Communities in our country.

And whereas, despite significant losses due to the coronavirus pandemic, the creative industries remain among the most vital sectors of the American economy.

I'm going to repeat that line.

Despite significant losses due to coronavirus pandemic, the creative industries remain among the most vital sectors of the American economy, providing new opportunities within their own industry and across sectors.

Because we're creators, right?

That's right.

So we encourage all community members to celebrate and promote the arts and culture in our nation.

Now, therefore, I, Leonardo Williams, mayor of the great city of Durham, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 2024 as National Arts and Humanities Month in Durham and recommend that's observance to all citizens.

Witness my hand in the corporate sill of the city of Durham, North Carolina this seventh day of October 2024.

So we're a little behind on recognizing this due to the scheduling, but we're close.

Thank you, Gerard.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mayor Williams, Mayor Pro Tim Middleton, City Council members.

Uh good evening.

I'm Gerard Staten.

I'm the CEO of Lumier Strategies.

I'm a small business and leadership coach, an artist, an oil painter, a writer, an actor, and for tonight, I am also the vice president of the Durham Arts Council Board of Trustees.

It's an honor to accept this proclamation on behalf of the arts and humanities community.

We have celebrated October as Arts and Humanities Month for many years.

And this year, our appreciation of and our belief in the profound value of arts and humanities is stronger than ever.

We have emerged from the pandemic and are working hard rebuilding our sector and welcoming community members, young and old, to amazing art and cultural experiences.

I have someone who agrees throughout Durham.

We thank and celebrate Durham's talented artists, writers, and arts and cultural organizations, creative businesses, filmmakers, libraries, historic preservation agencies, all for their work to provide inspiring programs of music, dance, theater, history, literature, and the visual arts.

The Durham Arts Council is proud to have led 91 local organizations in the Durham portion of the National Arts and Economic Prosperity Study, six, which reveals economic and social impact of over 233 million dollars from the nonprofit arts and culture sector in Durham.

This groundbreaking study centers equity in economic research and highlights the vital role of arts and culture in building more livable communities.

The study also shows that Durham's nonprofit arts and cultural industry supports 3,246 jobs and generates 27.1 million dollars annually and local, state and government uh revenue.

The study demonstrates locally as well as nationally that arts and culture are a critical economic driver of vibrant communities, helping us to attract and retain a talented workforce, supporting jobs, generating revenue for local businesses.

Our sector provides authentic cultural experiences that strengthen tourism and build pride in our community as we share cultural heritage and artistic traditions.

And because art is about expression, it also becomes a powerful way for people to share experiences, emotions, and opinions.

Across our community, arts and culture are vital to strengthen community engagement, our well-being, our shared humanity, and joy.

And fiscal year 24, Durham Arts Council is proud to have provided arts experiences to 627,562 people, awarded 883,256 in cash grants and facility grants to 136 arts and cultural organizations and artists.

Thank you, Mayor Williams and City Council members for your support of the arts and humanities, and thank you for this proclamation.

More reasons why I like saying Durham is dope.

That's so cool.

Good evening, everyone.

It's my um pleasure to read the proclamation for Mayor's Hispanic Latino or excuse me for Hispanic Heritage Month on behalf of the Mayor's Hispanic Latino Committee.

And those who are in uh the audience, I see Maralis, Asimario, Asi Sheila.

If you all could come up, and if I missed anyone.

Whereas National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from separate September 15th through October 15th to celebrate the histories, cultures, contributions of Americans with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

And whereas the 2024 National Hispanic Heritage Month theme is pioneers of change, shaping the future together, seeks to recognize the trails blazers who have paved the way for all who have followed.

The city of Durham embraces all our neighbors of Hispanic, Latino, and Latin heritage and recognizes their profound and positive influence in the city of Durham.

And whereas the City of Durham recognizes the challenges the Hispanic Latino and Latinx community continues to face in our city and the resilience in creating solutions for future generations.

Therefore, the city of Durham continues to recognize the efforts led by community leaders, organizations, and allies to support the Hispanic, Latino and Latin communities.

And whereas the City of Durham celebrates and encourages the growing number of Hispanic, Latino and Latinx residents leaders who are adding their voices to our city and county boards, commissions, community organizations, and the city of Durham is committed to improvising, excuse me, improving existing opportunities and opening new doors for Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx residents of all backgrounds to excel in our community.

Now, therefore, I, Leonardo Williams, mayor of the City of Durham, North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 15th through October 15th, 2024 as Hispanic Latino Heritage Month in Durham, and hereby urge all residents to honor the distinct traditions of the Hispanic, Latino and Latinx community.

Unity and their contributions to our city, state, and nation by participating in relevant ceremonies, activities, and programs.

Witness my hand in the corporate seal of the city of Durham, North Carolina, this 24th day of October 2024.

And I want to invite the folks behind me.

Mario is our wonderful liaison to the mayor's Hispanic Latino Committee.

He does wonders for us.

She is now rolled off, but had the privilege of being our first chair after there was lots of uh reorganization and did an incredible amount of work uh for both the committee and across the community.

And Sheila Arias is a longtime Latino organizer, a fierce advocate for the Latino community, and does a tremendous amount of work, uh, especially going to uh Raleigh, where often there are not friendly faces in the General Assembly for the needs of the Latino community.

So I just want to thank them and let them have any opportunity or have an opportunity to say anything.

Thank you.

Councilwoman uh Javiera, uh Mayor Williams and rest of the city council.

I just want to give my thanks for this esteemed honor.

Um I started out as a member of the uh mayor's Hispanic Latino Committee and then at some point became the chair person.

Um, and then had an incredible opportunity.

I couldn't pass up to become employed by the city of Durham, so I had to resign from my post with the mayor's Hispanic Latino Committee.

Um I am the liaison for the committee, and I had to initiate the proclamation process, and being so new to it, I was not able to do it by the deadline to meet the last meeting when most of the members of the committee would have been here.