The City of Bridgeport honored Black History Month Tuesday morning with a symbol of pride.

Mayor Joe Ganim joined the community and elected officials in raising the Pan-African flag downtown at the Morton Government Center.

The red, black and green flag was created as a marker of freedom and unity amongst the African American community.

It is now a unifying symbol for Black people throughout the diaspora.

"The combination of these three colors represents the spirit of Black Americans. We are a dynamic people, who are creating communities and spaces to call our own and hoping for a society free of oppression," said Ebony Jackson-Shaheed, director of Public Health for the City of Bridgeport.

The Pan-African flag will wave over downtown Bridgeport for the remainder of Black History Month.

Norwalk kicked off its celebration of Black History Month in a new way Tuesday morning. Mayor Harry Rilling invited the community to join him and other local officials for a Pan-African flag-raising ceremony at the Heritage Wall.

The event commemorated the African diaspora and its fight for Black liberation, equity and freedom.

"We have to remember that Black history is American history, and we're celebrating the accomplishments, the sacrifices, all of the commitment that Black Americans have made to the American history and the building and the continuing to success of our great nation," said Greg Burnett, Common Council president.

Community members took turns sharing their appreciation for the event and the steps made to promote more unity.