February is Black History Month, a monthlong celebration of the contributions and achievements of the African American community.

Black History Month first began as Negro History week in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson, and the prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland, after they created the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). ASNLH was an organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other peoples of African descent. Negro History week was soon recognized by many major cities and eventually became Black History Month on college campuses. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month.

Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. The Black History Month 2021 theme, “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity” explores the African diaspora, and the spread of Black families across the United States. (Source: History.com)

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