Elk Grove honors vice mayor, Sacramento sheriff and others during Black History Month

Marcus D. Smith
·2 min read
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The city of Elk Grove is celebrating Black History Month by highlighting local leaders who have influenced the community – from elected officials to educators and more.

This year, the city recognized recently appointed Vice Mayor Rod Brewer and its diversity and inclusion commission chair Tina Lee-Vogt for their involvement within the Elk Grove community.

“It is an honor to be acknowledged for Black History Month,” Brewer said. “Elk Grove has so many leaders doing great things in our community. I am humbled and proud to be a part of this month’s collective of inspiring individuals being recognized during this month.”

The two were listed as notable figures on the city’s website.

Local figures to make the list in recent years include the city’s first Black mayor, Jim Cooper, who is now Sacramento County’s sheriff; and the city’s first Black police chief, Bobby Davis, who remains the chief after being sworn into the role in 2022.

“It’s an honor to be recognized with local leaders like Vice Mayor Brewer, Chief Davis and Sheriff Cooper,” Lee-Vogt said.

The city also recognized nationally beloved Black figures – like aviator Bessie Coleman, poet Maya Angelou and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.

“It seems unreal to be on a list of notable figures that includes Supreme Court Justice Kentaji Brown Jackson and Kobe Bryant,” Lee-Vogt said.

In the past during City Council meetings, the city has recognized individuals such as Sam Starks, executive director of the nonprofit MLK365, for his contributions to the Elk Grove community; as well as the late Irene West, the first Black teacher in the Elk Grove Unified School District.

“I was humbled and honored that Elk Grove thought enough to recognize me,” Starks said. “They recognize the work that me and my wife, Dr. Char Starks, are doing in this community and region.”

According to 2010 statistics, Black people made up 10% of Elk Grove residents. The number of Black residents in Elk Grove continues to grow. Black people made up 13% of Elk Grove’s population, as of 2020, according to the city website.