On January 31, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memo titled “Identity Months Dead at DoD” that terminated the celebration of Black History Month for the foreseeable future.
“Our unity and purpose are instrumental to meeting the Department’s warfighting mission,” reads the memo. “Efforts to divide the force – to put one group ahead of another – erode camaraderie and threaten mission execution.
Other months canceled are Women’s History Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Pride Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and National American Indian Heritage Month.
Localities are not under the jurisdiction of the federal government and many across the Commonwealth of Virginia are reaffirming their commitment to a commemoration that dates back to 1926 when a historian named Carter Woodson began a week-long celebration of history that was later extended to a full month.
This week both the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors and Charlottesville City Council honored Black History Month with proclamations, a regular feature at the beginning of meetings. Council went first on February 3.
“The City of Charlottesville acknowledges the significant contributions and sacrifices made by African Americans in our community and throughout the nation, often in the face of great adversity,” reads the proclamation as read by Mayor Juandiego Wade.
Wade said the city specifically recognizes the Vinegar Hill neighborhood which was the subject of an urban renewal project in the 1960’s that displaced many Black families and business owners. The proclamation recommits the city to efforts to promote equity and inclusion.
“Black History Month serves as an opportunity for residents of Charlottesville to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of African Americans, to educate ourselves about Black history, and to work toward a more just and equitable future,” Wade said.
On the fifth day of Black History Month 2025, the Albemarle Board of Supervisors adopted a proclamation marking the 99th anniversary of the occasion.
“We, the Albemarle Board of Supervisors, do hereby honor and celebrate Black History Month as an opportunity for all county residents to recognize and support the social, physical and cultural contributions of Black Americans and to take meaningful actions to create a more equitable and inclusive community for all,” said Supervisor Diantha McKeel.
The proclamation was accepted by Rebecca Kinney, the president of the Board of Directors for St. John Family Life and Fitness Center. That’s the name of the organization that is renovating a small school building constructed in 1922 for Black residents.
“The St. John Family Life and Fitness Center stands on the foundation of the historical St. John Rosenwald School, a school that once provided education to Black children during segregation when opportunities were scarce or non-existent,” Kinney said.
The St. John Family Life and Fitness Center is the subject of a recent historic marker installed to commemorate the role Rosenwald Schools played across Virginia.
Jack Jouett Supervisor Diantha McKeel said she was a teacher in the early 70s.
“During those years, February was my favorite teaching month because the school supported Black History Month,” McKeel said. “And the school support enabled me to highlight the achievements of African Americans and to teach about those African Americans who were important to our nation’s history. And it also empowered me to include black history into my curriculum throughout the year.”
Supervisor Ned Gallaway took the opportunity to read a quote from Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), the minority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. On January 23, 2025, Jeffries responded to an executive order from the White House seeking to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are American values. Perhaps I can explain. The motto of the United States of America is E Pluribus Unum. Out of many, one. That’s diversity. The 14th amendment to the United States Constitution, one of the most important amendments in our country, provides equal protection under the law. That’s equity in this country. We pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, a flag that we just presented to the new president and vice president. And in that pledge, we promise one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. A L L. That’s inclusion.”
You can read the statement here .
Supervisor Michael Pruitt of the Scottsville District said he works as a civil rights lawyer and it’s important to not freeze Black history in amber because there is still more work to be done.
“I am still suing landlords every day for the things they do against Black people,” Pruitt said. “In fact, there are more lawsuits, vindicated lawsuits, right? Like folks who win on claiming discrimination on the basis of race now than there were when we passed the Civil Rights Act, than there were around the time that Dr. King was shot. Segregation indexes are higher in many parts of Virginia now than they were in the 60s.”
For additional references and to learn more, I’ve cut and pasted these links from the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s website.
- Events at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
- Events with the Black Professional Network of Charlottesville
- Events with the UVA Office of African-American Affairs
- Explore Charlottesville and Albemarle County’s Black History
- Events and resources from JMRL
Listen to this story:
For more on the St. John Family Life and Fitness Center, take a look at this video:
Before you go: This is a story produced by Town Crier Productions, currently a one-person operation that seeks to cover what’s coming up in local and regional government as well as as much of what’s happened. This post pieces together stories from the February 5, 2025 edition and the February 7, 2025 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement. There will be changes in 2025 so stay tuned! If you would like to contribute, you can either subscribe through Substack or sign up through the Patreon.
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