City of Kyle kicks off February with Black History Month, 2 additional proclamations

The Kyle City Council recognized February as Black History Month while also dedicating additional proclamations for career education and the increased awareness of dating violence.

Presented by Councilmember Dex Ellison, Kyle’s Black History Month 2021 Proclamation is rooted in celebrating of African American achievements.

“Black history is just American history that is not being told,” Ellison said. “These proclamations are important to our city and our community. Today Black History Month garners support throughout the country as people of all ethnic and social backgrounds discuss the African American experience.”

The city will host a series of programs reflecting on the central role of African Americans nationally and locally. A ‘Dialogue for Peace and Progress’ panel event — an encouraging and open conversation about change — took place Friday at Kyle City Hall. In addition, the public library will prominently display relevant books, and offer daily online classes aimed to teach digital skills while researching Black history throughout the month.

Mayor Travis Mitchell presented council with a second proclamation to establish February as Career and Technical Education Month.

With over 6,000 Hays CISD students enrolled in career and technical education courses, or CTE, the proclamation calls upon citizens to become familiar with the work of CTE teachers and support such programs.

“Our curriculum is very diverse,” Hays CISD CTE Department Director Suzi Mitchell said. “From cosmology to culinary arts, to animal science and law enforcement; we’re kinda all over the place.”

According to Hays CISD's CTE Department, CTE offers students an opportunity to gain academic, technical and employability skills necessary for career readiness while enhancing productivity.

Brought forward to council every February as well is proclamation Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.

The proclamation recognizes the prevention of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner by providing teens and young adults with education about healthy relationships and relationship skills.

“We’ve come to learn over the years how much this impacts so many different people in our community,” Ellison said. “That’s what awareness is about — it’s reminding us of these things and how this can impact maybe not ourselves but ones close to us. It’s not just physical abuse; there are many different aspects to it and that is all part of the awareness.”

In 2020, the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center provided 235 dating violence prevention and healthy relationships presentations to 5,889 teens and young adults. The center and the city both call upon citizens to raise awareness and prevent dating violence in the community and beyond.

For more information on each proclamation, visit www.cityofkyle.com.