Throughout the course of America’s history, there has been an uncomfortable truth that many Black Americans have faced: we have lost access to our past. Slavery was a time in our history that redefined our story in the most tangible way. We often forget that many of the sociopolitical challenges we see today are a result of that lost history. However, we are able to define our own stories now by being intentional about honoring Black history as part of America’s history.
Our closest reach to Black history today has been through art, in large part, simply because it connects us to the traditions of our ancestors. Each year, Black History Month expands our views of tradition and enables us to continue striving to be part of a history that remains largely untouched.
The History of Black History Month
Carter G. Woodson, founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History and the “father of Black history,” first established “Negro History Week” in 1926 to expand the consciousness of American history by teaching Black history and culture in public schools. Woodson selected the second week of February to observe Negro History Week as it coincided with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and Frederick Douglass, a profound abolitionist and advocate for human rights.
By the 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement motivated the evolution of Negro History Week to Black History Month. President Gerald Ford would eventually be the first president to formally designate February as Black History Month during our country’s 1976 bicentennial anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. National Black History Month was later signed into law by Congress in 1986.
The Arts and the Harlem Renaissance
This year’s theme for Black History Month is “African Americans and the Arts.” Black art is a combination of African, Caribbean and Black American experiences that have taken the form of some of the greatest visual, literature, and other cultural expressions we have ever seen. With such a rich story, we still have trouble telling it, however. Art by Black American artists account for just 1.9% of all auction sales between 2008 and mid-2022. Of more than 8,000 Marvel comic book characters, only 14 are Black. As of 2023, just 6% of writers, directors, and producers of US-produced films are Black. Despite this, sociopolitical movements have drawn more attention to Black art as a guiding light for hope, empowerment, and resiliency over the past few years. It has been the key to untold stories that have helped to preserve the Black experience.
One shining example of the power of art in the Black American culture is what we saw during the Harlem Renaissance from the 1910s through the 1930s. It was a time when the light on the African American culture was brighter than it had ever been as it was embodied by the richness of black literature, music, and performance arts. It was the talent of remarkable individuals such as Langston Huges, Zora Neale Hurston, and Josephine Baker that not only redefined African American art, but also created avenues for other Black entrepreneurs to flourish in Harlem as consumers and socializers of the arts. Black-owned businesses made up 25% of all businesses in Harlem by 1916. Just five years later in 1921, that number went up to 35%. Most of these consisted of grocery stores, restaurants, beauty salons, real estate offices, and saloons, perfect places to brand, expand and preserve Black culture and arts.
But contributions to art barely scratch the surface of Black contributions to the U.S. economy and our rich entrepreneurial history of innovation. Home Technology was one of the top billion-dollar industries of 2023 of which Mary Van Brittan Brown, a Black nurse, contributed to with her invention of the home security system. Her work is expected to elevate the industry to $48 billion by 2026. Along with this, Daniel Hale Williams, one of first Black doctors to perform open-heart surgery in the U.S., has made significant contributions to a growing healthcare industry. This market is expected to reach $665 billion by 2028. As you can see, inclusion in business matters.
As entrepreneurs, you have the power to help preserve Black History and minimize the disparities that exists in the historical representations of people of color and the arts. Here are some ways we can do this:
Engage with Black-owned businesses and vendors wherever possible.
Invest in Black art, whether you’re commissioning a Black photographer for professional headshots or purchasing art from a Black painter for your lobby.
Schedule a company outing for Black History Month to a museum exhibit, performance or other event. Activities that focus on learning and inclusive activities do wonders for company culture. Remember to comply with applicable wage and hour requirements for your employees during the outing.
Talk to HR and marketing professionals with experience in helping businesses create a company culture and public presence that implements best practices in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
Celebrating and supporting Black history shouldn’t end on March 1. For additional reading, take a look at our previous blog detailing the value of Black-owned businesses. We also encourage entrepreneurs to explore resources available on TriNet’s HUB sitefor access to thought leadership, webinars, and a curated list of government opportunities for underrepresented businesses. Together, we can create a more inclusive and thriving entrepreneurial landscape.
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Each year, Black History Month brings another opportunity to discover contributions that enrich our nation. The 2024 theme, “African Americans and the Arts
African Americans and the Arts
African-American art is a broad term describing visual art created by African Americans. The range of art they have created, and are continuing to create, over more than two centuries is as varied as the artists themselves. Some have drawn on cultural traditions in Africa, and other parts of the world, for inspiration.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › African-American_art
The Black History Month 2024 theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” 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."
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring February 2024 as Black History Month. This month, we pay homage to the rich history and contributions of Black Americans who have shaped our state and nation in countless ways through centuries of struggle and triumph.
In 2024, we examine the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans. For centuries Western intellectuals denied or minimized the contributions of people of African descent to the arts as well as history, even as their artistry in many genres was mimicked and/or stolen.
For the 18th year, the UNI African American Read-In is part of National African American Read-In activities planned nationwide during Black History Month. Planning is underway for this virtual event planned for Feb. 15, 2024, with Iowa first graders. This year's event follows the theme "African Americans and the Arts."
Black History Month 2024 and Beyond: Celebrating and Amplifying Black Lives Year-Round. Image Alternative Text: Depicted is a raised fist, representative of Black solidarity and the fight against racial injustice, against bright-colored green, yellow/gold, and red strips, symbolizing pride and unity.
The Black History Month 2024 theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” 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.”
On February 10, 1976, President Gerald R.Ford issued a message recognizing Black History Month, becoming the first President to do so. The moment was decades in the making. In 1926 historian, author, and activist Dr.
The four colours that are used for Black History Month are black, red, yellow and green. Black represents resilience, red denotes blood, yellow is optimism and justice, and green symbolises rich greenery.
Why is Black History Month in February? Woodson chose February for Negro History Week because it had the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Lincoln was born on Feb. 12, and Douglass, a former slave who did not know his exact birthday, celebrated his on Feb.
Our churches can pray, preach and teach about the call and the commission of the gospel to advocate, serve and bring hope to the oppressed and marginalized. Our churches can follow the annual theme of Black history to connect with the celebration's purpose and direction each year.
Honors. 1946, Guggenheim Fellow in Poetry. 1950, Pulitzer Prize in Poetry Gwendolyn Brooks in 1950 became the first African-American to be given a Pulitzer Prize.
The theme, “African Americans and Labor,” intends to encourage broad reflections on intersections between Black people's work and their workplaces in all their iterations and key moments, themes, and events in Black history and culture across time and space and throughout the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora.
The annual theme for Black History month is determined by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. The theme for this year is "African Americans and the Arts." What is the origin of Black History Month?
THIS YEAR MARKS THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S SIGNING OF THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION, THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT PROCLAIMED THOSE ENSLAVED IN CONFEDERATE TERRITORY TO BE FREE.
Almost 100 years ago, Black History Month began as a weeklong event. It's now a month-long celebration that takes place every February. Black history embraces the 400-year-long record of Black life in America. It also includes stories and activism against slavery and modern-day racism.
Thurgood Marshall was the first Black American appointed to the Supreme Court. Though the U.S. Supreme Court was officially established in 1789, it would be nearly 180 years before a Black American was appointed as one of the justices.
Historian Carter G. Woodson launched Black History Week in 1926 to recognize the significant contributions of African Americans during the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and abolitionist/writer Frederick Douglass (February 14).
Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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