Black History Month is an annual celebration of the incredible contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout US history. 

Black History Month occurs in February because in 1926, ASALH’s founder, Dr. Carter G. Woodson first established “Negro History Week” during the second week of February- which marks the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass- both men being great American symbols of freedom. 

Black History Month was first proposed by black educators and the Black United Students at Kent State University in February 1969. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State a year later, from January 2 to February 28, 1970. Ten years later in 1986, which was also the first year of the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday as a national holiday, the U.S. Congress, in a joint resolution of the House and Senate, designated the month of February as “National Black History Month.” The resolution authorized and requested President Ronald Reagan to issue a proclamation. In 1986, the Presidential Proclamation 5443 noted that “the foremost purpose of Black History Month is to make all Americans aware of this struggle for freedom and equal opportunity.” Since then, 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.

Every year there is also a theme that marks the celebration. This year’s theme is focused on Black people’s health and wellness. “This theme acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (eg, birthworkers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc) throughout the African Diaspora,” says ASALH.

Black History Month is celebrated with a variety of activities, including events at universities, public schools, museums, and within communities. Another great way is to support local black owned businesses.

Here at Green Level, we celebrate Black History Month as a strong, empowering, and admirable reflection but also as motivation and hope for the future. GLHS Black student Union Club holds meetings every Tuesday during connectivity and is planning to Celebrate Black History Month with all of us. Attend a meeting or follow them on Instagram @greenlevel_bsu for updates and Black History Month Highlights.

The Green Level Literary Magazine is also looking to highlight Black Student work with a collaborative Black Student Union edition this month. The work can be: poetry, prose, drawings, digital art, pottery, music, choreography, animation, paintings, etc. If you are interested in being featured please fill out this form