City Manager Brian L. Barroso, Commissioner Monica Haskell, Vice Mayor Lissette Carey, Mayor Danise “Deedee” Henriquez, and Commissioners Aaron Castillo, Donie Lee, and Sam Kaufman. Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover was in attendance via Zoom.

Mayor Danise “Deedee” Henriquez and the Key West City Commission proclaimed February as Black History Month during Tuesday’s regular meeting.

“Black History Month is a time to reflect on the many contributions made by African Americans to the country and to Key West’s economic, artistic, cultural, spiritual, educational, and political development,” reads the proclamation.

Commissioner Aaron Castillo accepted the honor.

“It gives me great pleasure,” he said, “to accept this for my heritage, which has long been not recognized. I’ve got tears in my eyes to know that we’re recognized.”

Black History Month grew out of the establishment, in 1926, of Negro History Week by Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

“The City of Key West continues to work toward becoming a community that embodies the ‘One Human Family’ philosophy,” reads the proclamation, “where all citizens — past, present, and future — are respected and treated equally.”

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