It's important for all of us to learn more about and share the impact Black Americans have had in the United States and beyond. February is Black History Month and it can be not just a reminder, but an opportunity for all of us to dig deeper and learn more about the culture and influence Black People have had, and continue to have in America. Your family will find inspiration learning about the people, places and events from the past to the present day. After all . . . Black history is "American history," and we should celebrate it, not only in this Month, but all year long. Here are 20 ideas with information and resources to help get you started to inspire and engage your kids about Black History in America.
Have you ever wondered why Black History Month is in February?
- Honoring Black History got its start in the United States in 1926 when historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans from the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the second week of February to be "Negro History Week," to honor the birthdays of both President Abraham Lincoln and former slave turned abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
- However, it wasn't until 1976 that president Gerald Ford officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Every president since has done the same.
- No longer exclusive to the U.S. now other countries worldwide also devote a month to celebrating Black history, including Canada and Germany in February; the United Kingdom, Ireland and the Netherlands in October; and Belgium in March - plus a few more in recent years.
20 idea to learn more about Black History with your family:
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1. Books and Movies
Reading books and enjoying movies with your kids that feature Black people, Black history and themes is a great way to learn. Anytime you see interesting diverse books consider adding them to you home library to enjoy all year long. Read together and encourage your children to read on their own too. There are so many great books and movies to choose from - I've shared a few to get you started.
Helpful tip: Your local libraries are a great resource for Free books and Free movies for you to pick up in-person or enjoy online. Also look for free options made available on demand this February for Black History month an well as specially scheduled programs.
- 10 Books + 10 Movies for Your Family to Celebrate Black History Month
- Books by Black authors featuring Black characters
2. Honor Black American Veterans
Read about courageous Black American veterans, including the 54th Massachusetts Regiment and the Buffalo Soldiers; along with other Black Men and Women like Milton Olive, III, a U.S. Army soldier who sacrificed his life to save others by falling on a grenade; or Evelyn Greenblatt Howren, an aviator who helped organize the first all-woman squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. Let's not forget the iconic Tuskegee Airmen, including women like Mildred Carter, Willa Brown, and Bessie Coleman. Or talk with a Black military veteran you know; let them tell you about their experiences - be sure to tell them how appreciative you are of their service.
- Historical Black veterans throughout history
- Black Heroes Throughout US Military History
- Celebrating Iconic Black Veterans
- Black Civil War Soldiers
- LAPL Book list: African Americans in the Civil War
- Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. - How this African American pilot helped fly the United States to victory
- Josephine Baker's Daring Double Life as a World War II Spy
- Watch - Moriah Films presents Courage+Valor: Stories that Inspire: The Tuskegee Airmen
3. Literature and Poetry
Read thought-provoking poems by famous Black poets including Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Phyllis Wheatley, W.E.B. DuBois, or Amanda Gorman with your family. Maybe they will inspire your kids to write poems of their own.
- 25 Black Poets For Your Soul
- 10 Influential Black Authors You Should Read
- Black Women in Art and Literature
- Author Alex Haley 1921-1992, best known for works depicting the struggles of African Americans including "Roots."
4. Keep it Local
Research important moments, locations and figures relevant to Black history in your community and all over Ventura and Los Angeles Counties as well as our great state of California. Need a good place to start? Local libraries, museums and historic sites.
- Stay tuned and check back soon for local people and places to learn about
5. Learn through Play
Indulge in some role-playing with your family, get creative with these ideas to start:
- Have a sit-in, like four friends who stood up by sitting down, and talk about how brave they were - ask your kids what they think?
- Learn and talk about the meaning behind a famous speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Turn your family room into a living history museum or living wax museum by dressing up as a Black American historical figures - above is my son dressed up as Milton Lee Olive, III
6. Take a Virtual tour
There are many museum and historic places located all over that offer options for virtual tours via their websites and Youtube.
