Pittsburgh City Council announced Tuesday that the city is dedicating February as Mayor Ed Gainey Month.

“I can’t imagine recognizing Black History Month without recognizing our own mayor in the city of Pittsburgh,” said Council President Theresa Kail-Smith.

Gainey, of Lincoln-Lemington, became the city’s first Black mayor when he took office in January.

Before becoming mayor, Gainey was the first Black man to serve as chairman of the Pittsburgh City Democratic Committee. He now serves as an Allegheny County Democratic Committeeman.

Gainey said he was grateful.

“I want to thank the city. I couldn’t do it without you,” he said. “It’s because of this city I am who I am.”

Gainey’s wife, Michelle, said her husband has “worked tirelessly across the years to learn, to grow, to prepare himself in accordance with what God has laid out before him.”

In addition to recognizing Gainey, City Council also dedicated February as Darlene F. Craig Month, in honor of the mayor’s mother. She has served Allegheny County in various capacities for more than 20 years, Kail-Smith said.

She launched her career in 1995 as an administrative legislative assistant with Pittsburgh City Council. In 1999, she became a forensic investigator with the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office — one of only five Black female death investigators in Pennsylvania. She has served as a forensic supervisor since 2005, overseeing 17 other forensic investigators.

In a proclamation, Kail-Smith credited Craig for raising Gainey in a “faith-filled home” and helping him to become the city’s first Black mayor.

“It feels good to be recognized, particularly when you don’t seek it,” Craig said.

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