A PROCLAMATION COMMEMORATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH FEBRUARY 2025

WHEREAS, the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners commemorates February as Black History Month, a period which honors and appreciates the rich culture, history and contributions of Black people to this nation; and,

WHEREAS, Black History Month is an annual opportunity to celebrate progress, it is also a time to solemnly remember the work of those who fought for that progress, and continue to march, advocate and work on until victory is won; and, 

WHEREAS, many Black Americans have lived, toiled, and died in obscurity, never receiving the recognition those individuals deserved, and yet paved the way for future generations to succeed; and,

WHEREAS, Black Americans continue to help our communities thrive at all levels of business, government, military, health, art, culture, and innovation; and,

WHEREAS, Black History Month, originated in 1926 when Dr. Carter G. Woodson set aside a week in February that coincided with the birthday of Frederick Douglass, to recognize the heritage and achievements of Black people in the United States; and, 

WHEREAS, Black History Month has been federally recognized by every U.S. President since 1976; and,

WHEREAS, the 2025 Black History Month theme, African Americans and Labor, highlights the transformative contributions of Black people across various forms of labor—enslaved, voluntary, vocational, and professional—throughout U.S. history, and 

WHEREAS, Black labor has been central to building economies, architectural heritage, and social institutions, while African Americans have continually organized to combat exploitation, wage disparities, and discrimination, with figures like A. Philip Randolph and Addie Wyatt leading significant movements for labor and civil rights, and

WHEREAS, the 2025 theme encourages a comprehensive reflection on the intersections between Black work, workplaces, and key moments in Black history, emphasizing the ongoing significance of labor in shaping Black identity, culture, and resistance against systemic racial oppression, and

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved, the Larimer County Board of County Commissioners does hereby proclaim that February 2025 is designated as “Black History Month” and invites all to visit the Association for the Study of African American Life and History at asalh.org to learn more, and encourages the celebration of Black History Month through programs, ceremonies, and activities in the community to learn from the past and understand the experiences that have shaped the Larimer County .

Dated this 28th day of January, 2025

     THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF LARIMER COUNTY
     Kristin Stephens, Chair