DC Online

Daly City – The Daly City Parks and Recreation Department will host the 13th Annual Black History celebration on Saturday, February 19, 2005 at the Pacelli Event Center. Headlining the daylong festivities will be media personality Renel Brooks-Moon. Joining her at center stage will be Big Roy, her co-host from the 98.1 KISS-FM Morning Show, and Jesse Gary, a reporter at KTVU-Channel 2.

Soul food and soulful singing are expected to be the top attractions when the door opens at 10 a.m.. An array of ethnic vendor booths, local choir groups and artwork, as well as an essay writing contest, promise to keep guests entertained until closing time at 4 p.m..

“In recalling the past, we remember its lessons, and often have a better appreciation of the present. This February, Daly City celebrates Black History Month for the thirteenth consecutive year,” remarked Mayor Carol L. Klatt, who attended the first local celebration in 1992. “The Council joins President George W. Bush as our nation remembers the extraordinary history of African-Americans and reflects upon the significant contributions they have made in upholding the ideals of America.”

Originally established as Black History Week in 1926 by Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, the celebration of African American history expanded into the entire month of February in 1976, as part of the nation’s bicentennial. Every U.S. President since has signed a proclamation designating February as National African American History Month to honor the heritage and accomplishments of African Americans.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 36.4 million U.S. residents, or 12.9 per-cent of the total population, identified themselves in Census 2000 as Black or African-American, or African-American with one or more other races. Census 2000 reported that while 54 percent lived in the South, California is home to the second largest African-American population in the nation with 2.5 million, (New York topped other states with 3.2 million).

The February 19th event is open to the public. Ample parking is available at Westlake Park, adjacently located at 145 Lake Merced Boulevard in Daly City.

For additional information, contact the Daly City Parks and Recreation Department – Recreation Program Coordinator at (650) 991-8075, or via email at: awaters@dalycity.org