First officially recognized in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, Black History Month (also known as African-American History Month) was intended to “honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” However, Black History Month can trace its origins back to 1926, when the organization known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) “sponsored a national Negro History week . . . choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.” (For additional details, see the ASALH webpage “Origins of Black History Month.”)
Since 1928, there have been themes associated with this annual recognition, and “the themes reflect changes in how people of African descent in the United States have viewed themselves, the influence of social movements on racial ideologies, and the aspirations of the black community.” The theme of 2021 is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.” ASALH is hosting a 2021 Virtual Black History Month Festival, and “[s]everal events are free and open to the public on ASALH TV, the association’s premier YouTube channel.” Check out the schedule of events or register for the Marquee Event, which is titled, “A Conversation with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham.” The National Museum of African American History & Culture is also hosting a series of virtual events, beginning tomorrow evening with a program called, “400 Souls—A Conversation with Ibram Kendi and Keisha N. Blain.”
For those interested in reading, we’ve included below some recommended books for Black History Month and beyond from a few different sources:
Goodreads: 2021 Black History Month Books
The Oprah Magazine: 44 of the Best Books by Black Authors You Should Read in Your Lifetime
The New York Society Library: Black History Month 2021: Recent Books on African American History, Literature & More
Bookmiser: Celebrate Black History Month 2021
For the rest of February, watch for weekly Ex Libris Juris blog posts in recognition of Black History Month.