February is Black History Month
When children have friends from different backgrounds and cultures, they develop a full appreciation of everyone. Established in 1926 as Negro History Week by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the month of February is now nationally recognized as Black History Month. During February, citizens honor achievements by individual Black Americans and take time to recognize the central role of African Americans in U.S. history.
Well before his death in 1950, Woodson believed that the weekly celebrations—not the study or celebration of black history–would eventually come to an end. In fact, Woodson never viewed black history as a one-week affair. He pressed for schools to use Negro History Week to demonstrate what students learned all year. In the same vein, he established a black studies extension program to reach adults throughout the year. It was in this sense that blacks would learn of their past on a daily basis that he looked forward to the time when an annual celebration would no longer be necessary. Generations before Morgan Freeman and other advocates of all-year commemorations, Woodson believed that black history was too important to America and the world to be crammed into a limited time frame. He spoke of a shift from Negro History Week to Negro History Year. (Source: ASAHL: Origins of Black History Month)
In celebration of Black History Month, we encourage you to review the following history and resources:
- Teaching Tolerance: Four Black History Month Must-Haves
- Five Ways to Avoid Whitewashing The Civil Rights Movement
- Black History Month Teaching, Miseducation or Empowerment?
Black History Month at
Grand Rapids Public Library
Throughout February, the Grand Rapids Public Library is hosting online programs for both kids and adults that highlight and celebrate our Black community. Follow this link to the GRPL website to discover information about their online events, Black History Month Craft Kits, and Taste of Soul Restaurant Showcase.
Selected Resources for African-American History Month
from GRPS’ Office of Equity and Inclusion
The Black Family:
Representation, Identity, and Diversity
Source: Association for the Study of African American Life and History
When Carter G. Woodson established Negro History week in 1926, he realized the importance of providing a theme to focus the attention of the public. The intention has never been to dictate or limit the exploration of the Black experience, but to bring to the public’s attention important developments that merit emphasis.
ASALH’s 2024 theme is African Americans and the Arts in the past present AND FUTURE. “African American art is infused with African, Caribbean, and the Black American lived experiences. In the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression the African American influence has been paramount. African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment. Artistic and cultural movements such as the New Negro, Black Arts, Black Reniassance, hip-hop, and Afrofuturism, have been led by people of African descent and set the standard for popular trends around the world. In 2024, we examine the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans.
In celebrating the entire history of African Americans and the arts, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) puts into the national spotlight the richness of the past and present with an eye towards what the rest of the twentieth-first century will bring. ASALH dedicates its 98th Annual Black History Theme to African Americans and the arts.”
(Source: https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/)
Register for ASALH’s Black History Month Virtual Festival: https://asalh.org/festival/
What Can Parents Do?
Parents can encourage cooperation and teamwork when children have fights or disagreements between themselves. Encouraging them to compromise and talk it out are great ways for children to work cooperatively with others. Sharing and taking turns are also great steps toward good team members.
Black History Celebration Activities
This month, connect with other families to:
- celebrate Black History Month or your own family history
- honor President’s Day
- schedule a midyear check in with the teacher