It’s time to celebrate Black History Month
February is Black History Month, the annual celebration of the achievements of African Americans and their contributions to history. Black History Month grew out of “Negro History Week”, created by historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African American figures in 1926. This event inspired schools and communities nationwide to organize local celebrations, establish history clubs, and host performances and lectures. By the late 1960s, Negro History Week had evolved into Black History Month on many college campuses. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month, and every president since Ford has designated February as Black History Month.
Even though February is the shortest month of the year, the Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility committee (DIA) is determined to make the most of it! We’ve gathered information on different holidays, resources, and events for Black History Month to help you learn and celebrate for the next 28 days!
- National Freedom Day: February 1st, celebrates the signing of the 13th Amendment that abolished slavery in 1865.
- Georgia State’s 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Events:
- Groundbreaker Lecture: The Sword and the Shield: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., 4 to 5:30pm, Thursday February 11th. RSVP at: https://service.gsu.edu/mlk/
- The Mario Bennekin Black History Symposium: Monday, Feb.15 – Friday, Feb.19, 2021. More information at: https://perimeter.gsu.edu/bennekin-symposium/
- The Multicultural Center is holding events throughout the month of February including Music Mondays, Pop Talks, Culture Café and more. Information on these events and more can be found on the Multicultural Center’s website. https://multicultural.gsu.edu/
- GSU Diversity, Equity & Inclusion celebrates the role and contribution of black Americans on the history of the United States: https://dei.gsu.edu/2021/02/black-history-month-2021/
- GSU Library Research Guides for African American Studies and African History
Websites to check out:
- History.com – Black History Month
- AJC: Black History Month 2021
- ASALH- Black History Month Virtual Festival
- Oprah Magazine – Black History Month
Make sure to stop by some of our displays across our campus libraries.
