February is Black History Month!
10 Ways to Support Black History Month
Support Black-owned businesses - Becoming a customer, specifically during February when these companies have a lot more visibility, is a great way to celebrate. You can find companies by searching the #blackowned hashtag for online searches and on social media platforms.
Learn about noteworthy Black figures and their contributions - Typically, Black History Month draws associations with well-known figures like Civil Rights leader MLK, Jr. and Rosa Parks, but there are many others to learn about. Visit BlackPast.org for an extensive list of other notable Black figures.
Donate to charities that support anti-racism equity and equality - Charities and organizations that support anti-racism and equality, such as the NAACP, need donors to continue their collective work to seek justice for the Black community.
Listen to or read The New York Times “1619″ Project - The “1619″ Project is a long-form historical recounting of the role slavery played in the transformation of America.
Purchase, read, and share books by Black authors - Add Black authors to your reading list like James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, Eddie Glaude, Jr., and Ta-Nehisi Coates. Also, consider joining a book club that focuses on Black literature, and share what books you’re reading with friends, family, and your social media.
Virtually visit museums that center Black history and culture - Here are some great virtual tours for Black History Month:
Watch Films or TV Shows by Black Creators - Netflix’s Black Lives Matter category highlights films and TV shows centered around the Black experience in America, including “Loving,” a film about an interracial couple whose marriage became the basis of a landmark Supreme Court case.
Attend Black History Month virtual events – Cascade Festival of African Films – February 4 - March 5 2022 -Billed as the longest-running nonprofit African film festival in America, Portland Community College’s free virtual film festival has celebrated African achievements and hopes for the future since 1991. All films (with one exception) will be available to watch online.
Learn about Black Music - “Summer of Soul” a music documentary Summer of Soul, part music film, part documentary, focuses on The Harlem Cultural Festival, during the summer of love in 1969. It shines a light on the importance of history and the healing power of music during times of unrest.
Watch Black history documentaries - “Portland Civil Rights: Lift Ev’ry Voice” is an “Oregon Experience” documentary, that explores Portland's African American history with a focus on the turbulent 1960s, '70s, and early '80s.
Black History made in 2021
Kamala Harris became the first woman, the first Black American, and the first South Asian American to be elected Vice President.
Amanda Gorman, a Black writer and, at 22, became the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history.
Raphael Warnock was elected as the first Black senator to represent Georgia.
President Biden signed legislation declaring Juneteenth a federal holiday.
Tishaura Jones became the first Black woman to be elected mayor of St. Louis, Missouri.
Josephine Baker became the first Black woman to have the honor of being interred at the Panthéon in Paris.
Terence Blanchard, is the first Black composer to have his work performed at the Metropolitan Opera.
Tamyra Mensah-Stock became the first Black woman to win a gold medal in wrestling at the Olympics, in Japan.
Zaila Avant-garde, a 14-year-old from Louisiana, became the first Black American contestant to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
