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Durham commissioners mark Fair Housing, 2nd Chance, Black maternal health, Child Abuse Prevention Month and others
Summary
The board issued a series of proclamations recognizing Fair Housing Month, 2nd Chance Month (reentry), Elizabeth Catlett Days, Black Maternal Health Week, Line Worker Appreciation Day, Arab American Heritage Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month; several departmental staff described related programs and events.
During the April meeting the Durham County Board of Commissioners issued multiple proclamations honoring Fair Housing Month, 2nd Chance Month, Elizabeth Catlett Days, Black Maternal Health Week, Line Worker Appreciation Day, National Arab American Heritage Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Commissioner Jacobs read the Fair Housing Month proclamation and thanked the Durham Board of Realtors for partnership work. The board proclaimed April 2025 as 2nd Chance Month and recognized local reentry work; Robin Heath, Assistant Director of Justice Services, and Ontario Joyner, the local reentry council coordinator, described upcoming events including an employment resource fair (downtown library, 1'4PM the following day), resume seminars (April 16 and April 30) and an April 24 diabetes education and free A1C testing event. "We always say reentry begins at entry," Joyner said when asked about timing of services.
The board also honored Elizabeth Catlett with a proclamation and heard from Eddie Davis about a related exhibit and book presentation to Hillside High School. Commissioner Burton presented the Black Maternal Health Week proclamation and urged the board to obtain updated maternal-health trend data from public health; the document cites disparities in maternal outcomes and recommends expanded supports including doulas and midwifery. Director Maggie Clapp and Lavelle Chesney described Child Abuse Prevention Month activities (pinwheel kickoff, wear-blue day, Family Pledge Day on April 16 and a day of service on April 30) and thanked county staff for ongoing child-protection work.
These proclamations are ceremonial recognitions that the board said aim to raise public awareness and connect residents with local events and services. County staff agreed to circulate event schedules and details to the clerk for posting in meeting minutes and the county agenda.
What happens next: County departments will continue to implement the events and programs noted in proclamations and share schedules and materials with the board and public information office.
