Assembly adopts resolution marking Black History Month, honors community 'unsung heroes'

The California State Assembly on Feb. 11, 2025, adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution 30 designating February 2025 as Black History Month and held a floor ceremony to present the legislature's annual unsung-hero awards.

Assemblymember Jackson opened the observance on the Assembly floor, saying the month "is not just a recounting of achievements. It is a lens through which the full American story is understood." The resolution drew statements of support from multiple caucuses and 70 coauthors before the Assembly adopted it by voice vote.

Why it matters: the observance and accompanying remarks framed Black History Month as both commemoration and a call to continued action on equity and inclusion. Members used the ceremony to highlight historical figures and current community leaders and to underscore ongoing policy priorities such as education, civil rights and public-health equity.

Most speakers framed the resolution as symbolic recognition and legislative solidarity. Assemblymember El Hawari said the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus joined the measure to "honor the lives, contributions, and voices of the black community," while Assemblymember Ramos, speaking for the Latino and Native American caucuses, emphasized shared struggles and the month’s role in reminding lawmakers of ongoing inequities. Assemblymember Lee, speaking for the Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus, said Black History Month is a time "to reaffirm our commitment to a future where every room can be diverse, inclusive, and equitable." Assemblymember Gabriel, speaking for the Jewish Caucus, described the resolution as a moment to acknowledge how black Americans have shaped many aspects of civic life.

The Assembly used the occasion to recognize a group of honorees chosen by the California Legislative Black Caucus as the 2025 unsung heroes. Honorees introduced on the floor included Gil Robertson IV, co-founder and president of the African American Film Critics Association; Jamilia Land, co-founder of the Abolish Slavery National Network; Ernest Ronay IV, a longtime educator and mentor; Tyra Hawthorne, founder of Heartbeat Music and Performing Arts Academy; Delphine Metcalf Foster, a disabled U.S. Army veteran and former national commander of Disabled American Veterans; Dr. Keith Curry, president and CEO of Compton College and Compton Community College District; Cinder Eller Kimball, senior community affairs and homeless liaison with the Inglewood Police Department; Jasmine Nelson, director of youth services at Inspire Together; Tasha Williamson, founder of Project Safeway; Karen Mack, founder of LA Commons; and Dr. Elaine Batchlor, chief executive officer of Martin Luther King Jr. Community Healthcare (listed on the floor as the system's CEO and described as serving South Los Angeles).

Procedure and outcome: Assemblymember Jackson opened the measure and the clerk recorded 70 coauthors. The resolution was adopted by voice vote; the clerk announced "the ayes have it" and the resolution was declared adopted. Members were invited to join an on-floor presentation of honorees following adoption.

The observance included extended floor remarks from members across several caucuses and closed with Assemblymember Jackson urging the body to translate commemoration into continued work on equity and historical truth.

Looking ahead: The Assembly’s ceremonial adoption of ACR 30 places the subject of racial equity and history back into the public record for the legislative session and accompanies outreach and recognition events around the state. No statutory or budgetary changes were enacted with the resolution.