Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It’s recognised in the UK in October and in the US in February.
Black History Month is the annual celebration and commemoration of moments in history, achievements and contributions that Black people have made.
The theme of this years Black History Month explores the key influence African Americans have had in the fields of “visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression.”
Black art is an integral part of this history and it has been a powerful tool for telling the story of Black people and their experiences. From the Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter and beyond, Black artists have used their talents to create works that reflect their community, their culture, and their struggles. These artists have pushed the boundaries of what is considered art, creating works that are bold, innovative, and deeply rooted in the Black experience.
These following artists in particular have made significant contributions to the world of art and are well worth exploring during this month of celebration:
In 1915, in response to the lack of information on the accomplishments of Black people available to the public, historian Carter G. Woodson co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In 1926, the group declared the second week of February as “Negro History Week” to recognise the contributions of African Americans to U.S. history.
The week-long event officially became Black History Month in 1976 when U.S. President Gerald Ford extended the recognition to “honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history.”
Since the first Negro History Week in 1926, other countries have joined the United States in celebrating Black people and their contribution to history and culture, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands.
First brought to the UK in the 1980s, Black History Month was initially introduced to the country by a member of the Greater London Council, Akyaaba Addai Sebo. Since 1987, Black History Month has been celebrated annually in the UK, to eradicate discrimination and encourage racial equality.
Black History Month continues the discussion of Black people and their contributions through activities such as museum exhibits and film screenings, and by encouraging the study of achievements by African Americans year-round.
Studies revealed that 60% of Black professionals still experience racism in the workplace, so a key motivator behind Black History Month is to highlight how people from such communities have made pivotal contributions to society.
It has also been reported that 25% of people find that assumptions are made about their abilities, character or behaviour due to their race. Such statistics emphasise the importance of Black History Month, as the event brings to light how Black people are both uncredited in our history books and undervalued in the workplace.