City of Lacey celebrates Black History Month, joins Black Home Initiative 

The City of Lacey officially proclaimed February as Black History Month, recognizing the invaluable contributions of Black and African Americans to the community and the nation.  

The proclamation, read in by the city council on Tuesday, Feb. 4 meeting, acknowledged the first enslaved Africans brought to the Americas in 1619 and the continued efforts to exclude Black Americans from full political, economic and social opportunities, even after the abolishment of slavery.

It also celebrated Black Americans' "invaluable and lasting contributions" to all aspects of society. 

“Despite (the) abhorrent attempts to enslave and then exclude them as a result of their determination, hard work, and perseverance, blacks have made invaluable and lasting contributions to our community, the state, the nation and the world, achieving exceptional success in all aspects of society, including business, education, politics, science, medicine, the military, sports and the art,” the proclamation states. 

On behalf of the city council, Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder expressed a commitment to "creating a community where everyone feels safe and welcome" and recognized the "continued need to dismantle racism and build a society that lives up to its democratic ideals." 

The city's commitment was appreciated.

“This recognition is more than a ceremonial gesture; it's a testament to the city's commitment to acknowledging and celebrating the rich contribution of Black Americans both past and present,” noted representatives from the Pearl Foundation of Puget Sound, a charitable organization based in Lacey.

Members of the said foundation accepted the proclamation, emphasizing the recognition "is not only an honor but also challenges us to continue fostering equity, inclusion, and opportunity for future generations." 

"Black history is American history. It is the story of resilience, innovation, and courage in the face of adversity," the members added.  

The proclamation aligns with the city's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Strategic Plan, which aims to address systemic inequities and foster a more inclusive community. 

Lacey joins Black Home Initiative 

In a separate agenda item, the city council unanimously voted to join the Black Home Initiative, a regional effort to increase homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income Black households. 

 Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelley-Fong explained that the initiative focuses on growing the pool of available homes for purchase, supporting Black households who want to buy a house and obtain a mortgage, and improving collaboration among private, public and nonprofit organizations. 

“Some of the partner principles for joining is to strive to right the wrongs of past discriminatory practices to honor that this is a very complex issue, and one thing isn't going to take care of the entire issue,” Kelley-Fong said.