An official proclamation designating February 2026 as Black History Month in the City of Gaithersburg will be presented at the February 2 Mayor and City Council meeting. The meeting is open to the public and will take place at City Hall, with options to attend in person or watch remotely.
Per the City of Gaithersburg, the proclamation will be accepted by Gaithersburg resident Jacki DuPuy, who is being recognized for her leadership, advocacy, and longstanding contributions to the city’s arts and cultural life. DuPuy has lived in Gaithersburg since 2010 and has shared her talents at numerous city events over the years. She is also an original member of the DiVerse@Casey poetry program, where she frequently appears as a featured poet.
In 2021, following a personal health scare, DuPuy founded the Amateur Artist Showcase. The free and inclusive program was created to uplift voices through the arts and to provide artists with an opportunity to bring work that often exists in private spaces into a public setting. The Showcase emphasizes expression, healing, and community connection, and has become a welcoming forum for artists of all backgrounds.
DuPuy’s work in the arts is closely tied to her family’s civil rights legacy in Montgomery County. During the 1950s, her parents challenged segregation locally, including efforts that helped dismantle discriminatory practices at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockville. Her father later became the first African American volunteer firefighter at Rockville Volunteer Fire Department Company #3, serving for decades while facing racism. Other members of her family also participated in civil rights demonstrations and sit-ins throughout the county.
Drawing inspiration from that history, DuPuy has chosen art, poetry, dance, and community-building as her means of advocacy. Through her work, she has created spaces where voices are shared, stories are honored, and community connections are strengthened. Additional information available on the City of Gaithersburg website.
