HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-02-2021 Virtual Board Meeting; 4-c - Black History Month Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 2, 2021
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-c
SUBJECT: Black History Month Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Human Rights and Relations
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation BOCC Chair Renee Price, (919) 245-
2130
Annette M. Moore, (919) 245-2317
PURPOSE: To proclaim the month of February as Black History Month.
BACKGROUND: Carter G. Woodson and three others started black History Month, proclaimed
by every president since 1976. These Black Americans formed the Association for the Study of
Negro Life and History (ASNLF), which started the idea of Black History Month in 1915, at the
celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of emancipation in Washington, DC. The ASNLF, an
organization whose mission was to research and promote the achievements of Black Americans
and other people of African descent. The first celebration was during the week in February that
encompassed Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas's birthdays. In 1976, President Gerald
Ford expanded the celebration to the month of February. President Ford urged Americans to
"seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in
every area of endeavor throughout our history." The month of February was selected to
commemorate the birthdays of Lincoln and Douglas and to recognize the history of Black
Americans and the historical significance they represent in the history of the United States.
This year's Black History Month theme is "The Black family: Representation, Identity, and
Diversity." ASNLF describes the Black family as "the foundation of Black American life and
history," which offers a "rich tapestry of images for exploring the African American past and
present."
Upcoming activities commemorating Black History Month include:
• February 1, 6 — 8 pm. Commemoration of George Henry White.
Register:
https://townofcarrboro.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN -Iorm6uDSauaS23HIFNzvQ (If
registration is full, you can view the program via YouTube. For more information, contact
Carrboro Recreation at 919.918.7364 or via email at recparks(a_townofcarrboro.org.)
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• February 18-19: "Equal Protection's Grand Promise and Betrayals: Reconstruction,
Plessy to Bakke and Beyond — Is There a Way Forward?" UNC Center for Civil Rights.
Agenda, registration: https://Iaw.unc.edu/academics/centers-and-programs/center-for-
civil-rights/conferences-and-events/
• February 1 — 28 - United Way of the Greater Triangle and Orange County are hosting a
Racial Equity 21-Day Challenge that takes employees on a daily journey of learning and
self-discovery to develop more effective social justice habits around issues of race, power,
privilege, and leadership. The goal is to build new understandings and connections and
begin dismantling systemic racism. Employees receive a Challenge email each Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday - such as reading an article, listening to a podcast, or watching a
video. Participants are encouraged to reflect on the information through journaling and
sharing via social media to relate the situation to their own lives. A unique hashtag will be
provided on February 1 to track the conversation in its entirety. During the Challenge,
employees discover how inequity and racism affect the community. At the end of the
Challenge, United Way will host a virtual Unwrapped panel event that brings together
participants from different workgroups and subject-matter experts. This experience will
broaden participants understanding of the issues related to racial equality and highlight
some of the shared knowledge gained from the experience.
• Throughout February 2021, the Orange County BIPOC Elected Officials will spotlight
"Black History Legends—Orange County Style" on County and Town websites. Elected
officials will recognize local Orange County legends who have made significant
contributions to the community. This year's Black History Legends include:
Braxton Foushee
Rosie Caldwell
Lillian Lee
Deloris Bailey
Dr. Kizzy Corbett
• February 28, 3:00 pm: The 31 st Annual Pauli Murray Awards -The Pauli Murray Awards
Ceremony recognizes individuals and businesses that have worked to promote and foster
better human relations among the diverse residents of Orange County. Nominations are
due by February 12, 2021. The Pauli Murray Human Relations Award commemorates
the life and achievements of the late Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray. This year's guest speaker
will be distinguished professor, best-selling author, and poet Nikki Giovanni. Also featured
will be Orange County's author and poet, Jaki Shelton Green, Poet Laureate of North
Carolina. For more information, follow the link: orangecountync.gov/ThePauliMurrayAward
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social
Justice Goals are applicable to this item:
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic
background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential, or economic status.
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• GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and
volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation
and authorize the Chair to sign the Proclamation on behalf of the Board.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, as we begin our journey this year, it is of the utmost importance that we take
all steps necessary to eradicate practices of discrimination against individuals, which are
detrimental to the peace, welfare, and progress of our County; and
WHEREAS, Orange County is home to Black Americans who are descendants of Africans and
were kidnapped, brought to this Country, and enslaved more than 400 years ago; and
WHEREAS, Black Americans are diverse, respected residents of this country and our community
who have worked to transcend the continuing impacts of slavery and racial segregation to
contribute to our community's economic, political, social, and spiritual well-being; and
WHEREAS, Black Americans, whose experiences, generational wisdom, and work to triumph
over racial oppression connect us to the past and help us meet the challenges of the future; and
WHEREAS, this Nation and our community must strive to understand and address the history
and legacy of racism, its impacts, and must reframe this Country's history by our understanding
and the contributions of Black Americans; and
WHEREAS, recognizing that family is the foundation of Black Americans life and history, this
year's theme for Black History Month is "The Black family: Representation, Identity, and
Diversity;"
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, do proclaim
February 2021 as "BLACK HISTORY MONTH" in Orange County and challenge our residents
to celebrate the month by educating themselves about the real history of Black Americans
contributions to this Country and our community.
THIS THE 2nd DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2021.
Renee Price, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners