Celebrating Black History Month & Local Black Youth

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

It was September 1915. Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History). The organization is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of Black Americans.

In February 1926, the organization celebrated National Negro History Week during the second week of the month. This historic week caused a ripple effect across the nation. Schools began celebrating, communities began organizing, and clubs began forming, all in the name of celebrating Black Americans. Communities nationwide celebrated Negro history week for decades.

Then, in the 1960s, college campuses moved to celebrate Negro history week for the entire month of February.

In 1976, President Gerald 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.” This statement moved the nation to officially recognize February as Black History Month.

LOCAL BLACK HEROES SERIES CONTINUES

Throughout February, BBBS will celebrate local Black youth and the impact they’ve made in their communities, continuing the “Local Black Heroes” series we began in 2020.

Can’t wait? To meet the Local Black Heroes we’ve featured over the last year (pictured above), please head here.

Celebrate with us! Sign up for our e.news to get updates in your inbox and learn more about the impact of local heroes in your community and keep an eye on our blog and Facebook page.