February 1 – Black History Month

Black History Month starts Today!

HOW TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH STEP-BY-STEP

Join in the celebration, immerse yourself in the legacy of resilience and triumph, and contribute to a collective journey of awareness, recognition, and unity.

Download the 38 Hertz Celebration Book for 365 days of celebrations!

Visit a Black History museum – directory. Virtual Museum.
Purchase a Black History book and learn about Black History.
38 Ways to Intentionally Celebrate Black History.
White People: Me and White Supremacy.
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February marks an important time for black history and culture as we kick off Black History Month. Beyond celebrating and reflecting on the remarkable contributions of black leaders, thinkers, and activists, it is important to remember the weight and significance of these individuals and events. We are reminded of the civil rights victories that were hard-earned and the work that still remains. What Black History Month ideas come to your mind?

Black History Month is not only a time to honor the past, but to celebrate the present and future and continue to push for progress, equity, and justice. Let us all take this month to educate and empower ourselves, honor those who have come before us, and work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: A BRIEF HISTORY

Black History Month was first celebrated in the United States in February 1970, but its roots stem back to the early 20th century. Historian Carter G. Woodson established the precursor to this month-long celebration, “Negro History Week,” in 1926. Woodson, the son of enslaved parents and the second African American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University, understood the importance of recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. Today, Black History Month is observed not only in the United States but also in Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries around the world. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality and the resilience and perseverance of the Black community.

