Moreno Valley Council proclaims Black History Month; city, sheriff recognize deputies and classified employee

The City Council of the City of Moreno Valley presented a proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month and honored multiple Riverside County Sheriff's Office employees during a special presentations segment at its Feb. 4 meeting.

Council Member Shailinda Bernard introduced the proclamation, and Dr. Melanie Lindsay, assistant professor in the Ethnic Studies department at Moreno Valley College, accepted it on behalf of the college. "Black History Month began as Black History Week in 1926 initiated by Dr. Carter G. Woodson," Lindsay said, noting the observance's expansion to a month in 1976 and calling it both a celebration and a call to action toward equality and justice.

Later in the program, the council and city staff recognized Sheriff's Office personnel. The city acknowledged Deputy Wishman Bigby as deputy of the fourth quarter for investigative work that culminated in the safe recovery of a missing juvenile and an arrest of an adult suspect. The council also presented Corporal Reggie Rinesburg with a deputy of the year award for leading training and outreach initiatives, and it recognized senior sheriff's records clerk Jessica Solano as the first recipient of a newly created classified employee of the year award. Solano thanked her family and colleagues and quoted Mark 10:45 in remarks about service.

The presentations were ceremonial and did not involve council action beyond the proclamations and acknowledgements. Photos were taken with awardees and council members following each presentation.

The recognitions took place during the meeting's special presentations segment before the council's regular agenda items.