Adams County proclaims February 2025 Black History Month

The Adams County Board of County Commissioners read and signed a proclamation declaring February 2025 Black History Month during the commission’s Feb. 11 meeting.

The proclamation notes the county’s recognition of the culture, heritage and contributions of Black and African American residents and cites the 2025 national theme “African Americans and Labor,” which the county said examines how paid and unpaid work shaped the Black experience.

Shanice McGregor, who identified herself as employed by Adams County, told commissioners that “Black history is not just American history. It is world history.” Sunny Ward, chief operating officer for the Adams County district attorney’s office, thanked the board and said proclamations matter “especially in times like these,” urging the county to treat the declaration as a prompt to continue equity work.

Commissioners on the dais echoed the remarks. Commissioner Henson said the board must “endeavor to keep active” the work of the county’s employee-led diversity, equity and inclusion council, aProud, and Commissioner Mullica emphasized the importance of recognizing the legacy of systemic racism in land-use decisions. Commissioner O’Dorisio said the board will “stand with” voters’ expressed values and stressed protection alongside celebration.

The proclamation text presented to the board recites the history of the observance from its 1926 origin as Negro History Week to its expansion to a month in 1976 and notes Adams County’s Black or African American population figures as reflected in the proclamation. The county read the full proclamation aloud and indicated it had been signed by the commissioners.

The board invited members of aProud and county staff to the front for a photograph following the proclamation.