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Home My WebLink About210-21 RESOLUTION113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville. AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 Resolution: 210-21 File Number: 2021-0612 COMMISSION TO PRESERVE HISTORICAL BLACK STRUCTURES AND CEMETERIES: A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION TO PRESERVE HISTORICAL BLACK STRUCTURES AND CEMETERIES AND TO CREATE BLACK HISTORICAL MARKERS IN FAYETTEVILLE WHEREAS, Black families have lived and worked in Fayetteville for over a century and a half. and WHEREAS. although Fayetteville's black population has historically been a small percentage of Fayetteville's total population, the vision and activism of those Black families and individuals have, in concert with White allies, created and fostered progressive ideals of racial harmony, integration, and equality long before many other Southern cities; and WHEREAS, as soon as the United State Supreme Court struct down Arkansas's mandatory segregation laws, the Fayetteville School Board working with our Black community became the first large School District in Arkansas to rapidly begin integrating our public schools; and WHEREAS. the City of Fayetteville also began to rapidly integrate its public facilities including all city parks. the city pool. and other facilities without the racist backlash suffered by many other Southern cities; and WHEREAS, the struggle for equality by Fayetteville's Black citizens should be memorialized and its accomplishments recognized by historical markers and important Black structures and cerneteries should be preserved as the history of the vital foundation for the welcoming and diverse community that we have now become. Page 1 Printed on 8118121 Resolution: 210-21 File Number.' 2021-0612 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section l: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville. Arkansas hereby establishes the Commission To Preserve Historical Black Structures and Cemeteries and To Create Black Historical Markers to reco-nize the struggles and achievements of our Black citizens to promote diversity and equality and to oppose discrimination against any person in Fayetteville. PASSED and APPROVED on 8/17/2021 Attest: NA .�Q.- .r•6 • Kara Paxton, City Clerk Treas4er IN 11 `0"� Page 2 Printed on 8118121 City of Fayetteville, Arkansas 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479)575-8323 Text File File Number: 2021-0612 Agenda Date: 8/17/2021 Version: 1 Status: Passed In Control: City Council Meetinq File Type: Resolution Agenda Number: C.7 COMMISSION TO PRESERVE HISTORICAL BLACK STRUCTURES AND CEMETERIES: A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION TO PRESERVE HISTORICAL BLACK STRUCTURES AND CEMETERIES AND TO CREATE BLACK HISTORICAL MARKERS IN FAYETTEVILLE WHEREAS, Black families have lived and worked in Fayetteville for over a century and a half, and WHEREAS, although Fayetteville's black population has historically been a small percentage of Fayetteville's total population, the vision and activism of those Black families and individuals have, in concert with White allies, created and fostered progressive ideals of racial harmony, integration, and equality long before many other Southern cities; and WHEREAS, as soon as the United State Supreme Court struct down Arkansas's mandatory segregation laws, the Fayetteville School Board working with our Black community became the first large School District in Arkansas to rapidly begin integrating our public schools; and WHEREAS, the City of Fayetteville also began to rapidly integrate its public facilities including all city parks, the city pool, and other facilities without the racist backlash suffered by many other Southern cities; and WHEREAS, the struggle for equality by Fayetteville's Black citizens should be memorialized and its accomplishments recognized by historical markers and important Black structures and cemeteries should be preserved as the history of the vital foundation for the welcoming and diverse community that we have now become. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby establishes the Commission To Preserve Historical Black Structures and Cemeteries and To Create Black Historical Markers to recognize the struggles and achievements of our Black citizens to promote diversity and equality and to oppose discrimination against any person in Fayetteville. City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Page 1 Printed on 811812021 Legistar ID No.: ZL AGENDA REQUEST FORM FOR: Council Meeting of August 17, 2021 FROM: Council Member D'Andre Jones ORDINANCE OR RESOLUTION TITLE AND SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION TO PRESERVE HISTORICAL BLACK STRUCTURES AND CEMETERIES AND TO CREATE BLACK HISTORICAL MARKERS IN FAYETTEVILL APPROVED FOR AGENDA: �} r LuL4 Council Memb r D'Andre Jones Date r City Att4v7Williams Date Approved as to form Pennington, Blake From: D'Andre Jones <dre91732000@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, August 4, 2021 12:58 PM To: Williams, Kit Cc: Pennington, Blake Subject: Re: Resolution preserving Fayetteville Black History CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Fayetteville. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Hello Kit I approve of the wording Sent from my iPhone On Aug 4, 2021, at 12:55 PM, Williams, Kit <kwilliams@fayetteville-ar.gov> wrote: D'Andre, Please either sign this agenda request or just reply to this email that I can note on the request that you have approved it. Then I can get it on the agenda at 2:30 today. Kit From: D'Andre Jones <dre91732000@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 03, 2021 3:22 PM To: Williams, Kit <kwilliams@fayetteville-ar.gov> Subject: Re: Resolution preserving Fayetteville Black History CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Fayetteville. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Thanks Kit this is perfect!! Sent from my iPhone On Aug 3, 2021, at 3:20 PM, Williams, Kit <kwilliams fayetteville-ar.gov> wrote: D'Andre, The State law governing Historic Districts in Arkansas does not allow the type of subcommittee you suggest. However, I have prepared a Resolution for your consideration which would create a Commission To Preserve Black Historical Structures and Cemeteries and To Create Black Historical Markers. This would have to be an advisory commission just like all the other volunteer citizen committees, but it could make recommendations to the City Council about possible preservation efforts and historical markers. The City Council would continue to be the only entity that could 1 actually approve expenditures of revenue. All state revenue laws and regulations would also have to be obeyed. Kit From: D'Andre Jones <dro917320.00 a mail.coi> Sent: Thursday, July 29, 20214:01 PM To: Williams, Kit <kwilliarns fa ette�. ov> Subject: Resolution preserving Fayetteville Black History CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the City of Fayetteville. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. The first half of the 20th century shaped Black Americans' identity and influence on the United States. In reaction to racist actions and laws in that period, Black neighborhoods provided a sense of belonging, serving as space not only to garner wealth but also to celebrate Black culture in a unique and authentic way. During this time, a Black cultural identity began to emerge, but Black Americans were still significantly affected by key events such as Jim Crow, segregation and desegregation, and the assassinations of key Civil Rights leaders. These events impacted individual livelihoods and the fate of these neighborhoods. Many of these communities disintegrated because of factors such as gentrification and outright racism, while others continue to rebuild and evolve. However, the history of these neighborhoods has often been hidden and not fully recognized. As a way of honoring Black excellence and their full rich history, the National Trust is exploring nine "Black Wall Streets" across the country where African American businesses districts flourished and served as examples of Black economic self -empowerment. Fayetteville, Arkansas is no different. Therefore, I am proposing a resolution to preserve black history throughout the city. The proposal will also include establishing a historic black historic district committee comprised of black native Fayetteville residents. This will be a subcommittee of the Fayetteville Historic District and will be appointed by Mayor Jordan. This subcommittee will continue to preserve the rich and forgotten black history with city support including identifying the proper location to place markers highlighting historic streets including the Holler and Tin Cup. The resolution is also asking for special consideration concerning adding an African American native to the Fayetteville Historic 2 Commission. A reunion for native African American Fayetteville residents will be held Labor Day weekend in Walker Saturday, September 4th. We are hoping the city council passes the resolution and Mayor Jordan signs it at the inaugural reunion event. Eventually, the Historic Black District of Fayetteville will be identified on the state and national historic registries, and National Trust for Historic Preservation as we work with Mary McGetrick and staff. Fayetteville will join Greenwood/Black Wall Street —Tulsa, Oklahoma Hayti District —Durham, North Carolina Harlem —New York, New York U Street —Washington, D.C. Tenth Street Historic District —Dallas, Texas The Fourth Avenue District —Birmingham, Alabama Jackson Ward —Richmond, Virginia Seventh Street —West Oakland, California Sweet Auburn Historic District —Atlanta, GA Best Regards, D'Andre L. Jones - MSW, MA Fayetteville City Council Ward 1 Position 2 "Everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. <Resolution to establish the commission to preserve black builidngs and cemetaries.docx> <Agenda Request for D'Andre Jones black history comm.docx> 3 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION TO PRESERVE HISTORICAL BLACK STRUCTURES AND CEMETERIES AND TO CREATE BLACK HISTORICAL MARKERS IN FAYETTEVILLE WHEREAS, Black families have lived and worked in Fayetteville for over a century and a half, and WHEREAS, although Fayetteville's black population has historically been a small percentage of Fayetteville's total population, the vision and activism of those Black families and individuals have, in concert with White allies, created and fostered progressive ideals of racial harmony, integration, and equality long before many other Southern cities; and WHEREAS, as soon as the United State Supreme Court struct down Arkansas's mandatory segregation laws, the Fayetteville School Board working with our Black community became the first large School District in Arkansas to rapidly begin integrating our public schools; and WHEREAS, the City of Fayetteville also began to rapidly integrate its public facilities including all city parks, the city pool, and other facilities without the racist backlash suffered by many other Southern cities; and WHEREAS, the struggle for equality by Fayetteville's Black citizens should be memorialized and its accomplishments recognized by historical markers and important Black structures and cemeteries should be preserved as the history of the vital foundation for the welcoming and diverse community that we have now become. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby establishes the Commission To Preserve Historical Black Structures and Cemeteries and To Create Black Historical Markers to recognize the struggles and achievements of our Black citizens to promote diversity and equality and to oppose discrimination against any person in Fayetteville. Section 2: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby determines that this Commission should work in collaboration with the Fayetteville Historic District Commission, the Washington County Historical Society, and the Washington County Remembrance Project and provide guidance and recommendations to the City Council concerning possible street name changes. PASSED and APPROVED this 17�h day of August, 2021. APPROVED: ATTEST: By: By: LIONELD JORDAN, Mayor KARA PAXTON, City Clerk/Treasurer