- Virtually visit the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture here and here
- NY Public Library provides access to trusted information, interpretation, and scholarship on the global Black experience through online materials at the Schomburg Center created and curated by our staff and librarians
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7. Learn about the Court cases that set precedent
Discover key Supreme Court cases that impacted Black people in the U.S. in the past and today - the good, bad and ugly. Research the prior events that lead up to those cases. Discover if the court decisions sparked any actions, aftermath, reversals, additional cases or legislation. Discuss how these case impact us today.
Explore beyond the supreme court and learn about case from colonial American, significant State cases and also how many Slaves use the laws in California to win their freedom in Court.
- Elizabeth Key was the first woman of African ancestry in the American colonies to sue for her freedom from slavery and win.
- Almost a decade before the U.S. Constitution was signed into law, Mum Bett (Elizabeth Freeman) was the first African American woman to successfully file a lawsuit for her freedom won in the state of Massachusetts.
- Cases presided by Thurgood Marshall, our first Black Supreme Court justice
- The Dred Scott case, also known as Dred Scott v. Sandford, was a decade-long fight for freedom by a Black enslaved man named Dred Scott.
- Plessy v. Ferguson was a landmark 1896 U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine.
- Loving v. Virginia was a Supreme Court case that struck down state laws banning interracial marriage in the United States
- Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka was a landmark 1954 Supreme Court case in which the justices ruled unanimously that racial segregation of children in public schools was unconstitutional
- The Scottsboro Boys: learn about their case and the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the convictions in 1932, in Powell v. State of Alabama; also unfair and unequal court proceedings led to two additional groundbreaking Supreme Court decisions in 1935 on jury diversification: Patterson v. State of Alabama and Norris v. State of Alabama
- Library of Congress Collection: Slaves and the Courts, 1740 to 1860
- Wysinger v. Crookshank brought before the Supreme Court of California, it's the first case in the state to abolish school segregation of African Americans in California on January 29, 1890. This case would be used as legal precedent in the U.S. Supreme Court case Brown vs. Board of Education, enabling school integration nationwide.
- C.A. Stovall v. Archy: Archy Lee, a slave brought to California from Missouri with his owner Charles Stovall who later planned to return with Archy back to Missouri. Archy took his case to court later going before the California Supreme Court where he won his freedom in 1858.
8. Explore the Explorers
Learn about the Black trailblazers who've explored this country and the world. Ask your kids how these stories inspire them and where or what they would like to explore?
- 7 amazing Black explorers who made a mark in history
- 5 Black Explorers to Inspire You to See the World
- Incredible stories of six famous Black explorers
- 8 Black Explorers to Celebrate this Black History Month
- 10 Famous Black Explorers who made a mark in history
9. Be Dramatic
Read or watch the works of playwright August Wilson, referred to as the "theater's poet of Black America." Wilson is best known for a series of ten plays collectively called The Pittsburgh Cycle, each set in a different decade of the 20th century, chronicling the African-American community's experiences and heritage. He won Pulitzer Prizes for two of them: Fences and The Piano Lesson. Fences was turned into a movie in 2016 starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis; rated PG-13.
10. Who was First?
Learn about some of the many famous African American "firsts" including the first Black: combat pilot, Nobel Prize winner, Oscar winner, Miss America, President and V.P. of the United States. Learn about other early Black pioneers.
- Matthias de Sousa, an indentured servant, was the only black person to serve in the colonial Maryland legislature. As such he is the first African American to sit in any legislative body in what would become the United States.
- George Edwin Taylor would become the first African American selected by a political party to be its candidate for the presidency of the United States in 1904.
- Thurgood Marshall - How the first black Supreme Court justice changed children’s lives
- 1869 Hiram R. Revels is the first African American to serve in the United States Senate
- Also in 1869 Joseph Rainey, a former slave was elected the First Black Congressman
- Jefferson Franklin Long, born a slave was the second Black Congressman and the first black member to speak on the floor of the House of Representatives, was also the only black representative from Georgia for just over a century.
- Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman elected to the House of Representatives
- Trailblazing athlete Althea Gibson became the first great African American player in women’s tennis
- In 1940, Hattie McDaniel was the first African American performer to win an Academy Award
- Learn about the life of the first Black president: Barack Obama was the 44th president of the United States
- Learn about the life of the first female V.P. of the United States: Kamala Harris
- Five You Should Know: Black Actresses Who Refused to Be Typecast
- 101 African American Firsts
11. Enjoy the Music
From the early days in this country on to today there are so many Black voices for us to listen and dance to. You'll find influential and groundbreaking Black musicians touching every genre of music. Introduce your children to your favorites, discover some new voices and learn their backstories together. Then crank the tunes and get your groove on!
- Early African American Music 1900 - 1940
- Exploring the History of Black Music
- Timeline of African American Music
- Learn about the history of hip-hop music, a genre that emerged in the Bronx, New York, in 1970 - compare and contrast the songs and rap styles from 1970 till now
- 50 most important African American music artists of all time
- Black Musicians Who Changed Music Forever
- 28 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Black Singers Of All Time
- Watch and listen to Uniting Voices Chicago, formerly the Chicago Children's Choir via their YouTube Channel
- iHeart: Influential Black Musicians
12. Get Stylish
Discover the Black people who were innovators and influencers of fashion from designers to models, singers and more.
- Black designers who shaped fashion history
- Highlighting 100 years of influential Black style stars
- 27 Of Our Favorite Black Fashion Icons
- Illuminating Black culture’s influence on fashion
- This Iconic Garment Wasn't Actually Invented in America's Wild West
- The legendary Zelda Wynn Valdes (June 28, 1905 – September 26, 2001) was an African-American fashion designer and costumer.
13. Let's get Cooking
Cook a traditional soul food meal for or with your family. Take inspiration from the many Black chefs and food influencers.
- Augustus Jackson (1808-1852) worked as a chef in the White House in Washington D.C. from 1817-1837 - He cooked for Presidents; James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson. He is known for making ice cream creating new flavors and techniques.
- Food of the Enslaved: Michael Twitty cooks recipes from American history
- African American Chefs You Should Know
- 38 Black Chefs And Foodies You Should Definitely Be Following On Instagram
- 80 Best Black Food Bloggers
- LAPL Book list: African American History Month: Cookbooks & Food
14. Play a Game
Learn about and play a traditional African game. Mancala is just one of many - DIY your own Mancala game board with things you have around the house.
- Teach your kids to play the African counting game Mancala
- Make Your Own Portable Mancala Set
- Best African Games For Children To Play
- African games to teach kids from different African countries
15. Increase your aspirations
Learn all about successful Black American from the early days to today. Gain inspiration from their struggles and their achievements.
- The earliest wealthy Black Americans
- America's First Black Millionaires
- Madam C. J. Walker (1867-1919) was “the first Black woman millionaire in America”
- The 10 richest Black Americans in 2022 including two women
- America's Top Black CEOs
- Legendary Black Entrepreneurs - 11 luminaries who have led by example
16. Science - Technology - Engineering - Mathematics
African American contributions to STEM fields have greatly impacted society. Explore Black innovators in STEM who changed the world, such as George Washington Carver, who was born into slavery and went on to become arguably the most famous Black scientist and inventor, and Dr. Marie M. Daly, a biochemist and the first Black woman to obtain a Ph.D. in chemistry in the United States.
- Learn More About these 35 Scientists for Black History Month
- National Geographics Kids: Making History: African American Pioneers of Science
- National Geographics Kids: George Washington Carver
- In the post–Civil War South one man made it his mission to use agricultural chemistry and scientific methodology to improve the lives of impoverished farmers
- African Americans in Business and Entrepreneurship: A Resource Guide - Inventors & STEM Professionals
- 10 Black Innovators who Changed the Gaming Industry
- Jerry Lawson was a pioneering black engineer back when it was even harder in Silicon Valley
- Lonnie George Johnson (born 1949) is known for inventing the Super Soaker water gun - He also worked as an engineer on spacecraft that were sent to Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn. Now his companies create technology for everything from toys to spacecraft to green energy. Read more and watch a kid-friendly video about Lonnie.
