirming a shared commitment to justice, freedom, and equality.
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