HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-04-2025; 4-a - Black History Month Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 4, 2025
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Black History Month Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Office of Equity and Inclusion
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Paul Slack, (919) 245-2317
Events Flyer
PURPOSE: To consider a proclamation designating February 2025 as Black History Month in
Orange County.
BACKGROUND: Black History Month originated from the efforts of Carter G. Woodson and three
colleagues, who established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) in
1915. Their mission was to research, preserve, and promote the achievements of Black
Americans and people of African descent. Inspired by the fiftieth anniversary of emancipation
celebrations in Washington, D.C., the ASNLH introduced the concept of a Negro History Week in
1926.
This celebration was intentionally placed in February to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln
and Frederick Douglass, two pivotal figures in the fight for freedom and equality. Over time, the
event grew in prominence, culminating in 1976 when President Gerald Ford officially expanded
the observance to the entire month of February. President Ford called on Americans to "seize the
opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area
of endeavor throughout our history." Since then, every U.S. president has recognized Black
History Month.
This year's theme is "African Americans and Labor", honoring the role Black people have played
in establishing this country through both free work and enslaved labor.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
proclamation.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 5: PUBLIC EDUCATION/LEARNING COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 1. Foster collaborative relationships with formal and informal educational
organizations and agencies to provide opportunities for community members to meet,
connect, and learn together.
2
• GOAL 6: DIVERSE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY
OBJECTIVE 1. Provide family-oriented and inclusive programming or other cultural events
for residents and visitors.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the proclamation
and authorize the Chair to sign the Proclamation.
3
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, it is essential to sustain a harmonious and inclusive society, Orange County
discourages practices and actions deemed detrimental to the peace, welfare, and progress of
our community; and
WHEREAS, Black Americans, descendants of people forcibly taken from Africa and subjected to
the brutalities of slavery, White supremacy, and family separation, have survived and overcome
over 400 years of systemic oppression, creating a vibrant and dynamic legacy that is central to
the cultural, economic, and political fabric of this nation; and
WHEREAS, the resilience, innovation, and indomitable spirit of Black Americans have pushed
this nation closer to the ideals of freedom, equality, and democracy that the Founders expressed
but did not fully pursue, even as they have fought tirelessly against the enduring specter of racial
injustice, oppression, violence, and discrimination; and
WHEREAS, Black history is not only a celebration of victories won but also a testament to the
years and lives lost in the pursuit of equity, inclusion, social justice, and liberation; and
WHEREAS, we honor the legacy of leaders, martyrs, visionaries, and revolutionaries who
sacrificed safety to defy both legal and illegal acts of oppression, and recognize the current
generation of leaders who continue to dismantle barriers, uplift communities and pursue justice;
and
WHEREAS, Orange County, recognizing it is home to numerous unmarked cemeteries for
enslaved people, will soon be adding a commemorative headstone collectively marking at least
34 individual graves at Blackwood Farms, honoring the lives and legacy of those whose labor
and sacrifice were foundational to the history of Orange County; and
WHEREAS, this year's theme of"African Americans and Labor" highlights the vital economic role
Black Americans have played in the development of the United States, acknowledging that Black
work — both free and forced — has been critical to the nation's infrastructure, industries, and
cultural identity, while also underscoring the need for fair labor practices, equitable wages and
hiring policies, along with workplace justice that continues today;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, do proclaim
February 2025 as "BLACK HISTORY MONTH" and encourage residents to honor this
distinctive month by becoming more enlightened as to the true history of Black Americans in this
Country and in our community.
THIS THE 4t" DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Black � ORANGE COUNTY OFFICE OF
•
EQUIFEBRUARYH•stoY2025rY INCLUSION
Month
events.
COMMUNITY READ - JUDGING JURIES
HOW THE WORD IS - FILM AND PANEL
PASSED BY CLINT
SMITH A short film followed by a
Join us for a community • panel discussion about the
discussion of Clint Smith's How need for inclusive juries.
the Word Is Passed to explore
the legacy of slavery. Chapel Hill Public Library
6PM
Hillsborough Main Library
2PM
ANNUAL BHM EVERYBODY'S WORK FILM
BREAKFAST In SCREENING
Join the OC Dept on Aging Join us for a screeningof the
for our Annual Black History film Everybody's Wor , a
Month Breakfast. documentary that examines
racism in the health care
Hargraves Center 216 N system.
Roberson St. Chapel Hill, NC
10 AM Hillsborough Main Library
2PM
ORIGIN FILM THE MAN BEHIND THE
SCREENING ; COUNTER -
DOCUMENTARY
Come watch a screening SCREENING
of the 2024 film Origin
based on Isabel Come watch a screening
Wilkerson's best selling of the film The Mon
book Caste. Behind the Counter a
documentary that dives
into the Woolworth's Sit
Ins.
TELLING THE FULL Seymour Center, 2251
STORY - Homestead Road Chapel
CONVERSATION SERIES Hill, NC
1PM
Join us every Thursday for
an oral history and map-
based project that highlights
overlooked Black and
Indigenous histories in
Hillsborough.
To register call Passmore
Center at 919-245-2015 by • It10
Friday, January 31st. 40
o ,.ong
Orange County, NC Office of
Equity and Inclusion