Item:
Title
Resolution - Observing January 1, 2025, as Emancipation Day (10min)
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: December 9, 2024
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to issue a resolution observing January 1, 2025, as Emancipation Day in Durham County.
This observation serves several key purposes:
1. Commemorates Freedom: It marks the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation (1863), celebrating the liberation of enslaved African Americans.
2. Acknowledges History: It recognizes the legacy of slavery and its lasting impact, highlighting the systemic disparities that persist today.
3. Celebrates Heritage: Emancipation Day honors the achievements and contributions of African Americans, especially descendants of Freedmen.
4. Educates the Public: It offers an opportunity to reflect on the history of slavery and the ongoing fight for racial justice and equity.
5. Promotes Unity: The day fosters community solidarity and healing, encouraging collective action towards a more equitable future.
In summary, Emancipation Day is a time for remembrance, education, celebration, and a call to continue advancing civil rights and justice.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: this item aligns with Strategic Plan Goal: Empowered Community
Resource Persons: Dawn Paige, Founder, Concerned Black American Citizens Organization
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board issue a resolution observing January 1, 2025, as Emancipation Day in Durham County.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________