FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 1, 2022
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Chief Deputy City Clerk
SUBJECT: PROCLAMATION — "NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH"
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and City Council present a Proclamation in recognition of February 2022 as "National Black History Month."
BACKGROUND:
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of "Negro History Week," the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.
Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.
The Black History Month 2022 theme, "Black Health and Wellness," explores the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., birthworkers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora. The 2022 theme considers activities, rituals, and initiatives that Black r«ommunities have done to be well.
RHOIQDA M. WHITE, CMC
Chief Deputy City Clerk
City of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California
Proclamation
Santa Maria
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1998
WHEREAS, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week in 1926, he lobbied extensively to establish Black History as a nationwide institution and to encourage the study of African American history; and
WHEREAS, the Black family offers a rich tapestry of images for exploring the African American past and present and knows no single location since family reunions and genetic ancestry searches attest to the dispersal of family members across states, nations, and continents; and WHEREAS, as family historians dive into archives, online newspapers, and census reports to stretch the traditional boundaries of history, they discover amazing life stories of their ancestors — ordinary people who did extraordinary things inspiring new generations and destroying old stereotypes; and
WHEREAS, Black history has been at the cornerstone of contributions through the legacy of storytelling, history, literature, visual arts, film studies, sociology, sciences, anthropology, and social policy, and Theme for 2022 is "Black Joy & Legacy Through Family Health & Safety" which focuses on those contributions and the prioritization of the health and safety of the Black community; and WHEREAS, Black History Month reflects on the struggles of Black families while being a time to rejoice and celebrate their accomplishments, integrity, leadership, and determination, as well as to honor the history and progress that has been made in creating new opportunities for future generations.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ALICE M. FATINO, Mayor of the City of Santa Maria, hereby recognize February 2022, as:
"BLACK HISTORY MONTH"
in the City of Santa Maria, and encourage all residents and businesses to acknowledge and celebrate with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Seal of the City of Santa Maria to be affixed hereto this 1" day of February 2022.
Alice M. Patino, Mayor