Founder
Founded in 2004
The driving force behind the Hamden Black History Committee is its founder, Martha Walker. Affectionately known as “Mama Walker,” Martha began her journey with a profound curiosity about her own heritage and the stories of resilience and triumph that shaped her family and community.
In founding the Hamden Black History Committee, Martha sought to create an organization that not only commemorates the past but also builds a bridge to the future.
How We Began
Martha started the program with a friend in 2004 when she moved to Hamden from New Haven 2 decades ago. They approached then-Hamden Mayor Carl Amento about doing a black history program. “He thought it was a great idea,” Martha said. “He even asked if we would do a Martin Luther King program, so we did that, too.” Under her leadership, the organization has grown into a vital resource for the Hamden community, fostering a greater appreciation for the diversity and depth of Black experiences and contributions.
Importance of Education
Martha views education as a key element to achievement and success. Consequently, her vision was also to raise funds to provide annual book award scholarships to Hamden High School seniors based on a well defined criteria.
She notes that the awards are not exclusively for an African American student, but for students who do community service and/or excel academically. “We also take into consideration that their parents may not have the resources to help them as much as another student’s might,” Martha Walker said. “We’re trying to make sure every child has an opportunity. In most communities a lot of times the child least likely to get help is the African American child. But that’s certainly not the criteria.”
Martha remarked, “My Grandmother taught us that we don’t owe her anything for what she did for us. We are obligated to our children and to those yet to come, to give our resources, time and energy in an amount more than she and our parents were able to give us. That is our legacy.”
“We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence and character – this is the goal of true education.”
Martha Walker, Founder
Hamden Black History Committee