February 1, 2022
Mayor's Office
DATE: January 24, 2022
TO: Members of the City Council
FROM:
Eduardo Martinez, Mayor
Subject:
Black History Month – February 2023
FINANCIAL IMPACT: N/A
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
N/A
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Observing Black History Month celebrates countless
contributions made by African Americans in all aspects of our country’s fabric, including but not limited to business, education, politics, military, science, and the arts.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
PROCLAMATION declaring February 2023 as Black
History Month in the City of Richmond – Mayor’s Office
(Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
DISCUSSION:
In 1926, Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History recognized Black History Week to honor the contributions, achievements, AGENDA
REPORT
February 1, 2022
and involvement of African Americans in the development of the United States. In 1970, black educators and the Black United Students at Kent State University celebrated the first Black History Month, six years before it was celebrated across the country when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month during the United States Bicentennial in 1976 where he urged Americans to “honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” The Association for the Study of African American Life and History has highlighted “Black Resistance” as the 2023 Black History Month theme and will host a series of virtual programs and events throughout the month. The City of Richmond honors the rich legacy of African Americans who migrated here to work in the shipyards and molded our cultural, economic, and social foundations. The City of Richmond recognizes and honors the resiliency of African Americans who faced generations of racism, discrimination, and unjust working and living conditions and is dedicated to combating racial inequities and institutional racism in order to ensure a just society on the home front of the next greatest generation. The City of Richmond encourages all residents to celebrate the contributions of African Americans in the United States.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Proclamation declaring February 2023 as Black History Month in the City of Richmond