III.1. Proclamation Commemorating Black History Month; Imihy
CITY OF HOPKINS
City Council Report 2025-014
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Mike Mornson, City Manager
From: Laila Imihy, AICP, Special Projects and Initiatives Manager
Date: February 4, 2025
Subject: Proclamation Commemorating Black History Month
_____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED ACTION
MOTION TO Adopt a Proclamation commemorating February as Black History Month in
Hopkins.
OVERVIEW
Each year the City of Hopkins celebrates the diversity in our community with
proclamations recognizing the historical and cultural months throughout the year. This
year, Staff plans to bring forward the following proclamations:
• February: Black History Month
• March: Women’s History Month
• April: Arab American Heritage Month
• May: Asian American and Pacific Islander History Month
• June: Juneteeth and Pride Month
• July: Disability Pride Month
• September/October: Hispanic Heritage Month
• November: Native American Heritage Month
When staff capacity and funding allow, these proclamations are accompanied by actions
such as hanging pride flags along Mainstreet, or supporting community driven events.
Black History Month, first as Negro History Week, has been celebrated in February since
1976. Dr. Carter G. Woodson established this commemoration of African American
history a decade after founding the Association for the Study of African American Life and
History (ASALH).
ASALH annually chooses a theme for Black History Month, with 2025’s being African
Americans and Labor. This theme shines light on the often-painful story of labor for Black
Americans, but also on the victories earned in the face of unequal treatment and the
cultural and social progress that African Americans have made.
The City of Hopkins would like to proclaim February as Black History Month to recognize
and appreciate the city’s Black residents and employees and to recommit to a spirit of
community where all people feel safe and respected, and diversity is celebrated.
Administration
This month, the cities of Hopkins and Minnetonka are excited to invite community
members to Expressions of Blackness, a Black-owned artist and vendor market on
February 20th from 5-8pm at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. There will be a DJ, cash bar
and amazing vendors to support.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
• Proclamation Commemorating Black History Month
A Proclamation Commemorating
Black History Month
WHEREAS, prior to founding Negro History Week in 1926, Dr. Carter G Woodson
established the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)
in 1915; and
WHEREAS, fifty years later, ASALH expanded the celebration of Black history from one
week to the entire month of February and chooses a national theme annually; and
WHEREAS, the theme for Black History Month in 2025 is African Americans and Labor;
and
WHEREAS, the history of labor for African Americans is a complex and often painful one,
inextricably linked to enslavement, prejudice, and the struggle for equal rights, but with
countless stories of perseverance, success, and courage in the face of hatred; and
WHEREAS, labor is not only defined by work done with or without pay, but also as the
creation of a unique culture and identity, social activism movements, community groups
and institutions, and a rich history of civic service; and
WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins wishes to recognize and appreciate the labor and history
of our Black residents and employees and to reflect upon Black history in the United
States as a whole; and
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
February as Black History Month in the City of Hopkins, and invite all residents to learn
more about the celebration and the importance that African American labor has had in
the story of our city, state, and nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the Seal of the City of
Hopkins, Minnesota to be affixed this 4th day of
February, 2025.
_______________________________________
Patrick Hanlon, Mayor