100 WAYS TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Visit a Black History Museum: Explore the rich history and contributions of African Americans through exhibits and displays.
Read Books by Black Authors: Choose a variety of genres written by Black authors to gain diverse perspectives.
Attend a Cultural Festival: Participate in events that celebrate Black culture, music, dance, and art.
Watch Documentaries: View documentaries about Black history and influential figures to deepen your understanding.
Support Black-Owned Businesses: Shop at and promote businesses owned by African Americans to support economic empowerment.
Volunteer for Community Service: Engage in community service projects that benefit African American communities.
Host a Black History Month Dinner: Prepare a meal featuring traditional African American cuisine and discuss its cultural significance.
Join a Book Club: Participate in a book club focused on literature by Black authors or about Black history.
Attend a Lecture or Panel Discussion: Listen to experts and scholars discuss topics related to Black history and contemporary issues.
Create Art Inspired by Black Culture: Use various mediums to create art that reflects the beauty and strength of Black culture.
Visit Historical Landmarks: Travel to important sites in Black history, such as civil rights landmarks and museums.
Learn About Black Inventors: Research and share the stories of African American inventors and their contributions to society.
Organize a Film Screening: Host a movie night featuring films that highlight Black stories and achievements.
Participate in a Workshop: Join workshops on African American music, dance, or traditional crafts.
Research Family History: Explore your own genealogy and learn about the contributions of your ancestors.
Attend a Theatrical Performance: Support plays and performances by Black playwrights and actors.
Write Letters to Activists: Express your gratitude and support to contemporary Black activists and leaders.
Learn a New Skill: Take a class or workshop that teaches a skill or craft from African American culture.
Host a Poetry Reading: Invite friends and family to read and share poetry by Black poets.
Create a Black History Month Display: Set up a display at your school, workplace, or community center featuring important Black figures and events.
Donate to Relevant Causes: Contribute to organizations that support Black communities and promote racial justice.
Mentor a Young Person: Offer guidance and support to a young person in your community, emphasizing the importance of Black history and culture.
Participate in a March or Rally: Join peaceful protests or rallies that advocate for civil rights and racial equality.
Cook a New Recipe: Try cooking traditional African or African American dishes and learn about their cultural significance.
Create a Memory Book: Compile photographs, articles, and mementos that celebrate Black history and culture, and share it with others.
Black History Trivia: Test your knowledge with questions about important figures, events, and milestones in Black history.
Name That Tune: Play songs by Black musicians and have participants guess the artist and title.
Charades: Act out historical events or notable figures from Black history without using words.
Scavenger Hunt: Create a hunt where participants find items or information related to Black history and culture.
Jeopardy: Design a Jeopardy game with categories focused on Black history, literature, music, and achievements.
Pictionary: Draw and guess significant events, people, or cultural symbols related to Black history.
Memory Match: Create a matching game with cards featuring important Black historical figures and their achievements.
Who Am I?: Give participants clues about a Black historical figure and have them guess who it is.
Bingo: Make bingo cards with terms, names, and events related to Black history.
Spelling Bee: Challenge participants to spell the names of notable African American figures and places.
Crossword Puzzle: Solve puzzles with clues about Black history, influential figures, and cultural milestones.
Escape Room: Design an escape room game with puzzles and challenges based on historical events and figures from Black history.
Timeline Challenge: Arrange historical events in the correct order to form a timeline of Black history.
Twenty Questions: Play a game where participants ask yes-or-no questions to guess a Black historical figure or event.
Word Search: Find and circle words related to Black history in a custom word search puzzle.
Hangman: Guess the letters to complete the names of influential Black figures or key historical terms.
Role-Playing Game: Act out scenarios from significant moments in Black history and discuss their impact.
Fact or Fiction: Determine whether statements about Black history are true or false.
Storytelling Circle: Share stories about Black historical figures, achievements, and cultural heritage.
Drawing Contest: Draw portraits or scenes depicting important moments in Black history.
Board Games: Play board games that focus on Black history or culture, like “Black Heritage Trivia Game.”
Cultural Dance-Off: Learn and perform traditional African or African American dances in a friendly competition.
Mask Making: Create and decorate masks inspired by African art and culture, then guess the inspiration behind each mask.
Cooking Challenge: Make dishes inspired by African American cuisine and guess the origin of each recipe.
Historical Debate: Host a debate on significant topics or decisions in Black history, encouraging participants to take different perspectives.
Kente Cloth-Inspired Bookmarks: Create colorful bookmarks using paper strips to mimic the patterns of traditional Kente cloth.
Paper Bead Necklaces: Roll colorful paper into beads and string them to make necklaces inspired by African jewelry.
Black History Month Scrapbook: Compile photos, quotes, and information about influential Black figures and events in a personalized scrapbook.
Freedom Quilt Squares: Design quilt squares with symbols and patterns inspired by the quilts used in the Underground Railroad.
Adinkra Symbol Art: Paint or draw Adinkra symbols on canvases or paper, and learn their meanings.
African Mask Craft: Use paper plates, paint, and other materials to create masks inspired by traditional African designs.
Timeline Banner: Create a timeline banner highlighting key events and figures in Black history.
Harlem Renaissance Collage: Assemble a collage featuring images and quotes from the Harlem Renaissance era.
Black History Mobile: Make a mobile with hanging pictures and facts about important Black leaders and activists.
Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Clouds: Write personal dreams for equality on cloud shapes and display them together.
Civil Rights Movement Posters: Design posters that reflect the messages and slogans of the Civil Rights Movement.
Pan-African Flag Art: Create art pieces inspired by the Pan-African flag using paint, paper, or fabric.
African Drum Craft: Make drums using recycled materials and decorate them with African-inspired designs.
Heroes of Black History Cards: Design trading cards featuring influential Black figures, complete with their accomplishments.
Story Quilts: Illustrate a story or historical event on fabric squares and sew them together to make a quilt.
Black Inventors Flipbook: Create a flipbook highlighting various inventions by Black inventors.
Jazz Instruments Craft: Make miniature models of jazz instruments using everyday materials, celebrating jazz music’s roots in Black culture.
Inspirational Quote Plaques: Decorate wooden or cardboard plaques with powerful quotes from Black leaders.
African Animal Masks: Craft masks of animals found in Africa, learning about their significance in various cultures.
Emancipation Proclamation Scrolls: Create scrolls that display excerpts from the Emancipation Proclamation.
Unity Wreaths: Make wreaths using handprints to symbolize unity and diversity within the Black community.
Black History Lapbook: Create an interactive lapbook with flaps and fold-outs about different aspects of Black history.
Freedom Fighter Puppets: Make puppets representing key figures from the Civil Rights Movement and use them for storytelling.
Diaspora Art Canvas: Paint a canvas that represents the African diaspora, incorporating various cultural elements.
Historic Landmarks Dioramas: Build dioramas of significant landmarks in Black history, such as the Selma bridge or Tuskegee Institute.
Sweet Potato Pie: A classic Southern dessert with a rich, spiced filling made from sweet potatoes.
Fried Catfish: Crispy, seasoned catfish fillets often served with tartar sauce and hushpuppies.
Collard Greens: Slow-cooked greens flavored with smoked ham hock or turkey for a savory side dish.
Jollof Rice: A West African dish made with rice, tomatoes, and a variety of spices, often served with chicken or fish.
Cornbread: A moist, slightly sweet bread that’s a staple in Southern cuisine.
Gumbo: A hearty stew from Louisiana, typically made with seafood, sausage, and okra, served over rice.
Black-Eyed Peas: Traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day for good luck, often simmered with bacon and spices.
Fried Chicken: Crispy, flavorful chicken pieces fried to perfection, a staple of Southern cooking.
Peach Cobbler: A warm, comforting dessert made with fresh peaches and a buttery, flaky crust.
Hoppin’ John: A dish made from black-eyed peas, rice, and pork, symbolizing prosperity.
Jerk Chicken: Spicy, marinated chicken grilled to perfection, originating from Jamaica.
Plantains: Fried or baked, these starchy fruits are a delicious side dish common in Caribbean cuisine.
Sweet Tea: A refreshing, sweetened iced tea that is a hallmark of Southern hospitality.
Macaroni and Cheese: Creamy, cheesy pasta baked to a golden brown, a beloved comfort food.
Red Beans and Rice: A traditional Creole dish made with red beans, sausage, and spices, served over rice.
Banana Pudding: A layered dessert with vanilla wafers, bananas, and creamy pudding.
Chitterlings (Chitlins): Pork intestines cleaned and cooked until tender, often served with hot sauce.
Oxtail Stew: Slow-cooked oxtail pieces in a rich, flavorful gravy, common in Caribbean cuisine.
Pecan Pie: A sweet, nutty pie made with a rich pecan filling, perfect for dessert.
Biscuits and Gravy: Fluffy biscuits smothered in a savory sausage gravy, a breakfast favorite.
Crawfish Étouffée: A spicy, savory dish with crawfish and a roux-based sauce, served over rice.
Hot Water Cornbread: Cornmeal-based bread that’s fried to a golden brown, a traditional Southern side.
Shrimp and Grits: Creamy grits topped with succulent shrimp and a savory sauce.
Beignets: Light, fluffy fried doughnuts dusted with powdered sugar, a New Orleans specialty.
Barbecue Ribs: Slow-cooked pork ribs slathered in a tangy, smoky barbecue sauce, perfect for a celebration.