Title
Proclamation Declaring February 2019 as Black History Month. (City Manager 2110)
Body
Whereas, 2019 marks the 42nd year of Black History Month, or National African American History Month, celebrating the contributions of Black Americans to our country; and
Whereas, in 1973, Elector Littlejohn organized Alameda’s first Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Day Celebration which was held on the steps of City Hall; and, in 1978, Mayor Chuck Corica invited the MLK Day celebration to be held inside Council Chambers for the first time, where it has been held and organized by Reverend Betty Williams annually for the past 41 years; and
Whereas, in 1980, Alameda’s first Black History Month celebration was kicked off with a citywide barbeque and presentations in the Main Library and schools; and
Whereas, in 2016, the City proclaimed June 19th as Juneteenth Day, recognizing and celebrating the country’s oldest commemoration of the announcement of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans; and
Whereas, in 2017, the City created a banner for Black History Month illustrating the faces of local, regional and national influential Black Americans, which is displayed annually at City Hall and AUSD schools; and
Whereas, Black Alamedans are represented in Alameda civic, civil, and human rights groups, are local business owners, City Staff, City Board and Commission members, and have served as elected members of the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) Board of Education and Alameda City Council; and
Whereas, Black American contributions have been recognized throughout Alameda in the naming of places, including Littlejohn Commons, Elector Littlejohn Park, Don Grant Track & Field, Grant Lane, Wilver “Willie” Stargell Field, Stargell Avenue, Stargell Commons, Albert DeWitt Officers’ Club, DeWitt Lane, Ruby Bridges Elementary School, George Herring Tennis Courts, Les White Tennis Courts, Barbara Manning Lane, Carter Gilmore Lane, and Berresford Bingham Lane; and
Whereas, the theme of this year’s Black History Month is “Black Migrations,” which emphasizes the movement of people of African descent to new destinations and subsequently to new social and political challenges and opportunities.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that I, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Mayor of the City of Alameda, hereby proclaim February 2019, as
Black History Month
in the City of Alameda, and encourage our residents to observe and celebrate this month by participating in the numerous activities, ceremonies and programs being held in our community.
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft
Mayor