HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-17 Tall Tree Awards Rev Kaloma SmithHONORING REV. KALOMA SMITH AS 2025 OUTSTANDING
PROFESSIONAL
WHEREAS, the 2025 Tall Tree Awards will be held in Palo Alto on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The Tall Tree
Awards are proudly hosted each year by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce and Palo Alto Weekly to recognize,
celebrate, and honor individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions and provided
invaluable service to the community; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Kaloma Smith is the 2025 honoree for Outstanding Professional. He has served as the
Pastor of University AME Zion Church in Palo Alto since 2013 and is an advocate for racial equity in the
community; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Kaloma Smith chaired the Palo Alto Human Relations Commission (HRC), a group that
aims to promote the just and fair treatment of all people, particularly for vulnerable populations in the city; and
WHEREAS, following George Floyd’s murder in 2020, the Palo Alto HRC published a report called Black
and Brown Palo Alto - History and Current Experience, which highlighted historical events and accounts of
racism, microaggressions and experiences of exclusions of the Black community. HRC also facilitated an
initiative called 100 Community Conversations on Race with the goal of promoting community conversations on
race, racism and belonging in the community; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Kaloma Smith helped to lead efforts against both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia,
assisting in coordinating events where members of the Jewish and Middle Eastern communities could share their
experiences with HRC.
NOW, THEREFORE I, Ed Lauing, Mayor of the City of Palo Alto, on behalf of the entire City Council do
hereby recognize Rev. Kaloma Smith for his dedication to the spiritual well-being of our community and for his
advocacy for racial equity within it.
Presented: April 17, 2025
______________________________
Ed Lauing
Mayor
Proclamation