Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. African Americans have and continue to make significant contributions to the United States and our achievements deserve to be celebrated. Learn more about the origins of Black History Month.
Our contribution to the United States is not just civil rights. Currently, there is a record 55 African American representatives are serving in the House and 3 Senators. Black men and women have made many significant contributions to scientific knowledge, engineering developments, artistic endeavors, and the back-breaking work that built America. African Americans have always been an essential part of the fabric of American society.
Congressional Black Caucus Members of the 116th Congress
2019 is the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Africans to be sold into bondage in North America at Jamestown, Virginia. African Americans have made so much progress in 400 years culminating in the election of Barrack Obama as president in 2008. This despite being enslaved and all the continuous efforts to hold us down.
During February, the Global Black Caucus will illustrate the creativity, intelligence, talent, and beauty of our African American heritage. Our theme this year is Creativity and Inventiveness. There are thousands of inventions, discoveries, and pioneering developments by African Americans. Be sure to stop by our Facebook page to learn more about all the great African American inventors, developers, and pioneers.
The fact that African Americans were enslaved, abused, and discriminated against for so long, and we still have been able to thrive, is a testament to our fortitude and courage.
We will have at least two webinars in February. There may be others check out our events page later this month. Here’s what we have currently scheduled:
February 20th at 1:30 pm EST/7:30 pm CET – Harvard historian Anna-Lisa Cox will join us to explore the history she documented in her book ‘The Bone and Sinew of the Land’. Her book explores the mostly unknown story of the free black pioneers who first settled the frontier. RSVP today.
On February 26th at 1:30 pm EST / 7:30 CET – Tafeni English, Director of The Civil Rights Memorial Center at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), will join us. She’ll talk about the rise of hate crimes and anti-Semitism in America providing valuable insight to anyone who is fighting for social justice. RSVP today.
If you are interested in learning more about black history, check out our book and film recommendations for Black History Month. Most of the books are available in e-book format and some are available as audiobooks. Most of the film recommendations are available on video streaming services. There is a wide variety of films, something for every taste. We’ve curated films dealing with many issues, important black historical figures, and some fantasy.
African Americans have made lasting contributions to American history and culture and will continue to do so in the future. During Black History Month take time to remember, educate, and celebrate. And if you are African American do what James Brown said. “Say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud”.
