LibGuides: Black History Month Resources: Introduction

Welcome

This guide provides a starting point to learn about Black History Month which is celebrated annually during the month of February. This guide is intended as a non-exhaustive resource on contemporary and historic Black figures and their works, accomplishments, and histories. In it, we strive to recognize the intersectional nature of identity and hope to highlight voices and stories across a wide range of lived experience, while acknowledging and condemning the current and tragically persistent trend of anti-Black racism and violence in the United States.

The Shepherd University community is welcome to suggest resources, guides, or any other information relevant to this guide by contacting tcarlisl@shepherd.edu.

Origins of Black History Month

Nationally, February is recognized as Black History Month in the United States. Dr. Carter Woodson is known as the "Father of Black History" because of his instrumental role in establishing Black History month.

"Recognizing the dearth of information on the accomplishments of Blacks in 1915, Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Under Woodson’s pioneering leadership, the Association created research and publication outlets for Black scholars with the establishment of the Journal of Negro History (1916) and the Negro History Bulletin (1937), which garners a popular public appeal. In 1926, Dr. Woodson initiated the celebration of Negro History Week, which corresponded with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, this celebration was expanded to include the entire month of February, and today Black History Month garners support throughout the country as people of all ethnic and social backgrounds discuss the Black experience."

Source: Brown, Korey Boyers. "Carter G. Woodson."

2023 Theme

The theme selected for the 2023 African American History Month is "Black Resistance." The Association for the Study of African American Life and History explains that this year's theme is an important one. The ASALH states that "Black resistance strategies have served as a model for every other social movement in the country, thus, the legacy and importance of these actions cannot be understated." The theme was chosen given the importance of what is happening in the country and that "this is a call to everyone, inside and outside the academy, to study the history of Black Americans’ responses to establish safe spaces, where Black life can be sustained, fortified, and respected."