SUBJECT: General Business
Title
Black History Month Proclamation
Body
DEPARTMENT: Legislation
Department
PRESENTER(S): Justin Brooks, Mayor
Title
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Proclaim February as Black History Month in the Town of Erie
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
Black History Month has been a nationwide celebration since 1976 recognizing the achievements, heritage, contributions, and central role of Black Americans and peoples of African descent in the history of the United States. Fifty years after the abolition of slavery, Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) and now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Following the sponsorship of the national Negro History Week in 1926, February was selected to commemorate the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Four decades later, emboldened by the civil rights movement, Negro History Week transcended into Black History Month across many academic institutions and municipalities. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month, asking Americans to recognize and honor the often-neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in all facets of society throughout history.
Every year, ASALH promotes a national theme during Black History Month. The goal is not to limit or dictate the focus for the Black experience, but rather bring attention to the importance of how "people of African descent in the United States have viewed themselves, the influence of social movements on racial ideologies, and the aspirations of the black community." The theme for 2024 is "African Americans and the Arts," recognizing the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans. African American art is infused with African, Caribbean, and the Black American lived experiences. African American influence is paramount in the fields of visual and p...
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