Celebrating Black History Month

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the son of formerly enslaved people and one of the first African Americans to earn a doctorate from Harvard, dedicated his career to African American history. In 1926, launched the annual February observance of “Negro History Week”. February was chosen for the initial celebration to honor Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln, two abolitionists who shared the same birth month. In the beginning, Woodson had lobbied schools and campuses to participate in special programming to encourage the study of Black history.

The week-long observance gained momentum over the years. By the late 1960s, in part due to the Civil Rights Movement, Negro History Week had evolved into Black History Month on several college campuses. So much so that in 1976, President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month, citing the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

In honor of Black History Month, we have compiled a list of events and resources to honor, educate, and celebrate Black history in our communities and beyond.

Events

Click the links below to find events celebrating Black history and culture throughout February and year-round in Spot cities.

Indianapolis, IN

Chicago, IL

Charlotte, NC

Tampa, FL

Tempe, AZ

Movies

Below are some award-winning, critically acclaimed films to help you celebrate Black history all year long. Click here to view an extended list (42 films).

Selma (2014)

Hidden Figures (2016)

Just Mercy (2019)

12 Years a Slave (2013)

Podcasts & Literature

Click here to view a full list of recommended books and podcasts compiled by the American Writers Museum.