Black History Month
As February rolls around, there are a few different things that cross our mind. Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, and even winter coming to an end and spring starting up soon. But there is one very important concept that we must honor during the month. February is known as Black History Month. Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. This February, we are here to teach you the background, explain some history, and provide you with a few ways of how you can honor and show your support.
History
The story of Black History Month begins in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. Fast forward to 1976, President Gerald Ford officially declared and established Black History Month, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Today, we use Black History Month as a way to honor the various contributions and legacies of African Americans throughout U.S History, as well as specific leaders in things such as industry, politics, science, culture and so much more.
Black History Month Theme
What a lot of people do not know is that since 1976, every American president has endorsed a specific theme for each year. The Black History Month 2022 Theme is Black Health and Wellness. This focus will celebrate the contributions and breakthroughs of Black professionals, but also showing appreciation to the cultural richness of those “non-traditional” health and wellness practitioners, such as midwives, doulas, etc. This February, be sure to show extra appreciation!
Show Your Support
If you are looking for ways to show extra support during Black History Month, we have a few ideas to help you get started! One of the most beneficial ways to do so is by supporting your local Black-owned businesses. Although significant improvement has been made over the years, a lot of Black-owned businesses still face structural racism, which ultimately can pose a threat to their longevity and overall ability to serve their community. Another great way to show your support is by donating to charities that support Anti-Racism and are aiming for justice and equality for the Black community. A little support can go a long way when it comes to donating! The overall most beneficial thing you can do is continue to educate yourself, as well as the people around you, so that we can continue to make progress with racial equality.
