Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft
Mayor
Proclamation
Whereas, the 2024 theme of Black History Month is “ African Americans and the Arts ” – celebrating the paramount impact of African Americans on American art, literature, music, and culture to empower and preserve history and community memory; and
Whereas, while we celebrate African American artists, leaders and trailblazers, Black History Month is also a reminder of the continued struggle for freedom and opportunity, reflected in current issues that disproportionately and negatively affect African Americans, including the school -to-prison pipeline, environmental injustice, and efforts to ban discussions about race in classrooms across the country; and
Whereas, in the spirit of envisioning a future of empowerment, strength, resilience, reconciliation, and hope, the public art installation at Alameda City Hall, entitled “Creating Our Future,” includes art from six local African American artists : Stephen Bruce, Abi Mustapha, Andrea McCoy Harvey, Ashlei Reign, Tiffany Conway, and Zoe Boston; and
Whereas, artists such as the Quilters of Gee’s Bend, culture bearers of a tradition that dates back to slavery and before, help create diverse and welcoming communities . Last year, the Gee’s Bend Quilter Collective inspired many when they traveled to Alameda to share their quilts, patterns, stories, and songs that stand witness to generations of challenge and triumph; and
Whereas, Black History Month cherishes Black Bay Area artist icons including “Black Panther ” and “Fruitvale Station ” film director Ryan Coogler , “Sorry to Bother You ” writer, director, and producer Boots Riley, Tony Award-winning multimedia actor Daveed Diggs, legendary rappers Too Short, E-40, and Del the Funky Homosapien , and Emmy Award -winning actress Zendaya, to name just a few; and
Whereas, the contributions Black Americans have made in Alameda are recognized in the naming of many public places, including Littlejohn Park, Don Grant Track & Field, Littlejohn Commons, Stargell Commons, and the Albert DeWitt Officers’ Club; and
Whereas, Black artists are being uplifted throughout the month at the Alameda Free Library ’s film screenings of “Afro-Punk” and “BlacKkKlansman,” and at Rhythmix Cultural Works ’ presentation of Mark Montgomery French’s “All Your Favorite Music is (Probably) Black.”
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that I, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Mayor of the City of Alameda, hereby proclaim February 2024 as
Black History Month
in the City of Alameda and call on the community to reflect on the centuries of struggle s and successes of Black Americans that have brought us to this time of reckoning, redemption, and hope.