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Pierce County proclaims February 2025 Black History Month, honors ‘Blacks in the Military’ theme
Summary
The Pierce County Council issued a proclamation designating February 2025 as Black History Month and invited local leaders from the Buffalo Soldiers Museum, Black Collective and National Association of Black Veterans to speak; council members emphasized that "Black history is American history."
The Pierce County Council on Feb. 4 issued a proclamation declaring February 2025 as Black History Month in Pierce County and invited representatives of local Black organizations to accept the proclamation and speak.
Council member Denson read the proclamation on the council chamber floor, citing national and local achievements and noting the 2025 national theme, “African Americans and Labor.” The proclamation listed local program metrics including participation figures for county business-support programs and recognized the Black Collective’s role in Tacoma and Pierce County.
Recipients at the podium included Jackie Jones Hook of the Tacoma Buffalo Soldiers Museum, Reverend Robert L. Watson Jr., commander for the National Association of Black Veterans, Lyle Kwasim, chair of the Tacoma Pierce County Black Collective, and Shanna Lawson, associate director of alumni relations at the University of Washington Tacoma (participating online). They thanked the council for the recognition and emphasized the theme of Black service in the military and the broader labor movement.
Reverend Watson said, “This is The United States Of America right here. Not just 1 color and 1 people,” and urged continued council support for Black organizations. Lyle Kwasim described the local Black Collective’s economic development work and the museum’s focus on “Blacks in the military.” Shanna Lawson said, quoting James Baldwin, “If you know from whence you came, there is no limit to where you can go,” and called for continued community learning and celebration.
Council members from across the dais echoed that “Black history is American history,” praised volunteers and organizers, and highlighted county resources and listings of local events on the Pierce County website. The ceremony concluded with a group photo and an invitation for community members to consult the county’s website for event listings.
No formal vote was required for the proclamation; it was presented as a ceremonial recognition.
