Kent County Today

Mayor Carolyn Kay Riggle and City Council were honored to recognize Black History Month and the work of the Delaware African American Heritage Council Monday night at City Hall. The Mayor was joined by DAAHC members Mark Butler and Francine Butler,  and DAAHC chair Tamika Vinson-Reid.

Along with the proclamation, the City of Delaware is hosting a Black History Month Celebration Feb. 18 at SourcePoint, 800 Cheshire Road. The event will feature music by the Grammy nominated Central State University Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Carlos B. Brown, and keynote speaker Dr. F. Erik Brooks, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs,Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio. All seats for the free event have been reserved.

The proclamation read:

WHERAS, the City of Delaware has the responsibility to recognize occasions of outstanding significance; andWHEREAS, in 1926, African American history scholar Dr. Carter G. Woodson initiated Negro History Week in the second week in February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two individuals who greatly influenced the African American population, and was expanded into Black History Month in 1976; andWHEREAS, each February, Black History Month serves as both a celebration and powerful reminder that Black history is American history, Black culture is American culture, Black experiences have always been and continued to be essential to the ongoing story of America, and we take time to celebrate an honor the legacies and achievements of generations past; andWHEREAS, we celebrate the diversity of Black people in the City of Delaware, Ohio, whether they self-identify as African, African-American, Afro-Latino, Afro-Caribbean, or Black; andWHEREAS, we recognize the historical importance of the movements throughout our nation’s history that existed to resist oppression and advocate for freedom, liberty, and justice for all; andWHEREAS, locally we uplift our community leaders, Black business owners, professionals and we recognize the efforts of the Delaware African American Heritage Council as they continue their mission to elevate the historic and present-day contributions of African Americans through education and engagement; andWHEREAS, we encourage all people to stand in the gap at every opportunity and eliminate barriers with fearlessness and determination to empower Black and Brown people. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Carolyn Kay Riggle, Mayor of the City of Delaware, Ohio, do hereby proclaim February 2023 as:

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

 in the City of Delaware, Ohio, and urge all citizens to honor and celebrate the history, culture, achievements, and contributions of African Americans in our community, state, and our nation.

Original source can be found here.