24 - Temporary Placement of Banners Honoring Black History Month During February

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Item No. 24 � W, I,, ff�l TO: Mayor, Mayor Pro -Tem & City Council Grayson Path, City Manager FROM: Kimmie Snowton, Police Community Outreach Coordinator Richard Salter, Chief of Police SUBJECT: PRESENTATION ABOUT TEMPORARY PLACEMENT OF BANNERS HONORING BLACK HISTORY MONTH DURING FEBRUARY DATE: January 22, 2024 BACKGROUND: Every February, the United States celebrates the achievements and history of African Americans as part of Black History Month. In 1926, the second week of February was dedicated to recognize the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history. This week was chosen because it included the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist dedicated to the ending of slavery, and U.S. President Abraham Lincoln who led the United States during the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation, both of which helped lead to the ending of slavery. The week-long event officially became Black History Month in 1976 when U.S. President Gerald Ford extended the recognition to "honor the too -often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." Black History Month has been celebrated in the United States every February since. STATUS OF ISSUE: In preparation for the upcoming Black History Month, Mr. Kimmie Snowton, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Paris Police Department, in collaboration with the local NAACP Chapter seeks the City Councils' approval for the temporary placement of eight flags (in total) at the Paris Historic Downtown Plaza. Four flags will be placed for two weeks followed by four new flags for the remaining two weeks of February. While it is difficult to limit ourselves to eight, these flags will be used to provide a brief recognition of eight individuals who have played a positive and key role for African Americans in Paris, Texas. Our hope is that this will be well-received and something that might be repeated again annually.