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Hayward proclaims February 2026 Black History Month; local groups outline events
Summary
The City of Hayward declared February 2026 Black History Month. NAACP and Black Women Organized for Political Action leaders described local programs, invited residents to events, and the Hayward Unified representative outlined school activities and a recent board policy on hate speech.
Mayor Mark Salinas read a proclamation on Feb. 17 declaring February 2026 Black History Month in the City of Hayward and presented proclamations to local organizations.
The proclamation noted the centennial of the first Black History Week and listed library programming including a children’s scavenger hunt, a curated book display and a youth-focused series of events. Mayor Salinas also acknowledged the nation was mourning the death of civil‑rights leader Jesse Jackson and tied that moment of remembrance to the proclamation.
Alanda Johnson, speaking for the Hayward South Alameda County NAACP, thanked the council for city partnership, described the NAACP’s history in Hayward and invited residents to an NAACP open house on Feb. 28 at the chapter office.
Raquel Johnson, president of the Hayward South County chapter of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BOAPA), reviewed BOAPA’s local history, announced a documentary screening with a post‑film Q&A and said the group is coordinating listening sessions with the Alameda County reparations commission. She named local partners including the Eaton Area League of Women Voters, Northern California Public Media, Ovis Foundation and the AAUW Hayward‑Castro Valley branch.
A representative from the Hayward Unified School District described district Black History Month programming — assemblies, readings, parades and family events — and said the school board recently adopted a policy prohibiting use of the n‑word and other forms of hate speech. The district representative invited the community to an African American Family Conference in March.
Councilmember Angela Andrews delivered remarks honoring Jesse Jackson’s legacy, described recent local observances (including raising a Pan‑African flag and Juneteenth celebrations) and praised student engagement such as the revival of a Black Student Union at Tennyson High School.
The council did not take legislative action on the proclamations; the presentations concluded before the meeting moved to other business.
