SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring February 2019 as Black History Month in the State of California.
The text of the proclamation is below:
PROCLAMATION
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Without the story of African-Americans, the story of America is incomplete. Black History Month, first proposed by scholar Carter G. Woodson in 1926, seeks to rightfully restore the struggles and triumphs of African-Americans into our national narrative. While this work is far from finished, Woodson’s vision for Black History Month and all who have taken up his cause have helped us tell the whole story of America and everyone who built it.
This year, we focus on “Black Migrations,” the bold journeys out of the southern United States in the early decades of the twentieth century. Seeking a better life – and fleeing race-based discrimination and violence – African-Americans left behind the worlds they knew and ventured to cities across America and the world. Thousands relocated to California, especially to urban areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
These migrations had an indelible impact on the culture, art, economies, and politics of our cities. African-Americans embraced their new freedoms and opportunities, but also faced dangers and disparities they could not leave behind. Their migrations helped bring to light the unequal treatment of people of color that we continue to confront as a nation today.
This Black History Month, let us draw inspiration from the past as we continue our journey toward a more perfect union. We must recommit ourselves to building a California for All that drives our nation to live up to its promise.
NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim February 2019, as “Black History Month.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 28th day of February, 2019.
GAVIN NEWSOM
Governor of California
ATTEST:
ALEX PADILLA
Secretary of State
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