BELLEFONTE — Bellefonte is celebrating February 2026 as Black History Month by recognizing the enduring contributions of African Americans to the borough, state and nation.

The proclamation naming February as Black History Month in the borough was accepted by local Black community leaders, who reflected on the month’s significance in today’s society.

Because Mayor Gene “Buddy” Johnson was not present, the proclamation was read by Council Member Joanne Tosti-Vasey.

It noted that recognizing the struggles and achievements of African Americans fosters understanding, appreciation and unity among all of Bellefonte’s residents, while education of their history promotes awareness of past injustices and encourages ongoing efforts toward equality, justice and inclusivity in the community.

“I am really excited and happy that Bellefonte is doing a proclamation for Black History,” said Terry Watson, leader of Campus and Community in Unity and associate director of Student Disability Services for the Chaiken Center of Student Success at Penn State.

“Each February we take time to reflect on the contribution of African Americans throughout the United States, and one of the things that I’ve been mindful of is that this year is also the 250th anniversary of this country,” he said.

Watson noted that the theme for 2026’s Black History Month, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” honors 100 years of preserving African American history.

With this year’s theme, Watson said he is encouraged that the proclamation will remind Bellefonte residents “that the story of freedom and independence in this country cannot be told without us, and our history cannot be celebrated without us.”

Leslie Liang, director of Adult Learner Programs and Services at Penn State and 2023 Forum of Black Affairs Humanitarian of the Year, built on Watson’s remarks with additional historical context. She explained that in 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson and Minister Jesse Moorland created Negro History Week, which was the first concerted effort to highlight African American contributions during a period when mainstream history largely ignored them. The observance later expanded into a monthlong celebration, first on college campuses in 1970 and then nationally in 1976 when President Gerald Ford encouraged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

“Voting and education continue to play a vital role in advancing our rights, and it is presently under attack, making these proclamations urgent to us locally,” Liang said, referencing ongoing national debates and policy efforts surrounding voting access, classroom curriculum standards and how history and race are taught in schools. “We celebrate culture, we build awareness, engagement, empathy and we grow a sense of belonging in our local communities when we do this.”

Carline Crevecoeur, president of the State College AAUW, who was also in attendance for the proclamation, said “Black History Month is not just a celebration, it’s a declaration. It’s our refusal to be erased, rewritten or reduced to footnotes.”

She said in light of the presidential administration’s efforts to “negate, distort and rewrite our history, this month matters now more than ever.”

“When books are banned, when classrooms are silenced, when the truth is labeled divisive, we must remember truth is not dangerous, but erasure is,” Crevecoeur said.

She added that Black History is the story of builders, innovators, freedom fighters, educators, healers, artists and dreamers who shaped the nation, even when it refused to acknowledge them.

“We cherish this month because our ancestors survived what was meant to break them, and still with that they created culture, science, justice movements and hope,” said Crevecoeur.

After their statements, Liang invited the community to attend the 100-year celebration of Black History Month at the Beads & Brilliance Gala on Friday, Feb. 27, at 3 Dots Downtown, 137 E. Beaver Ave., State College. The event will run from 6 to 9 p.m. and will feature history, food, dancing and fundraising for the 1865 Freedom Legacy Scholarship, which last year was awarded to a Bellefonte High School graduate.