Celebrating Black History Month |
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Join the Office of Equity in Celebrating Black History Month, a time to honor the tremendous impact of Black historical figures and events in the United States, and the cultural affluence within the Black American community. |
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The breadth of figures and moments we can reflect on during Black History Month is expansive. Today, we uplift the evolution of what we now know to be "Black History Month." The excerpt below comes from an NPR piece on its origins.
“[Carter G. Woodson] envisioned a weeklong celebration to encourage the coordinated teaching of Black history in public schools. He designated the second week of February as Negro History Week and galvanized fellow historians through the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, which he founded in 1915.”
“The idea eventually grew in acceptance, and by the late 1960s, Negro History Week had evolved into what is now known as Black History Month. Protests around racial injustice, inequality and anti-imperialism that were occurring in many parts of the U.S. were pivotal to the change. Colleges and universities also began to hold commemorations, with Kent State University being one of the first, according to Kaplan. Fifty years after the first celebrations, President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month during the country's 1976 bicentennial.”
The article further breaks down the significance of celebrating during the month of February, and mentions that a new theme for Black History Month is created every year. This year’s theme is Black Health and Wellness. Click below to learn more!
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The Office Equity is still accepting applications for Khmer and Tagalog Language Access Specialists to support the implementation of the City's Language Access Policy and ensure that all members of the community have access to the City's programs, resources, and. Please use these links to apply! |
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Khmer Language Access Specialist:
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Tagalog Language Access Specialist:
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We want to introduce you to the people leading equity across the City. |
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Rebecca F. Kauma is the new Economic & Digital Inclusion Officer at The City of Long Beach! In this role, she is leading the City’s Economic and Digital Inclusion Initiatives to ensure that low-income communities and communities of color in Long Beach have the opportunities, resources and power they need to thrive economically. Rebecca strives to uplift and empower communities most in need through equitable, inclusive and culturally competent programs, practices, policies and systems change efforts. She is the recipient of the 2020 Charles Benton Digital Equity Champion Award. This national award recognizes outstanding leadership and dedication in advancing digital equity and inclusion and addressing the digital divide. Rebecca has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA) with an emphasis on Healthcare Policy from The American University School of Public Affairs. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Administration (BSHA) from California State University, Northridge. |
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Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative: One Year Update |
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Last week, we provided updates on the implementation of the Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative to the City Council. Our presentation highlighted successes, challenges, promising practices, emerging priorities, and next steps throughout 2021, including: |
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- Organizational capacity building
- Recruiting Departmental Racial Equity Champions
- Facilitating Racial Equity 101 Trainings
- Increasing the use and public availability of data
- Re-evaluating the role and function of the Human Relations Commission
- Investing in upstream measures for community safety, such as violence prevention and interruption
- Investing in youth development
- Developing the roles and responsibilities of unarmed civilian response to non-violent crimes
- Evaluation of the Citizens' Police Complaint Commission
- Creating a non-police civilian response team for mental health-related crises
- Structural investments in health equity
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Recovery investments in housing, food security, child and youth development, digital inclusion, and economic equity.
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You can watch our presentation here, and view the One-Year Update here.
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Long Beach Early Childhood Education Symposium: March 26 from 8am to 4pm |
The Long Beach Early Childhood Education Symposium theme this year is "Early Educators: The Heroes of Our Community". Session topics will include: Science, Social Emotional Development, Technology, Temperament, Engineering, Enrichment, Arts, Assessment, Math and Management. Click below for more information. |
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Parks, Recreation, and Marine Hiring for Rec Leaders |
The Community Recreation Services Bureau, in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, is seeking Recreation Program Leaders to assist with a wide range of programs at Long Beach's many beautiful parks. Click below for more information. |
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Black Mental Health Request for Qualifications |
The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services is seeking Black-serving mental health providers to provide culturally affirming mental health services to under- and uninsured Black Long Beach residents experiencing negative mental and emotional well-being. The deadline to apply is Monday, February 14, 2021
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The City of Long Beach has COVID-19 testing options available seven days a week. To learn the schedule and make an appointment, visit https://bit.ly/3EpBy24 or call 562.570.4636.
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2022 Long Beach Homeless Count Update |
The 2022 Homeless Count is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 24, from 5 am to 10 am. If interested, there are still volunteer slots left to fill. Please use this link to register.
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Equity and Human Relations Commission |
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Join us for the next EHRC meeting tomorrow,
Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 6 pm.
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Join by Phone: (213) 338-8477
Webinar ID: 961 8932 7598
Meeting Passcode: 228217
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