OHR February Newsletter - Director’s Message
February may be the shortest month, but this year it carries profound significance. One hundred years ago, historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson sparked a movement to ensure that Black History would never be forgotten. Today, as we mark a century of Black History commemorations, we carry forward that promise and recognize the stories, triumphs, and sacrifices of Black Americans. As Mayor Bowser reminds us, “DC history is Black history. And we know that it is the responsibility of each generation to preserve that history and to pass it on.”
Decades after Dr. Woodson’s vision in February 1926 created a national moment of reflection, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling on Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
This year’s observance also arrives at a moment of mourning, as we honor the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in civil rights advocacy whose voice and courage strengthened the moral landscape of the District and our nation. He often reminded us that “we must go forward with hope and not backward by fear and division,” a message that feels especially urgent today. In reflecting on Jackson’s passing, Rev. Al Sharpton captured the moment powerfully: “Today we mourn. But we do not retreat. We pray for the Jackson family to carry the torch. The greatest way to honor Reverend Jesse Jackson is not in memory alone, but in movement. He taught us to keep marching. He taught us to keep organizing. He taught us that justice is never given, it is demanded.”
With this spirit in mind, our office is hosting a meaningful conversation on how the DC Human Rights Act - one of the nation’s most progressive civil rights laws - continues to shape and energize advocacy in our city today. Featuring panelists with diverse expertise and lived experiences, this discussion will explore the crucial questions we must confront together as we work to move the District closer to becoming a more just city for all. Please see the flyer below for details and register to join the conversation.
Earlier this month, we also launched office hours in partnership with the Mayor’s Office on Returning Citizen Affairs, which will continue through March. Expanding accessibility and meeting community members where they are remains a core priority for the agency. You can find more details in the flyer below, and we encourage you to stay tuned for additional office hours in neighborhoods across the city.
As we celebrate a century of Black History commemorations and honor the contributions of Black Americans, we also acknowledge the responsibility before us: to continue the work, progress, and courage of the generations who came before. This commitment cannot be confined to a single month. It must be a daily reminder that the path toward justice and equality is ongoing, and that meaningful change is possible when we move forward together with intention and hope.
I invite you to join OHR in carrying this work forward - through engagement, partnership, and a shared dedication to building a more inclusive DC for our families, our neighbors, and our communities.
In Solidarity,
Elizabeth Fox-Solomon