Feb 21, 2025
PHOTO PROVIDED Centre officials are pictured awarding a proclamation for Black History Month.
BELLEFONTE — At their weekly meeting, the Board of Commissioners proclaimed February Black History Month in Centre County.
The proclamation calls attention to and celebrates the contributions of African Americans in shaping the history, culture and community of Centre County.
“These proclamations are important,” said Commissioner Steve Dershem. “They’re important not just for the people here to receive them, but also for the community to remember why we’re here… Black History Month is a reminder of the accomplishments of so many people in our area.”
African Americans and Labor is the national theme for Black History Month in 2025. This theme urges people to reflect on African Americans’ instrumental role in the workforce across every industry.
Black History Month serves as a reminder not only to recognize the inequities in our communities that pose obstacles for African Americans but also to confront these inequities and strive toward being a more inclusive and just community.
Carmin Wong, dual-title PhD student in English Literature and African American and Diaspora Studies, said the celebration of Black History Month “must live on, in defiance of those who seek to silence it.”
Gary Abdullah thanked the commissioners for the proclamation, saying, “You’re standing by your convictions that you declared last year.”
“So as I thank you, I think we all laud the quiet courage being shown,” said Abdullah.
The board also approved an agreement for the Conservation District to fund and oversee a project to convert a 0.2-acre turf area to a native meadow.
The turf area, which is in front of the Willowbank Office Building in Bellefonte, will undergo a conservation makeover to include native meadows, shrubs and trees.
Director of Centre County’s Conservation District, Jim Coslo, mentioned the project will yield many environmental and practical benefits.
Environmentally, this conversion can improve wildlife in the area and produce better conditions for pollinators to thrive.
Practically, the area slated for conversion reduces the need for mowing in the area and requires less regular maintenance in the long run.
The Commissioners approved the project for up to $35,000 to be funded through the Conservation District’s Community Action Plan Grant.
Next steps for this project will include designing, bidding and construction, all of which will happen over the course of the next year.
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