This year’s Black History Month theme from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is Black Resistance. Historically, notable efforts from Carter G. Woodson, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Ida B. Wells, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Septima Poinsette Clark, Fannie Lou Hamer and Rosa Parks have sought to protect and advocate for Black life.
The 1950s and 1970s were characterized by boycotts, sit-ins, and walk outs by Black people (and allies of other races) to fight against discrimination. Recent efforts have encouraged antiracism and the elimination of institutional racism in American society.
Learn more about this year’s theme of Black Resistance from ASALH.
Do you know the origins of Black History Month?
- 1915: Carter G. Woodson formed the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH)
- 1916: Woodson established The Journal of Negro History
- 1924: Creation of Negro History and Literature Week, which was later renamed Negro Achievement Week
- 1926: Negro History Week in celebrated February
- 1937: Woodson established the Negro History Bulletin to focus on the annual theme
- 1960s: Fredrick H. Hammaurabi started celebrating Negro History Month
- 1976: ASNLH shifted from a one-week to a one-month celebration
- 1970s-present: American presidents issue proclamations endorsing the ASNLH annual theme
Read, Watch, & Listen This Month:
- YouTube Playlist: Notable heroes and historical events in the movement toward racial equality in America
- What does Black History mean to me? Brittny O'Garro (APCO) and Columbia University students, faculty, and staff share their thoughts
- Constance Baker Motley: "The Double-Edged Sword of Being a Black First" from Codeswitch
- "Notes from America: 'Blackness (Un)interrupted'" from Codeswitch
- Visit Wichita: Black-owned businesses in Wichita
- The Dockum Sit-In: Wichita’s Successful Story of Desegregating Convenience Stores from The Museum of World Treasures