Black History Month 2024

Historical Context

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Dr. Carter G. Woodson pioneered the first Negro History Week. It was decided that it would be celebrated during the week that held the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two influential figures in the history of Black history. Prior celebrations have been documented as far back as the early 1900s and later was extended to a month-long acknowledgment of the historical contributions of Black people. 

With the current social climate, celebrating and acknowledging these historical contributions is vital to preserving the true history of the Black culture. 

“Black History Month shouldn’t be treated as though it was somehow separate from our collective American history or somehow just boiled down to a compilation of greatest hits from the March on Washington or from some of our sports heroes.”
– President Barack Obama's speech at the annual reception for Black History Month at the White House on February 18, 2016

This year’s theme for Black History Month is African Americans and the Arts. “African American art is infused with African, Caribbean, and the Black American lived experiences. In the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression, the African American influence has been paramount. African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment.” (ASALH - Association for the Study of African American Life and History) 

Learn more about how we’re celebrating Black History Month through the following events and exhibitions.