By Furia Rubel
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans. It provides designated time to recognize African Americans’ central role in U.S. history.
Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson, also known as the Father of Black History, and other prominent African Americans.
Since Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. Former President Ford encouraged the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
In honor of Black History Month / #BlackHistoryMonth, we have compiled 28 resources for you to read, watch, listen to and share: one for each day of the month.
- The Origins of Black History Month: History Channel
- Meet Amanda Gorman, the U.S.’ Youngest Inaugural Poet: Smithsonian magazine
- 10 Little Known Black History Facts: PBS
- 26 Black Americans You Don’t Know But Should: O, The Oprah Magazine
- A Winning Game Plan for Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Talent with WNBA legend, Kym Hampton: On Record PR
- Black Lawyers in America Webinar Series: American Bar Association
- African American History Month Resources: National Archives
- Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad: National Park Service
- 10 Black Authors Everyone Should Read: PBS
- Looking Back at the History of American’s Black Banks: Black Enterprise
- Famous Black Scientists: Graduateway.com
- Discussing Voting Rights and Why Your Vote Matters with Donita Judge, Associate Executive Director, Center for Constitutional Rights: On Record PR
- The Undefeated: 44 African Americans Who Shook up the World
- Guide to African American Culture and Historic Sites in Philadelphia: Visit Philadelphia
- History of Black Theater in America: Seat Up
- How Big Law Volunteers Are Protecting Voting Rights in the 2020 Presidential Election: An Interview with Harold E. Franklin, Jr., Regional Vice Chair of Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Georgia Election Protection Legal Committee
- 101 African American Firsts: Blackpast.org (including government, law, diplomacy, military, science, medicine, scholarship, art and literature, newspapers and other print media, music and dance, film and theater, radio and television, sports, religion, business and labor: On Record PR
- Kamala Harris: Everything you need to know about the new vice president: ABC News
- Achieving Your Dreams Through Resilience: From Homeless to Ms. Pennsylvania with Nikki Johnson-Huston: On Record PR
- Belonging is the Key to DE&I Efforts. An interview with Reggie Shuford, Executive Director of the ACLU-PA: On Record PR
- African American Artists in the National Gallery of Art
- What brands need to know before celebrating Black History Month 2021: Sprout Social
- Struggling With How Your Brand Should Celebrate Black History Month? Start Here. Inclusive marketing requires commitment, empathy, and resources: Inc. magazine
- Moving Beyond ‘Slacktivism’ to Create Lasting Anti-Racism Change: Furia Rubel
- These 14 black lawyers broke down barriers and made history: ABA Journal
- 8 Black Inventors Who Made Daily Life Easier: History Channel
- Celebrating 10 African American Medical Pioneers: AAMC
- African American Astronauts Fact Sheet: NASA
While this post shares 28 resources for the 28 days of February, we hope you will consider sharing with us your favorite resources about African American History all year long. Just Tweet us at @furiarubel.
