During the month of February, Black History Month, we celebrate achievements by African Americans and recognize their central role in U.S. history.

Started by Carter G. Woodson, an author, historian and the second African American to earn a PhD at Harvard, Black History Month became an officially-designated remembrance in 1976, under President Gerald Ford.

Known as the “Father of Black History,” Woodson first proposed a national “Negro History Week” in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and President Abraham Lincoln.

Woodson also founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, which is now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

The theme of Black History Month 2021 is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity,” as chosen by the ASALH.

Learn More

Check out the following resources to expand your knowledge during Black History Month.

Online

• africanamericanhistorymonth.gov
• ASALH
• Smithsonian
• PBS
• BlackPast

Books

• “From Slavery to Freedom,” by John Hope Franklin and Evelyn Higginbotham
• “A Black Woman’s History of the United States,” by Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross

Collections of Movies/Shows/Documentaries

• Netflix
• Hulu
• HBO Max
• Amazon Prime Video
• Disney+

This is not a comprehensive list of resources or events that exist. We hope that these serve as a starting point and we encourage you to reach out into your own communities for learning opportunities, service opportunities, or events connected to Black History Month.