Kettering recognizes Black History Month winners and proclaims April Fair Housing Month and Community Development Week

Kettering City Council opened its March 10 meeting with community recognitions and proclamations.

Kathy Spalgi, chair of the Board of Community Relations, presented the 2026 Black History Month winners and described a March 4 reception attended by winners, families and some school staff. She said winners received certificates and Amazon gift cards ($50 first place, $25 second, $10 third) and named students from Fairmont High School, Kettering Middle School and multiple elementary grades. Spalgi praised the students as “smart, articulate” and said the event “restored my faith in humanity.”

The council also heard from Tom Robard, director of planning and development, who described the city’s partnership with the Miami Valley Fair Housing Center and summarized 2025 outreach: staff said the center helped more than 34 people with a range of housing issues, initiated three lawsuits and provided outreach to more than 800 people. Vice Mayor Duval read a proclamation formally commemorating April 2026 as Fair Housing Month, referencing Title VIII (the Fair Housing Act) and the city’s work with local partners to oppose housing discrimination. Council Member Arbor read a separate proclamation recognizing National Community Development Week, April 6–10, 2026, and highlighting community development block grant (CDBG) programs and local efforts to support affordable housing, economic development and homelessness services.

Council thanked board members and staff for organizing the student program and approved the proclamations by voice vote.