Celebrating Black History Month

The theme for Black History Month in 2025 is

“African Americans and Labor”.

 

The theme aims to highlight the significant impact of work on Black people, and how it intersects with their collective experiences. Work is central to much of Black history and culture, and considering it from a variety of perspectives can provide new insights into Black life and culture over time. 

 

Black History Month began in 1915 after Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard-trained historian, and Jesse E. Moorland, a prominent minister, founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The organization is dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other people of African descent. The celebration began as Black History Week and fell in the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas.

 

 

President Gerald Ford officially recognized this celebration as Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to recognize the accomplishments of the African Americans that were too-often neglected throughout American history. Today, Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans, whether this be activists, civil rights leaders, or leaders in industry, politics, science, and culture.

Each Black History Month has a theme associated with it. Last year the theme was African Americans and the Arts to explore the key influence African Americans have had in the performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, film, music, architecture, culinary, and other forms of cultural expression.

This year, the theme of Black History Month is African Americans and Labor to highlight and celebrate impact of work from African Americans. Considering African Americans work through the widest perspectives provides versatile and insightful platforms for examining Black life and culture through time and space.

 

 

 

February 1, 2025, Written by: Kaitlyn Keenan, McGregor Marketing and Communication Intern, Graphics by: Kat Eddy, McGregor Marketing and Communication Intern

 

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