The original item was published from April 30, 2025 12:21 PM to April 30, 2025 12:23 PM
A Proclamation Recognizing
Black History Month in the Village of Park Forest
WHEREAS, Historian Carter G. Woodson launched Black History Week in 1926 to recognize the significant contributions of African Americans during the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist/writer Frederick Douglass. Congress expanded it to Black History Month 50 years later at which time then-President Gerald Ford urged the country to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history"; and
WHEREAS, Each February, National Black History Month serves as both a celebration and a powerful reminder that Black history is American history, Black culture is American culture, and Black stories are essential to the ongoing story of America — our faults, our struggles, our progress, and our aspirations; and
WHEREAS, therefore our 2025 Black History Month theme, African Americans and Labor, focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people; and
WHEREAS, work is center of much of Black history and culture. Be it the agricultural labor of enslaved Africans that fed Low Country colonies, debates among Black educators on the importance of vocational training, self-help strategies and entrepreneurship in Black communities, or organized labor’s role in fighting both economic and social injustice, Black people’s work has been transformational throughout the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora; and
WHEREAS, our 2025 Black History Month theme, “Respect Yourself: Honoring the Triumphs and Successes of the Past and Present,” sets out to highlight and celebrate the potent impact of this work through our local residents and surrounding suburban areas. The program will include a panel of speakers in a variety of arenas and discuss the history, past and present, discussing the everyday struggles, hurdles and successes; and
WHEREAS, as we rejoice in the victories won by men and women who believed in the idea of a just and fair America, we remember that, throughout history, these successes were driven by bold individuals who were willing to speak out and change the status quo, whether it was verbally or by actions. And this proclamation does not begin to scratch the surface of accomplishments of African American ancestors and men and women today. However, these accomplishments make every African-American proud to be Black; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Park Forest salutes its African American residents who have long served in vital roles on school boards, service clubs and community organizations. At the local government level, African American contributions have been longstanding, and historic, in the vital leadership roles of Mayor, Trustee, Clerk, Village Attorney and a multitude of Department or Division Head roles and in many billets amongst the volunteer Boards and Commissions serving the Village of Park Forest’s mission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the Mayor and the Board of Trustees of the Village of Park Forest, Cook and Will Counties, Illinois, that February 2025 be celebrated as National Black History Month. I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities. BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED THAT residents consider participating in the Black History Month Program and activities and to stop by the Village Hall lobby and check out the local Black Business showcase. The program will be held on Saturday, February 1, 1-3p at Freedom Hall being coordinated by the Park Forest Commission on Human Relations, Community Relations Manager and Freedom Hall.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 3rd day of February, 2025.