Ways to celebrate
Black History Month
1 . Businesses can invite Black field experts to come speak to employees about topics relevant to their specific workplaces .
2 . Organizations that find they are lacking in diversity and inclusion practices can reevaluate recruiting , interviewing and diversity protocols .
Black History Month , also referred to as African American History Month , is celebrated each February . Historian , author and journalist Carter G . Woodson earned a master ’ s degree from the University of Chicago and later a Ph . D . from Harvard University and recognized that African Americans were largely absent from official stories of United States history . Setting out to change that , Woodson and minister Jesse E . Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 , which would later be called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History . The organization would go on to promote the study of Black history and celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans .
Moorland and Woodson ’ s work would help set the course for Black History Month . Through ASAALH they launched “ Negro History Week ” in 1926 . The second week in February was chosen because it was the birthday week of both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln , two instrumental figures in African American history . It would be 1976 before Black History Month was recognized as a national observance , though many colleges and universities began commemorating the event during the American civil rights movement of the 1960s .
Black History Month is widely celebrated now , and often provides educators with pivotal teaching moments . There are many different ways to celebrate Black History Month .
3 . People can plan a trip to Washington , D . C ., to visit the Smithsonian-run National Museum of African American History & Culture . Museum directors note it is filled with artifacts that can help any American better understand history through an African American lens .
4 . Support Black-owned businesses in the area or donate to a Black organization .
5 . Cook a special meal with the family and discuss African American history over dinner .
6 . Support a charity that has a mission of improving racial justice , like Color of Change .
7 . Read or reread Martin Luther King Jr .’ s “ Letter from a Birmingham Jail ” or his “ I Have a Dream Speech .”
8 . Watch the film “ Hidden Figures ” or read the book on which it was based . The book highlights the accomplishments of three Black female scientists working at NASA during the Civil Rights era .
9 . Focus this month ’ s book club choice on a Black author .
10 . Study the biography of any influential Black figure from the past or the present .
11 . Visit the Jack Hadley Black History Museum in Thomasville . It features artifacts and memorabilia outlining local and national African-American history and achievements . It is located at 214 Alexander St ., Thomasville , GA 31792 , phone ( 229 ) 226-5029 or visit jackhadleyblackhistorymuseum . com .
Throughout February , individuals can support African American culture , history and causes in many meaningful ways .
22 Winter 2022 Thomasville Scene