2022 Swampscott Black History Month Proclamation

Sign onto the proclamation HERE or email afiske@swampscottma.gov.


WHEREAS: February is Black History Month and we call upon the Citizens and Public and Local officials of the Town of Swampscott to honor the history and achievements of Black Americans and to reflect on the centuries of struggle that have brought us to this historic moment of time to live up to the founding principles of our Nation and the Town of Swampscott – that all people are created equal and have the right to be treated equally throughout their lives; and

WHEREAS: This observance affords a special opportunity to become more knowledgeable about Black heritage, and to honor Black citizens who have contributed to Swampscott’s economic, cultural, spiritual, and political development: and

WHEREAS: After the Civil War, Exodusters migrated from the South and settled in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; they brought with them the desire for economic opportunities, freedom from oppression and harassment, and freedom to create their own lives; these settlers played an important role in settling the State of Massachusetts and the Town of Swampscott, as well as the rest of the United States; and

WHEREAS: In 1915, Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, noted Black scholar and son of former slaves, founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, which was later renamed the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH); and

WHEREAS: Dr. Woodson initiated Black History Week, February 12, 1926; and for many years, the second week of February, chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, was celebrated by Black peoples in the United States, and

WHEREAS: In 1976, as part of the nation’s bicentennial, Black History Week was expanded and became established as Black History Month, and is now celebrated all over North America, Canada and Europe; and

WHEREAS: While the observance of Black History Month calls our Town’s attention to the continued need to battle racism and to build a society that lives up to it democratic ideals, this year’s celebrations and recognition of Black History Month are especially significant as we reflect on the historic challenges facing our community and our Nation at this time; and

WHEREAS: We acknowledge that Black History is American History - stories and facts fully interwoven in the political, economic, cultural, scientific, and democratic fabric that make up our great Nation;

WHEREAS: The Town of Swampscott, continues to be anguished by the MURDER of George Floyd and it remains a shocking failure that many Black peoples, especially young Black men and women, are unfairly harassed and threatened and unjustly treated in our own community and country; and

WHEREAS: We are proud to celebrate Black History Month and pledge our continued commitment to build a welcoming community – one that reflects the full talents and diversity of the American people and that heralds many recent firsts, including Swampscott’s First Juneteenth Celebration, among other firsts in Town and Community that is committed to build a future that is inclusive and ready to confront deep racial inequities and the systemic racism that continue to plague our community and Nation; and

WHEREAS:The Town of Swampscott commits to doing everything in our power to demand that we all seek a greater understanding and implement changes to ensure that racism and the unjust treatment of any person is not tolerated in any way or form within the town of Swampscott.  

WHEREAS:  Swampscott Unites Respects Embraces (S.U.R.E) Diversity will host a Black History Month celebration - Black History is OUR History: A Town-wide Celebration of Poetry and Reflections - featuring Swampscott Poet, Enzo Surin on February 28, 2022, on Zoom.

Now, Therefore, the Town of Swampscott hereby establishes that February 2022 to be: "Black History Month" in the Town of Swampscott, Massachusetts and encourage all faith based and non-profit organizations, residents, businesses, civic and public institutions to acknowledge, honor, value and celebrate Black Citizens and celebrate our diverse heritage and culture and continue our efforts to create a world that is more just, peaceful and prosperous for all.

In Witness Whereof, we have here unto set our hands and caused to be affixed the GREAT Seal of the Town of Swampscott, Massachusetts, this 2nd day of February, 2022.

Polly Titcomb, Select Board Chair
Neal Duffy, Select Board Vice Chair
David Grishman, Select Board Member
Don Hause, Select Board Member
Peter Spellios, Select Board Member
Sean Fitzgerald, Town Administrator
Allie Fiske
Karen Bonner
Aaron Berdofe
Swampscott Racial Justice Action Group
Brittney Jones
Sabrina Clopton
Heidi Whear 
Kristine Latour Kennedy
Aidan Bonner
Natalie Swanstrom
Justin Snow
Geralyn Stephan
Suzie Kuhl 
Amy L Sarro
Alison Leiby
Joel Leiby
Cynthia Cavallaro 
Al Pica
Isabelle Cilley
Elana Zabar
Roxana Perdue
Amy Grishman
Krista Buonanduci 
William R DiMento
Peg Martin-Epstein
Estelle Lincoln 
Jason Lincoln
Mary Hobbins DeChillo
Kathryn Thurman 
Swati Kelkar 
Thomas P. Hennessey
Laura Coppola Spathanas
Melissa Foye
Debra Offenhartz
Marsha Dalton
Marty Guerin
Kristin Roda
Vera Belitsky 
Britt Godshalk
Douglas Thompson
Robert van lith
Bonnie Lavoie 
Lisa Julien-Hayes
Cole Hayes
Maureen Thomsen
Paula Bdiwi
Keli Khatib 
Miriam Levy
Ann Scibelli
Deirdre James
Sarah Plymate
Debbie Friedlander
Katy Jordan
Nick Weinand
Joshua L. Pritchard 
William C. Sullivan III
Ryan Judkins
Sue Burgess
Shelby Clark
Deborah Shelkan Remis
Jane H Wyman
Cynthia Kuell
Ingrid T Strong
Jeffrey Blonder
Sarah Amour
Christine Krom
Katie Anderson 
Lori Kraft
Marla F. Belostock
Kate Plapinger
Keiko Zoll
Shelli Jankowski-Smith
Gwen Sullivan
Louis Brown
Jorge A. Briones, Jr.
Janet Russell supports Black History Month
Chris Angwech
Patricia Buchanan
Rev. Dr. Anita Farber
Keith Plapinger
Christopher D. Clarke
Jim Peterson
Keith Plapinger
William D. Jones
Ralph W. Edwards
William D. Jones
Heather Roman
Peter Masucci
Catherine Esteverena
Deahn Leblang
Amy Lockerbie Smith
Jacqueline M. Lane
Enzo Silon Surin
Rev. Ian Holland, First Church Swampscott
Cassie Huddle
Carolina Velasquez
Terry Landon
Ingrid T Strong
Faith Peterson
Sierra Muñoz
Frances J Weiner
Karen Berdofe
Katie Arrington
Amanda Grant-Rose
Bridget J. Keane
Nathan Goldstein
Bob Baker
Edye Baker
Latoya Ogunbona
Michael McClung
Daniel R. Santanello
Victoria Mejia-Sorto
Amy Lockerbie Smith
Charles Warden
Rev. Dr. Anita Farber-Robertson
Tristan Smith
Alix Smullin
Brendan Gordinas
Margaret Eckman
Laura Kabel
Kaley Joyes
Randall Hughes
Trevor Henry
Frances Marshall 
Kim Nunnari
Michael Contreras 
Marc Kornitsky
Scott D. Burke
Martha Curry
Clark Sprague
Jean Bacon
Laurie Lebbon
Sherice Siegel
Margaret Somer
Ruth Hendrickson
Whitney L. White
Deva Djaafar
Maryellen O'Malley 
Suzanne Hale
Marla Belostock 
Joshua R. Einhorn
Gretchen Young
Donald Jones
Carin Doben
Ryan Hale
Molly Conner
Rosalie Kaufman
Ruth H Benning
Chris Norkun
Carolyn Jones
Pamela R. H. Angelakis
Jason Fabiszewski
Karen Fabiszewski
Shayne Spaulding 

Sign onto the proclamation HERE or email afiske@swampscottma.gov.