BLACK HISTORY MONTH
COMMUNITY ACTION CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Nearly a century ago, scholar Carter G. Woodson began an annual celebration of Black history, announcing, “We are going back to that beautiful history and it is going to inspire us to greater achievements.” While Woodson initially conceived of a weeklong event that coincided with the February birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass (already celebrated in African American communities), his true vision was a celebration of African American history, art, and culture that was not contained to prominent individuals and designated weeks, but one that recognized the breadth of individuals within the African American community and their varied triumphs and struggles.
The contributions and experiences of the African American community are not relics of history – they are the living bedrock of what we know of this country today, including its culture, economic growth, and development throughout history and across time.
The National Community Action Partnership celebrates Black History Month while recognizing that the study of African American history and celebrations of African American culture should not be confined to a single page on the calendar. Community Action Agencies care about the entire community and continuously work to ensure dignity and access to opportunity for all people.
We celebrate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who named his campaign the Poor People’s Campaign because he knew that political and legal equality would be insufficient without economic equality. Decades later, poverty continues to disproportionately affect African American individuals and communities. A history of structural racism and discriminatory public policies has left a legacy of racial disparities in generational poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity.
We also herald Mae Jemison’s pioneering role as the first African American woman in space as we look forward to Victor Glover becoming the first person of color to walk on the moon. We honor the legacy of John Lewis as we rise for Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and protest the silencing of Justin Jones in Tennessee.
Political and social struggles affecting the broader population often have a particularly harmful impact on African American individuals and communities. Current book banning efforts in states across the country are threatening to erase aspects of African American history, which is also American History, from textbooks. As the Supreme Court does away with affirmative action in higher education, an organization led by African American women is under attack for creating a grant program to support African American female entrepreneurs. Even seemingly anodyne policies like those in the tax code can perpetuate systemic disadvantages for African Americans.
As we celebrate Black History Month as a Network of Community Action Agencies, we can amplify voices in our communities to raise awareness of the impacts poverty has on African American individuals and communities.
Check out the graphics, resources, and sample social media messages below to help celebrate Black History Month and advance equity and opportunity in our communities.
RESOURCES
The White House – A Proclamation on National Black History Month, 2024
Association for the Study of African American Life and History – Black History Month Virtual Festival
National Museum of African American History & Culture – Events
Smithsonian – February 2024: African Americans and the Arts
U.S. Census Bureau – National Black (African American) History Month: February 2024
National Museum of African American History & Culture – Black History Month Digital Toolkit
American Writers Museum – Black History Month Reading List
Innocence Project – 15 Books to Read During Black History Month and Beyond
National Museum of African American History & Culture – Art as a Platform for Social Justice
Center for American Progress – Biden Administration’s New Investments in Electric Vehicle and Battery Production Could Benefit Black Americans
National Association for State Community Services Programs – Black History Month: Black Anti-Poverty Advocates You Should Know
Office of Minority Health – Justice and Health Initiatives
Legal Defense Fund – Black Farmers FAQ: The History of Discrimination Against Black Farmers and Policy Initiatives to Remedy These Inequities
SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES
As we come together to celebrate African American voices, achievements, and stories this month, please also join us in reaffirming our commitment to advance equity, opportunity, and belonging throughout our communities and across the nation. #BlackHistoryMonth #CommunityAction
Happy #BlackHistoryMonth! We’re proud to honor the triumphs of trailblazing Black Americans and give thanks to those who fought in the face of adversity to help build a better, more equitable society.
The #CommunityAction Network envisions a nation that creates opportunities for all people to thrive. And so, we honor #BlackHistory by striving to carry forth the legacy of countless African American leaders through our continued efforts to promote equity and opportunity.
We’re proud to recognize the incredible progress inspired by African American brilliance, resilience, and courage. But let’s also acknowledge the importance of our ongoing work to bridge disparities still faced by African American families in wealth, health, housing and beyond.
SAMPLE GRAPHICS
Feel free to use any of the following graphics. Click the image to download.
