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Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Black History month and uplifting the significant contributions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Divine 9 and Links Incorporated to the City of Saint Paul.
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WHEREAS, in 1915, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History” first set out to designate a time to promote and educate people about Black History and culture which included the suffered enslavement, injustices of lynch mobs, segregation, denial of basic and fundamental rights of citizenship, art, innovation and renaissance which are a part of American History; and
WHEREAS he founded the organization now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, encouraging other historians to envision a week-long celebration of coordinated teaching of Black History in public schools; and
WHEREAS in 1926, Dr. Woodson was successful in creating Negro History Week, celebrated during the second week of February and by the late 1960’s, due to demonstrations concerning racial justice, inequality and poverty during the Civil Rights movement. Negro history week evolved into what is now known as Black History Month; and
WHEREAS the Saint Paul City council uplifts the tremendous work of Historically Black Colleges and universities (HBCU) that emerged through the work of philanthropist and free blacks after the Civil war to provide Black Americans the most basic human rights-access to a full education; and
WHEREAS many HBCU alumni contribute to the art, innovation and creativity of Saint Paul as CEO’s, Educators, doctors, elected officials, Philanthropists, Entrepreneurs, youth workers, City directors and staff and truly represent Black excellence in the city of Saint Paul; and
WHEREAS many HBCU Alumni and Black students attending predominantly white institutions, came together to create Black Greek Letter Organizations, hereafter referred to as the “Divine 9”, during a period of ...
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