Marin County Board proclaims February 2025 Black History Month; county and employees urge continued action on equity

The Marin County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 11 adopted a resolution proclaiming February 2025 Black History Month, and invited employees and community groups to carry out activities that spotlight African American history and contributions.

The proclamation, read on the board chamber floor, was backed by staff and community members who urged elected officials to treat Black History Month as an everyday commitment to equity and inclusion. "Black excellence is not something that we need to search for, it is surrounding us each and every day," said Latoya Webb, HHS and president of Komeya, the County of Marin African Ancestry Employees Association.

The item was passed by a motion from Supervisor Damon Lucan and seconded by Supervisor Stephanie Molton Peters. The motion carried unanimously.

Board materials note the resolution recognizes the origins of Black History Month with Carter G. Woodson and asks county departments, elected officials and community members to observe the month with educational events and activities. Participants emphasized workforce representation, mentorship and programs supporting career advancement.

At the podium, Webb told the board Komeya would "continue to bring awareness to the ongoing crisis of systemic racism within the County of Marin by elevating focus to the persistently imposed racial barriers to equal education, affordable housing, employment, access to medical and mental health resources, quality food security, clean water, and air free of toxins." She also encouraged the board to consider equity as continual work rather than a one-month observance.

Roger Crawford of Human Resources commended the county's African American leaders and criticized media questioning of their qualifications. "If we are truly committed to equity, we must acknowledge the biases and actually actively work to change them," Crawford said. Several other county employees and members of Komeya described mentorship programs, career-day events in Marin City and internal affinity-group activities that aim to support Black staff and youth.

County Chief Administrative staff and the County Executive's office reiterated an organizational commitment to recruitment, retention and fair treatment. "We are dedicated and have an unwavering commitment of a culture of belonging, inclusion, and respect, and most importantly, accountability," an Office of County Executive spokesperson said during the meeting.

Public commenters, including staff from Health and Human Services and the Marin County Free Library, also spoke in favor of the proclamation and urged the county to use the month to promote deeper historical research and community archives access. Several speakers asked for sustained action beyond ceremonial acknowledgements, with requests ranging from expanded mentorship to more transparent reporting on investigations of workplace misconduct.

The board voted to adopt the proclamation by voice vote; no amendments to the resolution were offered. The board also thanked Komeya and county employees for organizing programming and outreach to youth and residents.

The adoption concludes the agenda item; the supervisors and county staff said they will continue to coordinate events, outreach and follow-ups on workforce and community initiatives related to equity and inclusion. A related set of departmental activities and mentorship programs were noted as ongoing in the county calendar.