02/02/2026
A PROCLAMATION HONORING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
WHEREAS, BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS OBSERVED ANNUALLY IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY TO HONOR THE RICH HISTORY, CULTURE, AND ENDURING CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO HAVE SHAPED THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD; AND
WHEREAS, AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE MADE PROFOUND AND LASTING CONTRIBUTIONS IN EVERY AREA OF SOCIETY, INCLUDING EDUCATION, SCIENCE, MEDICINE, BUSINESS, LABOR, GOVERNMENT, THE ARTS, AND CIVIL RIGHTS, OFTEN IN THE FACE OF SYSTEMIC RACISM, DISCRIMINATION, AND INJUSTICE; AND
WHEREAS, THE LEADERSHIP, INNOVATION, RESILIENCE, AND PERSEVERANCE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES HAVE PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN THE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, POLITICAL, AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATION, INCLUDING HERE IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY AND THE BOROUGH OF SHARPSBURG; AND
WHEREAS, THE LEGACY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LEADERS, INNOVATORS, AND EVERYDAY CITIZENS CONTINUES TO INSPIRE ONGOING EFFORTS TOWARD EQUALITY, JUSTICE, AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL PEOPLE; AND
WHEREAS, RECOGNIZING AND HONORING BLACK HISTORY IS ESSENTIAL TO UNDERSTANDING OUR SHARED HISTORY AND TO FOSTERING A MORE INCLUSIVE, INFORMED, AND EQUITABLE COMMUNITY; AND
WHEREAS, THE BOROUGH OF SHARPSBURG IS COMMITTED TO PROMOTING RESPECT, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION, AND TO ENCOURAGING EDUCATION, DIALOGUE, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THAT UPLIFTS AND HONORS THE EXPERIENCES AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, KAYLA PORTIS, MAYOR OF THE BOROUGH OF SHARPSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2026 AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE BOROUGH OF SHARPSBURG, AND ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO OBSERVE THIS MONTH THROUGH REFLECTION, LEARNING, AND PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES THAT CELEBRATE AND HONOR THE HISTORY, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND LEGACY OF AFRICAN AMERICANS.
