The Black experience in America is a unique microcosm of beauty, pain, triumph, and resilience. Historically, Black people have navigated slavery, its effects, systemic racism, and inequality, which still shows itself in multiple ways through the day-to-day experiences of African Americans. But the triumphant accomplishments of African Americans in the U.S. are why Black History Month exists, which originally began as Negro History Week in 1926 through scholar and historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950). Over time, the week evolved all the way up to 1970 through the advocacy of students at Kent State University. A few years later, President Gerald Ford nationally commemorated the month in 1976.
“History shows that it does not matter who is in power or what revolutionary forces take over the government; those who have not learned to do for themselves and have to depend solely on others never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they had in the beginning,” Woodson wrote in his book “The Miseducation of the Negro” in 1933.
The Role of Education
Education has played a critical role in the existence of Black History Month. It began with Dr. Carter G. Woodson, through his scholarly works as a historian with over 20 books, which began in Chicago in 1915. His most notable works include “The Mis-Education of the Negro,” “The Negro in Our History,” and “The Education of the Negro Prior to 1861.” While Carter G. Woodson did not attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), his influence illustrated itself through his career after he obtained two academic positions at Howard University and West Virginia State University after obtaining his degrees. Woodson earned a Bachelor of Literature degree from Berea College, bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Chicago, and a PhD from Harvard in 1912, notably becoming the second African American to achieve the accomplishment. His dedicated pursuit of education is the reason why he is known as the “Father of Black History.”
Other prominent educators include Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955) and Booker T. Washington (1856-1915), among many, who focused on building educational foundations that defied the grips of systemic racism, especially during the early 1900s. Bethune founded the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Girls in 1904 with only 5 students at the time.
Teaching them in a small cabin, she aimed to educate Black girls, bridging the gap between race, gender, and education, a feat that oftentimes presented challenges. Yet, the school prevailed, according to works about the school’s success collected at the National Women’s History Museum. The school later became Bethune-Cookman University. Bethune consistently urged Black girls to pursue their education and Black people to utilize their right to vote, as it became “a prerequisite for the full participation of Black women in public life and for their recognition as worthy women.”
Founder of the Tuskegee Institute in 1881, Booker T. Washington is a key player in education and contributing to Black History. “At the bottom of education, at the bottom of politics, even at the bottom of religion itself, there must be, for our race, as for all races, an economic foundation, economic prosperity, and economic independence,” said Washington at the Annual Address to the National Negro Business League in 1915. Thurgood Marshall, Fanny Jackson Coppin, Lucy Craft Laney, and more have also made significant contributions in education, strengthening the influence of Black history in American culture.
The Preservation of Black History
Black contributions to America have always been ingrained in the fabric of the U.S., dating all the way back to the 17th century. Black History Month is the root of our communal recognition of pivotal moments that span from migration to the South, to the Jim Crow Era, to the Civil Rights Movement, to current issues of wealth, health, and even economic inequities that directly impact Black Americans today. This year marks the 100-year anniversary of Black History Month, a time of the year that signifies full acknowledgement of the true essence of the preservation of Black culture.
In a 2022 guest opinion essay by the publisher of The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, Dr. John E. Warren, he said, “This Black History Month is probably one of the most important in our history. We are under attack as Jim Crow racism moves… We must speak truth to power as we remind our brothers and sisters of the racism of voter denial, the counting of jelly beans in a jar as permission to vote, and the push for what white Conservatives are calling “critical race theory” as a means of rewriting our history without the racism and lynchings that they imposed upon us.”
Today, other prominent figures, such as Lura Daniels-Ball, Jason Foster, and Dr. Robert Sausedo, are actively making contributions to the Black community through their work, contributing to the preservation of Black history in real time. Daniels-Ball is the president of Our Authors Study Club (OASC) of Los Angeles and is partnering with Mayor Karen Bass and the City of Los Angeles for the 76th Citywide Black History Celebration, with the theme being “A Century of Black History Commemorations” to honor 100 years since Dr. Carter G. Woodson created Negro History Week in 1926.
Official Opening Ceremonies begin on Feb. 4 at Los Angeles City Hall from 9:00am to 2:00pm, followed by other events throughout February. More information can be found at oascla.org/events. She said the following last year in a statement about the importance of Black History Month while also expressing support of Altadena fire victims.
“Even in this moment of profound challenge, we are reminded of the vision of Dr. Carter G. Woodson—the father of Black history—that remains so vital to our community’s resilience.” These same sentiments still echo today in the face of multiple issues that still impact the Black community currently.
Jason Foster is the president and CEO of Destination Crenshaw, a large-scale cultural infrastructure and public art initiative in South Los Angeles that highlights Black cultural narratives and history. Dr. Robert Sausedo is the president and CEO of Community Build Inc., a nonprofit that focuses on youth and community development, and is a participant in the Greater Los Angeles Black Leaders Collective to promote equity and preserve Black history in the city.
The Erasure of Black history
Under the current administration, several policies have been put forth that many suggest contribute to the erasure of Black history.
Here are how and why these EOs contribute to the erasure of Black History:
EO 14253 — “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” – According to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), this EO directs members of the Presidential Cabinet to work with Congress to defund Smithsonian Museum budgets, exhibits, and programs that “divide Americans based on race” or acknowledge transgender identity. It specifically criticizes the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum as creating “divisive, race-centered ideology” and harmful narratives. The EO also orders the Secretary of the Interior to reinstate monument names removed since 2020 and ensure monument descriptions do not disparage Americans, past or present.
EO 14190 — “Ending Racial Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling”—This EO bans “anti-American” teaching materials, including critical race theory, and restricts discussions on systemic racism and investigates educators supporting transgender minors. It promotes a “patriotic” history through the 1776 Commission and defunds schools teaching equity and Black history. This suppresses honest education about racial injustices, erasing Black history and reinforcing a white-centered historical narrative, while removing DEI frameworks from schools.
EO 14148 — “Initial Recessions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions”—Often paired along with EO 14190, this EO targets the portrayal of Black history in federal institutions, emphasizing “individual merit” over systemic context, denying systemic racial inequities. It pushes to eliminate DEI efforts in federal agencies and restricts academic and public exploration of Black history. The EO also rescinded 78 executive orders and 11 memoranda from the Biden administration, including those on DEI, climate change, and immigration.
A catalyst for social change
Black History Month is crucial for the Black community and an example to other communities of how important it is to highlight the contributions of Black figures and advancements in society and to most importantly preserve the truth of Black American history.
This year’s Black History Month can continue to serve as a catalyst for social change by:
Increasing Awareness: Continuing to draw attention to the Black communities’ historical and current accomplishments, hardships, and resiliency helps people understand social injustice and structural racism.
Educating and Empowering: Providing inclusive education about Black history and culture—outside of the classroom—equips individuals with knowledge to challenge stereotypes and advocate for equity.
Inspiring Action: Sharing experiences of Black activists and leaders inspires collective initiatives for community empowerment, racial justice, and continued focus on legislative change.
Building Solidarity: Strengthening networks and creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration across diverse groups will aid in the dismantling of systemic racism and also promote equality.
Influencing Policy: Black voices continuing to speak up against oppression, especially during this month, can pressure lawmakers, institutions, and government officials to implement critical changes in the areas that impact Black communities, such as criminal justice, education, civil rights, economic equity, and healthcare.
