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The City of College Park believes that
BLACK LIVES MATTER
and has resolved to seek out and confront systemic racism


Click to learn more about the following CIty Initiatives:

Continuing the Conversation Virtual Forum Series
Black Lives Matter Banners
City Proclamations
GARE Participation



CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION: COMMUNITY & RACE RELATIONS VIRTUAL FORUMS

The City of College Park is bringing together a cross section of our community to discuss race relations and how we can begin healing. This will be a chance for knowledgeable and invested voices to share space to discuss the importance of real change and how to move forward. The purpose is to have an honest conversation, not a debate. 

On June 30, 2020, the City of College Park brought together a cross section of our community to discuss race relations and how we can begin healing. This was a chance for knowledgeable and invested voices to share space to discuss the importance of real change and how to move forward. The purpose was to have an honest conversation, not a debate.  Panelists included representatives from: Prince George’s County & UMD Police Departments, State, County, and Local Elected Officials, Experts in the Field of Racial Equity, and Community Members. 

On September 25, 2020 the second Virtual Forum’s topic focused on Policing and Black Lives Matter.  Panelists included the Prince George's County Police Department, Dr. Oscar Barbarin (Professor and Chair of the University of Maryland's African American Studies Department), and Dr. Kim Nickerson (Assistant Dean for Diversity, Diversity Officer and Equity Administrator for the University of Maryland's College of Behavioral and Social Sciences).  

The third virtual forum on November 5, 2020's topic was on Racial Equity.  Panelists included Dr. Stephen Thomas of the University of Maryland's School of Public Health, State Delegate Joselin Peña-Melnyk, and City staff.

Watch the recorded forums below.



SAVE THE DATE:

Part 4

January 25 |  7:00 p.m.  |  https://zoom.us/j/99141911702

 Panelist Information Coming Soon


Black LIves Matter Banners

In July 2020, the City placed banners around the City declaring its support of Black lives.

Banners were placed around the City Hall project construction fencing, Duvall Field and at the City's Department of Public Works.  

  1. BLM Banner Duvall Field
  2. BLM Banner 3 Duvall Field
  3. BLM Banner 2 Duvall Field
  4. BLM Banner 2 City Hall
  5. BLM Banner 1 City Hall

City Proclamations

proclamation for 
juneteenth national freedom day

The City’s Mayor and Council has proclaimed and recognized that June 19, 2020 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day to acknowledge the historical significance of the day, and to recommit the City to working toward the dismantling of institutionalized racism. 

Juneteenth, or June 19th, is celebrated each year as the date when the last enslaved people in the United States were freed, and commemorates the spontaneous celebration that erupted among African-Americans upon learning of their freedom.

Juneteenth National Freedom Day recalls how former slaves celebrated the abolishment of slavery with excitement and great joy, and serves as a reminder to all Americans of the status and importance of Americans of African descent.

On June 9, 2020, the City of College Park’s Mayor and Council passed Resolution 20-R-16 Renouncing Systemic Racism and Declaring Support of Black Lives. 


RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLLEGE PARK RENOUNCING SYSTEMIC RACISM AND DECLARING SUPPORT OF BLACK LIVES 

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council acknowledge that certain public policies have created wide disparities of well-being and opportunity among Black people in College Park and throughout the United States; and 

WHEREAS, many of these policies and actions have led to systemic racism in our community and country; and 

WHEREAS, the enormous consequence of systemic racism in our community and across the country is that opportunities for employment, housing, safety, wealth, education, health, and other conditions of life quality have been denied or diminished for Black people; and 

WHEREAS, Black people are rightly outraged by this country’s devaluation of Black life and humanity; and 

WHEREAS, Black people have been targeted, profiled, injured and murdered by law enforcement throughout this country at inexplicable rates; and 

WHEREAS, the City of College Parks is comprised of 15% Black residents; and 

WHEREAS, past practice and policy of the City of College Park have systemically disadvantaged black residents and the historically black community of Lakeland; and 

WHEREAS, these residents deserve justice, fair treatment, and recognition of their valuable contributions to our community without fear. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of College Park must explicitly, directly, consciously, and painstakingly seek out and confront systemic racism; and it is further 

RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council acknowledge and apologize for our city’s past history of oppression, particularly with regards to the Lakeland community, and actively seek opportunities for accountability and truth-telling about past injustice, and aggressively seek opportunities for restorative justice; and it is further 

RESOLVED, that the City of College Park will examine our history and all current policies and programs for evidence of disparate impact based on race and ethnicity; and it is further 

RESOLVED, that we will determine if any of our actions, deliberate or unintended, create barriers to equal participation and opportunity for Black people in our community; and it is further 

RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council will actively involve and learn from Black people so that we can collectively create policies and practices eliminating barriers to participation, equality, and opportunity; it is further 

RESOLVED that the Mayor and Council believe that Black Lives Matter. 

ADOPTED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of College Park, Maryland, at a regular meeting on June 9, 2020, and effective immediately. 



Government alliance on Race & Equity (GARE)

Since late 2019, City staff have joined and participated in the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE). Th e Alliance is a national network of government entities working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all.

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