Learn how a week-long tradition- National Negro Week- evolved into a month-long celebration, Black History Month (BHM). Plus, we share ideas on how you can honor BHM.  

The Father of Black History 

In 1915, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a distinguished Black author, editor, publisher, and historian founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) to promote, research, preserve, interpret, and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture. In 1926, Dr. Woodson and ASALH established National Negro Week which coincided with the February birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. National Negro Week aimed to educate schools and communities on African American History.  

A Month-Long Celebration 

During the late 1960s, National Negro Week evolved to Black History Month in many college campuses across the US partly due to the Civil Rights Movement and the call to celebrate Black identity and contributions to American history. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially declared February as Black History Month. 

How to Celebrate Black History Month 

Although Black History Month is only a month-long celebration, make sure you make time to educate yourself on Black history and culture beyond February. Here are a few ways you can celebrate this month: 

• Attend: Virtual events organized by the National Museum of African American History and Culture. 
• Read: The works of Black authors, such as Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, Audre Lorde, Yaa Gyasi, Ta-Nehisi Coates and more. 
• Visit: The Houston Museum of African American Culture 
• Study: The history of Jazz, Blues, Hip-Hop, Cumbia, & Reggae music 
• Support: Find and support Black-owned businesses 
• Donate: Give to Black organizations and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

Additional Resources

The National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE) has complied a list of resources for families to use to celebrate Black History Month at home. 

• Black History Month Activities for Young Children - Maryland Families Engage
• Downloadable coloring pages, quizzes, activities and more - FamilyEducation
• 10 Ways Your Student Can Learn About Black History and Culture in America - Connections Academy
• 10 Inspiring Black History Month Activities for Students - Prodigy
• Best African American History Apps and Websites - Common Sense Education

Although Black History Month is only a month-long celebration, make sure you make time to educate yourself on Black history and culture beyond February. 

2021 Black History Month campaign

Make sure to check out our other entries in YES Prep's 2021 Black History Month campaign, by clicking here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

The Department of Organizational Strategy, Initiatives, and Culture (OSIC) was established in 2017 to oversee YES Prep functions which speaks to organizational development and cultural foundation of YES.