Anser honors and celebrates the Black voices who have played a significant role in our history as we continue to identify and act on inclusion in the workplace and our communities.
About Black History Month
Black History Month, which takes place in February, was created as a response to a lack of coverage of Black historical figures in American history. Carter G. Woodson noticed this trend in the education system in the early 1900’s when he was earning his Masters and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Chicago and Harvard, respectively. As a result, he co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History or ASALH). Through this organization, Woodson founded the first Negro History Week in 1926, which took place for one week in February and coincided with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass (February 14) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12). The week-long observance gained popularity quickly, resulting in many Black history clubs and increased demand for Black history materials (Zorthian). This week would eventually be expanded to a full month in 1976, following the civil rights movement, and serves as a time to recognize the central role the Black community has played in American history. Join Anser in a deeper conversation by reviewing and ask yourself the following questions.
Self Reflection Questions:
- What and who comes to mind when you think of the contributions made by the Black community throughout American history?
- Who do you consider to be the strong Black leaders of today who are currently making history?
- Why is it important to dedicate this time towards recognizing the significant role of the Black community in American history?