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Adopt and present a resolution recognizing February 2022 as Black History Month in Solano County (Supervisor Brown)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Solano County Library Services recommends the Board of Supervisors adopt and present a resolution recognizing February 2022 as Black History Month in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of Blacks in U.S. history. Starting in 1926, Carter G. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History,” established “Negro History Week,” emphasizing the importance of providing a theme to focus the attention of the public, bringing to the forefront the Black experience, including how people of African descent in the United States view themselves, their influence on social movements and racial ideologies, and the aspirations of the Black community.
The theme for 2022 Black History Month is “Black Health and Wellness.” This theme acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., birthworkers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora. The 2022 theme considers activities, rituals and initiatives that Black communities have done to be well.
This February, the Solano County Library, in celebration of Black History Month, is suggesting several books written by Black authors as part of the year-long reading challenge, “Solano Reads:” Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson (adults), Black Girl Unlimited by Echo Brown (teens), and Sprouting Wings: The True Story of James Herman Banning, the First African American Pilot to Fly Across the United States by Louisa Jaggar & Shari Becker (children). Everyone interested in reading these books, including other featured books by Black authors, should visit the Solano County Library website at solanolibrary.com <https://solanolibrary.com/>.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by Library Department’s FY2021/22 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with the preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board's FY2021/22 Adopted Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt the resolution; however, this is not recommended, as Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans in Solano County and around the world.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
None.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION