CITY OF FRESNO Office of Council Vice President Nelson Esparza Is hereby presented in honor of:
Black History Month WHEREAS: February is nationally recognized as Black History Month, a time to honor the achievements, contributions, struggles,
and
resilience
of
African
Americans
throughout
the
history
of
the
United
States;
and
WHEREAS: The 2026 theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” marks the historic 100th anniversary of Black
History
Month.
This
centennial
theme
encourages
reflection
on
identity,
culture,
and
the
recognition
of
Black
contributions
to
society.
For
the
100th
theme,
the
founders
of
Black
History
Month
invite
us
to
explore
the
importance
and
meaning
of
Black
history
commemorations
in
transforming
the
position
of
Black
peoples
in
the
modern
world;
and
WHEREAS: Black History Month originated in 1926 as Negro History Week, founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who sought
to
establish
an
organized,
far-reaching,
and
sustained
effort
illustrating
and
honoring
the
contributions
Black
Americans
have
made
to
the
culture,
economy,
science,
arts,
politics,
and
civil
rights
of
the
United
States;
and
WHEREAS: The history of African American presence in Fresno dates back to the mid-19th century, with the 1850 census
recording
many
Black
families,
including
some
who
were
runaway
slaves
but
were
all
counted
as
United
States
citizens.
By
1882,
there
was
a
large
enough
presence
of
Black
families
in
Fresno
to
establish
the
Carter
Memorial
African
Methodist
Episcopal
Church,
who
had
their
first
gathering
at
a
home
on
F
Street;
and
WHEREAS: Inspired by the collective vision of Leoria McLean and Nancy Whittle, the Taste of Freedom Project was established
in
2023
by
a
dedicated
group
of
community
volunteers,
including
social
workers,
educators,
artists,
parents,
community
organizers,
and
living
historians.
The
organization
stands
as
a
vibrant
testament
to
the
transformative
power
of
collective
vision
and
creative
collaboration,
weaving
together
art,
history,
and
healing.
Through
exhibitions,
performances,
and
workshops,
the
Taste
of
Freedom
Project
uplifts
and
honors
community
voices,
ensuring
that
the
richness
of
California’s
cultural
legacy
continues
to
inspire
and
connect
new
generations;
and
WHEREAS: The 2026 honoree, Nancy Whittle, is a distinguished social worker and living historian. She coordinated and
conducted
most
interviews
for
the
African
American
Voices
oral
history
project
(2004–2006),
preserving
the
stories
of
Central
Valley
elders
and
civic
leaders.
For
over
three
decades,
she
has
portrayed
Harriet
Tubman
in
Civil
War
reenactments
across
California,
bringing
this
iconic
freedom
fighter’s
legacy
to
life.
Her
contributions
have
been
recognized
with
two
Fresno
NAACP
Image
Awards,
the
Fresno/Madera
County
Sheriff’s
Award,
and
the
Presidential
Youth
Service
Award
from
President
Bill
Clinton
in
1993,
reflecting
a
lifetime
of
leadership
and
community
impact.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that we, Mayor Jerry P. Dyer, Council Vice President Nelson Esparza, and the Fresno
City
Council,
do
hereby
proclaim,
February
2026,
as:
“A Century of Black History Month” in the City of Fresno. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands and affixed the Seal of The City of Fresno, California, on this 19th day of February 2026 .