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.
As an organization, we’re dedicated to moving the needle on education inequity, and we recognize the structural challenges faced by Black teachers and students on a daily basis. In addition to working towards that goal, we intend to acknowledge and honor that Black history is American history this month and beyond.
We’ve gathered some resources in hopes that as an organization, we’ll take strides to celebrate the contributions of Black folks and recognize their central role in American history and beyond. We invite the teachers, donors, and partners in our community who work towards education equity to do the same.
Read
- Check out this genre-spanning list of books written by Black authors compiled by educator and activist Rachel Cargle — and search for others!
- Dive into Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, and beyond by exploring poetry that celebrates Black History Month
Listen and Watch
- Soul Foodie is a playlist featuring podcast episodes that explore food culture through a Black lens
- Check out 24 Essential Works of Black Cinema Recommended by Black Directors. Last year, DonorsChoose staff affinity group Black Organization of Soulful Staff (BOSS) screened these selections:
- Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am
- If Beale Street Could Talk
- Creed 2
- The Last Black Man in San Francisco
Learn
- Learn more about people and events in American history that are critically important but not well known through Equal Justice Initiative’s A History of Racial Injustice Calendar
- Understand The History Behind Black History Month, which was created by African American educator and scholar Carter G. Woodson who “sought to help African Americans rediscover a history which had been intentionally buried by white mainstream culture“
- Access the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture for trusted information, interpretation, and scholarship on the global Black experience
- Virtually visit the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C.
Support
- Check out the BOSS Giving Page to find DonorsChoose projects curated by our Black team members
- Search Give Blck, a comprehensive database of Black-founded nonprofits, to find and champion Black-led organizations
We’re so grateful for the opportunity to honor Black history with this community of educators and advocates. Tell us below how you’re celebrating with your community this month!
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