Court proclaims February as Black History Month

February is National Black History Month, which according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History website, began in 1926 as a week-long celebration occurring on the second week of Feb. That week was chosen by the ACLH Founder Carter Woodson due to the fact that the birthdays of two men associated with the fight for African American freedom, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, occurred during that week. Fast forward to 1986, which was the first year of the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday as a national holiday. That same year, the U.S. Congress designated the month of February as National Black History Month, which is still celebrated to this day and will see national and local acknowledgments throughout the month.

The Hays County Commissioners Court recognized the importance of this month by adopting a proclamation recognizing Feb. 2024 as Black History Month.

“Today Black History Month Garners support throughout the country as people of all ethnic and social backgrounds discuss the African American Experience,” the proclamation stated. “Black History Month commemorates the success and achievements by African Americans both in overcoming many obstacles and in making significant contributions to our community, our state, our nation and the world.”

Dunbar Heritage Association Vice President Mittie Miller said that the organization will be collaborating with the San Marcos Public Library to teach a brief history course on how Black history is American history from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb 24.

“We are having our fundraiser. We’re selling calendars to educate about Black history,” Miller said.

Justice of the Peace Precinct-5 Sandra Bryant said she wanted to invite the public to the Buda Black History Celebration from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb 24 at 204 San Antonio Street, which is in downtown Buda.

“I do want to share that I’m the first elected African American judge in Hays County,” Bryant said.

Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe said she wanted to thank the DHA for all of the work that’s been done to celebrate African American History.

“We had a wonderful MLK March on Saturday and [a] great program. We had some great speakers,” Ingalsbe said. “It’s wonderful to see that this started out in San Marcos only, and it’s now wonderful to see that it has spread to the entire county.”

The proclamation stated that the ACLHs theme for this year is African Americans and the Arts, and the DHA will be recognizing the significant contributions of the diaspora to all associated fields.

“Hays County joins in the unified endeavor of its community to celebrate Black History Month in San Marcos, Kyle, Wimberley, Buda, Drippings Springs and throughout Hays County in paying homage to those that helped carry on the resolute efforts and the continual reminder of the achievements by African American men and women who have contributed to the advancements of civilization,” the proclamation stated, adding that it calls upon the citizens of the county to celebrate Black History Month.