III.1. Proclamation Recognizing February as Black History Month; Imihy Bean CITY OF HOPKINS
City Council Report 2024-013
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: PeggySue Imihy Bean, AICP, Special Projects and Initiatives Manager
Date: February 6, 2024
Subject: Proclamation Recognizing February as Black History Month
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
MOTION TO adopt a proclamation recognizing February as black history month.
OVERVIEW
Black History Month has been celebrated nationally since the country’s bicentennial in
1976 and has roots going back to 1926 when Dr. Carter G. Woodson established the
second week of February as Negro History Week.
The subsequent 98 years have seen Black Americans struggle for equal rights under the
law and in the eyes of fellow citizens while barriers such as segregation, racially restrictive
housing covenants, mass incarceration, and educational inequities have hindered their
progress.
Despite these persistent issues, Black community members have made significant
contributions to the fabric of life in Hopkins and the nation as a whole, with leaders
emerging in areas of business, politics, and culture.
Tonight, the City recognizes February as Black History Month to honor Black residents
and staff members who have made these contributions to Hopkins and to recognize the
City’s role in perpetuating racial disparities while reaffirming a commitment to true
inclusion going forward.
Staff would also like to share the opportunity to celebrate Black History Month at an event
hosted by the City of Minnetonka. Fou r-time Grammy Award winning group, Sounds of
Blackness will host a concert at the Minnetonka Community Center on February 15th at
5:30pm. Tickets are available online at minnetonkamn.gov/soundsofblackness
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
•Proclamation Recognizing February as Black History Month
•Sounds of Blackness Event Flyer
Administration
A Proclamation Commemorating Black History Month
WHEREAS, the second week of February was established as Negro History Week in
1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and
Frederick Douglass; and
WHEREAS, the observance of Black History Month as a national celebration began in
1976 to recognize the progress made during the Civil Rights struggles of the preceding
quarter century; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins recognizes that the fight for the equal rights of Black
Americans did not end with the Civil Rights Act and indeed still continues to this day with
barriers such as implicit bias, mass incarceration, educational inequities, and persistent
systemic racism; and
WHEREAS, the observance of February 2024 as Black History Month serves as a
reminder of these facts but also as a celebration of Black culture and the innumerable
political, cultural, and economic contributions to our society by Black community
members; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins is committed to true inclusion and continuing to create a
community where all people feel safe and respected and diversity is celebrated;
NOW THEREFORE, I, Patrick Hanlon, Mayor of the City of Hopkins in the State of
Minnesota, along with my fellow Council Members, recognize, adopt, and proclaim this
Proclamation to urge every member of our community to honor Black History Month and
to celebrate and reflect upon its meanings all year long.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the Seal of the City of
Hopkins, Minnesota to be affixed this 6th day of
February in the year 2024.
__________________________________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor
SOUNDS
OF
BLACKNESS
Celebrate Black History Month with the four-time Grammy Award winning group.
Tickets available Feb. 1 at
minnetonkamn.gov/soundsofblackness
Limit 2 tickets per order
Feb. 15 | Doors at 5:30 p.m., Performance at 6:30 p.m.
Minnetonka Community Center
Sensory room will be available if guests need a quiet space.
Food available for purchase from Mr. Saucey