Black History Month: Honoring the Past, Empowering the Future

Every February, communities across the United States, and increasingly, around the world recognize Black History Month. It's a time to celebrate the achievements, resilience, and contributions of Black individuals throughout history and today. More importantly, it's an opportunity to center Black voices, deepen our collective understanding of systemic racism, and commit to creating a more equitable future for all.

While Black history is American history, Black History Month provides a focused space to honor stories that have too often been left out of textbooks, classroom lessons, and national conversations.

Why Black History Month Matters

Black History Month is not just a chance to revisit the legacy of legendary figures like Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X—it’s a reminder that Black excellence, innovation, and leadership have been foundational to every chapter of history and remain vital today.

It’s about:

• Correcting historical omission and celebrating contributions in science, politics, art, medicine, law, education, music, and every other field.

• Recognizing ongoing struggles faced by Black communities, including racial discrimination, health disparities, and unequal access to opportunity.

• Uplifting joy and resilience—amplifying stories of brilliance, creativity, and community-building.

• Encouraging action—in classrooms, households, workplaces, and places of worship.

  
  

How Families Can Celebrate and Educate at Home

Every home plays an important role in raising the next generation of informed, confident, and compassionate citizens. Here are a few ways to observe Black History Month as a family:

1. Read and Share Black Stories

Read books by Black authors and featuring Black protagonists. Choose age-appropriate titles based on where your child is developmentally, and don’t shy away from difficult history—children are remarkably capable of empathy when given the chance to understand. Make space for joy too: books about friendship, adventure, cooking, STEM, and identity matter just as much as historical or biographical texts.

2. Use Media as a Tool

Watch documentaries, children’s programs, or short films that feature Black changemakers. Listen to music rooted in Black culture—from jazz and blues to hip-hop and gospel—and explore the history behind it.

3. Support Black-Owned Businesses and Creators

Purchase from Black authors, artists, and local business owners. Share their work with others and explain to children why economic equity is part of racial justice.

4. Visit Cultural Spaces

Explore virtual museum exhibits dedicated to Black history and culture, or locally visit museums, historical sites, or commemorative events if available.

5. Talk About Representation

When watching movies, reading books, or observing ads, ask: “Who’s represented here? Who’s missing?” Encourage critical thinking around the media they consume and the stories that are elevated.

Looking to the Future

Celebrating Black History Month is not confined to 28 (or 29) days of the year—it is a launching point for broader, ongoing conversations about race, justice, identity, and belonging. It’s about instilling in children—Black and non-Black alike—that diversity isn’t a box to check, but an essential part of understanding our collective humanity.

For Black children, particularly, it is an affirmation that their history is one of greatness, resilience, and immeasurable value. For all children, it’s a call to respect, understand, and stand up for others in meaningful ways.

Black History Month is a time to look backward—to honor the people who built, shaped, and uplifted society—and to look forward with hope. It’s a time to elevate unheard voices, learn with curiosity and humility, and build a world where every child sees themselves reflected in the stories we tell.

As parents and caregivers, our responsibility is to not only teach history, but to create history—by building equity into our conversations, our actions, and the future we are preparing our children to lead.