Title
Update on Cultural Heritage Initiatives: Black History Month
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney
MEETING DATE: February 4, 2020
DEPARTMENT: MPAC / Main Street & Community Events
CONTACT: Amy Rosenthal, Director
McKinney Main Street and McKinney Performing Arts Center
Mark Doty, Assistant Director of Planning
Development Services
Tonya Fallis, GIS Analyst
Information Technology
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
? No action required - discussion only
ITEM SUMMARY:
? In November 2018, Downtown McKinney was designated a Cultural District by the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA). The designation recognizes a high concentration of cultural assets within a walkable area.
? The Historic Downtown McKinney Cultural District was established with five core goals - to create: an environmentally pleasing district; a strong, unified district; a richly diverse district; a unique, one-of-a-kind district; and an economically vital district.
? In support of cultural diversity, efforts have been dedicated to learn and document more information about the contributions from people of color from within the district.
? Staff has worked in a cross-departmental team to help support a new website providing historical perspective, ‘Black History of McKinney, Texas’
? At the Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 4, Mayor Fuller will present a proclamation recognizing Black History Month.
? The ‘Black History of McKinney, Texas’ website will also be featured on Sunday, February 16, 2020 at McKinney Performing Arts Center during a panel discussion to launch a community conversation about ‘Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?’ by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This event is presented by the McKinney Public Library and Flourish Community-based Initiatives.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
? In 2019, members of the community assembled to capture stories and history of McKinney’s African-American citizens on video for a documentary. Prominent McKinney African-American educators were celebrated at a portrait unveiling at MPAC on February 23, and a community program was presented at Faubion Middle School on February 24, 2019 in honor of Black History Month.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
? No financial impact.