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 public is welcome to attend the meeting at 16 S. Summit Hall Ave., watch it live on YouTube or watch it via Teams by registering here.

Accepting the proclamation is Jacki DuPuy, who is recognized for her leadership, advocacy, and dedication to transforming Gaithersburg’s community arts and cultural life. Since moving to Gaithersburg in 2010, Jacki has generously shared her talents at numerous City events. She is also an original member of the DiVerse@Casey poetry program, where she often serves as a featured poet.

In 2021, following a personal health scare, Jacki founded the Amateur Artist Showcase, a free and inclusive platform that uplifts voices through the arts. The Showcase provides artists with a rare opportunity to move their work from private spaces into a welcoming public forum that values expression, healing, and community connection.

Jacki’s advocacy through the arts is deeply rooted in her family’s legacy of courage and resistance. Her parents challenged segregation in Montgomery County during the 1950s, helping dismantle discriminatory practices at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockville. Her father became the first African American volunteer firefighter at Rockville Volunteer Fire Department Company #3, serving for decades despite facing racism, while other family members participated in civil rights demonstrations and sit-ins throughout the county. Inspired by this history, Jacki has chosen art, poetry, dance, and community-building as her tools for change. She has created spaces where all voices are heard, honored, and celebrated.