Black History Month gets panel's OK

City councilmembers gave authority to committee to commemorate some dates

There will still be a Black History Month in Temecula.

The Temecula City Council agreed in January to no longer proclaim special months to celebrate ethnic and other groups, but pushed that ability to the city’s diversity committee.

Now, the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Commission officially proclaimed February as African American History Month in the city at its Thursday meeting.

Some councilmembers, including James “Stew” Stewart, said such proclamations made by the council would “exclude people.”

At Thursday’s meeting, according to a video of the session, committee Chair Jackie Steed told the Black community: “This is an inclusionary space. We welcome you here and we’re thrilled to honor you during Black History Month.”

City Clerk Randi Johl said Friday that Steed had no further comment. Other members of the commission could not be reached for comment.

A presentation on African American History Month was made to the commission, which recognized Black Student Union members from four Temecula Valley Unified School District high schools, according to the agenda.

The commission is also set to declare and officially announce the following commemorations during its meetings on the following dates:

• Women’s History Month,

March 9.

• Arab American Heritage Month, April 13.

• Asian American and Native Hawaiian/pacific Islander and Jewish Heritage months, May 11.

• Pride Month, June 8.

• Hispanic/ Latino Heritage Month, Sept. 14.

• Native American Heritage Month, Nov. 9.

On May 20, Temecula will host Culturefest, a free event with activities and entertainment at the Temecula Civic Center. The festival will “showcase many different cultures and traditions,” according to the city’s website.

Seven Temecula residents were appointed to the diversity committee, which was created in 2020. The group addresses and reviews issues of diversity and inclusion, according to the city’s website.

It meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in the council chambers.