Black History Month: A Celebration of Past and Present Contributions

Each year during Black History Month, our favorite news programs and our newsfeeds shift focus to highlight the achievements of prominent African Americans throughout history.  However, these clips and posts often center around the same small cluster of investors, activists, and entrepreneurs—Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, Harriet Tubman, etc.  While their contributions are most certainly crucial to American history, there are other significant figures from the past who are often overlooked, and there are plenty of people making their mark on society today.

Black History Month began when historian Carter G. Woodson realized African Americans were sorely underrepresented in history books.  He formed the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History and established Negro History Week in 1926.  Negro History Week took place the second week of February, to acknowledge the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

In the 1960s, at the height of the civil rights movement, colleges and universities expanded the week into an entire month—a move that has since become a national tradition.

Black History Month ensures we never forget about the many ways African Americans have contributed to American society.  But it also demands that we appreciate what’s happening right now.

We must continue to celebrate modern trailblazers like Barack Obama, whose historic two terms as the President of the United States will influence American politics for years to come.  We must also recognize those in entertainment who are breaking down doors.  In just the last two months, actor Sterling K. Brown has become the first black actor to win in the drama categories at the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.  And we must celebrate extraordinary people who aren’t politicians or celebrities, like Christopher Gardner, who overcame poverty and homelessness to found his own brokerage firm.  His story spawned a hit movie, a bestselling book, and it enabled him to build low-income housing for San Francisco’s homeless.

This Black History Month, in addition to honoring the pioneers of the past, let’s recognize the lesser known names from the past, and let’s pay tribute to those knocking down doors in modern times.  And, there is no need to limit this to celebrities.  Amazing people within our own communities are making a difference.  Take time to salute them as well.