The Hall County Board of Commissioners Thursday approved proclamations that will observe August as Black Business and Philanthropy Month and July as Muslim American Heritage Month.
The Black Business and Philanthropy Month proclamation will be presented on August 5 at the 2023 Black Business Expo at Butler Park in Gainesville. Part of the proclamation also designates August as a time to recognize the Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network.
The recognition is an effort to celebrate community impact while also inspiring a greater investment in black communities by “fostering a spirit of empowerment and support,” the proclamation said.
A large portion of black-owned businesses reportedly operate in sectors including healthcare social services, repair and maintenance, advertising, auto dealerships, consulting, restaurants, barber shops, beauty salons and more. Thursday’s proclamation hopes to emphasize the role played by these industries.
Black Business and Philanthropy Month was also spurred on by the Northeast Georgia Black Business Alliance, whose mission is to invigorate the local economy, enhance education and support non-profit organizations in the area.
The Hall County Board of Commissioners resolution reads:
“[We] strongly encourage all community members to unite in acknowledging the invaluable contributions and significance of Black-owned businesses and non-profit organizations to our community and economy.”
The proclamation is also being passed in coordination with the City of Gainesville.
Two other proclamations were also passed during Thursday’s meeting.
The first is a proclamation that deems July as Muslim American Heritage Month in Hall County and the second is that July also be known as Parks and Recreation Month.
A major motivation to pass the Muslim American Heritage Month proclamation is to recognize the impact Muslims have had on the economy, culture, education and identity of Georgia and the United States, according to the resolution.
“There is a need for public education, awareness, discourse and policies that are culturally competent when describing, discussing, or addressing the impacts of being Muslim American,” the proclamation states.