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17. Be a good Sport!
- Learn about the most significant moments, figures, and accomplishments in African-American sports history.
- Black Athletes and Civil Rights: 6 Upstanders to Introduce to Your Students
- Joe Louis 1914-1981, nicknamed the “Brown Bomber,” was heavyweight champion of the world from 1937 to 1949
- 6 Decades Before Jackie Robinson, This Man Broke Baseball's Color Barrier
- Watch: 22 Stories about the Negro Leagues
- How the Only Woman in Baseball Hall of Fame Challenged Convention—and MLB
- How the Harlem Globetrotters Rose From Midwest Obscurity to Become Global Stars
- Trailblazing Black Women in Sports
- Trailblazing athlete Althea Gibson became the first great African American player in women’s tennis
18. Follow their lead
Learn about important Black Leaders in the U.S., past and present, including some elected and appointed
- A slave who became a successful plantation owner, Blanche Kelso Bruce was the second African American to serve in the United States Senate and the first to be elected to a full term.
- An escaped slave and a Civil War hero, Robert Smalls served five terms in the U.S. House.
- Get in the way and get in some good trouble like John Lewis. Stand up for something you believe is not fair, write letters or plan a peaceful protest in his honor. Watch Now: Moriah Films Honors Civil Rights Icon John Lewis
- Black-American Members by Congress
- LAPL Book list: African American History Month: Political Leaders
19. Travel Back in Time
Go back to the beginning and explore significant events and people that over time shaped our country's Black History. Here are some people and events to get you started, but don't stop here.
- Harriet Tubman: 8 Facts About the Daring Abolitionist - Born into slavery, she escaped to freedom in the North in 1849 and then risked her life to lead other enslaved people to freedom.
- Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) was the most prominent African American woman to participate in both the abolition of slavery and women’s rights movements in the 19th century - Her activity just before and during the Civil War earned an invitation to meet President Abraham Lincoln in 1864.
- Black Cowboys: The Unsung Heroes of the Frontier
- Follow the Great Migration, the relocation of over 6 million Black Americans from the rural South to the cities of the North, Midwest and West from about 1916 to 1970.
- 10 Black History Facts That Are Least Known
- A Teacher's Perspective: An At-Home Lesson for Black History Month
- Learn about Emmett Till, a 14-year old Black youth, murdered in August 1955 in a racist attack that shocked the nation and provided a catalyst for the emerging civil rights movement.
- Learn about the Freedom Rides. Watch: Freedom Riders, a film by Stanley Nelson.
- How the Greensboro Four Sit-In Sparked a Movement
- The Little Rock Nine were a group of nine Black students who enrolled at formerly all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in September 1957. Their attendance at the school was a test of Brown v. Board of Education, a landmark 1954 Supreme Court ruling that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
- Ruby Bridges (born 1954) integrated a formerly all-white elementary school in New Orleans, Louisiana, when she was six years old. Four armed Federal marshals had to escort her to school every day to keep her safe. Learn what she's up to today.
- Learn More about Martin Luther King Jr.
- 5 Interesting Facts To Share With Kids About Martin Luther King Jr.
- Timeline of Malcolm X's Life
- How the Black Power Movement Influenced the Civil Rights Movement
- How the Black Panthers’ Breakfast Program Both Inspired and Threatened the Government putting pressure on political leaders to feed children before school.
- 10+ Places Where Your Family Can Explore Black History Across the U.S.
20. Don't Stop
There is so much to learn as information from the past comes to light and new events and leaders emerge.
Keep searching, learning, and growing!
- Influential Black Families Who Inspire Us All to Make a Difference!
- Short and informative Videos: Black History in Two Minutes or so
- Black History Milestones: Timeline
- Classroom resources for Black History Month
- Voices Remembering Slavery: Freed People Tell Their Stories - took place between 1932 and 1975 in nine states
- The SlaveVoyages website a collaborative digital initiative of the largest slave trades in history
