IN TOUCH & IN TUNE

Tomorrow kicks off Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

Here are some ways to honor Black History Month

1. Support Black-Owned Businesses
2. Learn About Noteworthy Black Figures and their Contributions
3. Donate to Charities That Support Anti-Racism Equity and Equality
4. Purchase, Read, and Share Books by Black Authors
5. Support and Learn About Black Women
6. Listen to or Read “The 1619 Project” by the New York Times: “The 1619 Project” is a long-form historical recounting of the role slavery played in the transformation of America. The project references the year 1619, in which the first ship carrying enslaved Africans reached the shores of the colony of Virginia. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and project creator Nikole Hannah Jones hosts a podcast that dissects the link between slavery and American economics, the co-opting of Black musicians’ work, and the obstacles Black people faced with receiving healthcare and land ownership rights.
7. Participate in online events: https://nmaahc.si.edu/events
8. Attend Virtual Black History Month Celebrations: If you don’t know where to start looking for virtual events, check your city or state government websites for local listings for Black History month events such as online poetry-thons, scavenger hunts, art exhibits, performances and more.
9. Honor the many contributions people of African descent have made to music and our world. Check out this playlist on Apple Music