As we embrace the month of February, we embark on a journey to celebrate the rich tapestry of African American history.

History

The story of Black History Month traces its roots back to 1915, a pivotal moment occurring half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States.

In that historic year, the visionary Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and the esteemed minister Jesse E. Moorland joined forces to establish the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). This organization, now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), was dedicated to researching and promoting the remarkable achievements of Black Americans and other individuals of African descent.

Fast forward to 1926, when ASALH sponsored a national Negro History Week, strategically choosing the second week of February to align with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. This initiative sparked a wave of inspiration, prompting schools and communities nationwide to organize local celebrations, establish history clubs, and host engaging performances and lectures.

Over the ensuing decades, mayors from cities across the country began issuing yearly proclamations recognizing "Negro History Week." By the late 1960s, influenced by the civil rights movement and a growing awareness of Black identity, this week evolved into what we now know as Black History Month on many college campuses.

In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially acknowledged Black History Month, urging the public to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

Today, Black History Month stands as a time to honor the enduring contributions and legacy of African Americans in U.S. history and society. From activists and civil rights pioneers like Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks to leaders in industry, politics, science, culture, and beyond – we commemorate the indelible impact they have made.

Join us in celebrating the diverse stories, achievements, and resilience that shape the narrative of Black History Month. Together, let's honor and amplify the voices that have shaped our collective history.

What's happening on campus?

At the Merle-Smith Campus, the student life committee is preparing an upcoming Advisory workshop about Martin Luther King Jr.'s radical approach to social justice, and the student-led Black Student Union is preparing to lead Chapel on February 9. Fifth grade will take the lead on highlighting iconic African American musicians and important profiles from Black history on MABC throughout February at the Historic Downtown Campus. At Swain, families are providing food for all grade levels to sample during lunch periods. Thanks in advance to community members: Ingrid Russell, Clayvi Brown, Lynn Mohommed, Celina Martin, Shara Johnson-Mells, Veronica H. Moore, Alicia Smith, Sabrina Carson, Edith Gutierrez-Hawbaker, Erica Vanderburg, Joel Jackson, Ca Misha Stewart, Tania Brannon, Skye Greene, Jasmine Salgado, Christal Harding, Janicca Covington, and Glowdein Ambrose-John. 

Special Town Halls are also planned with performances from musical community groups,  presentations from Middle School students, and a Beginning School meeting presented by a Swain family member. All grade levels will collaborate on a bulletin board featuring African Americans in the Arts, the 2024 theme for Black History Month.

On January 24, we welcomed guest speaker Troy Lewis, author of Gas Money, to the Historic Downtown and Swain Campuses. After speaking during Chapel at the HDC, Mr. Lewis visited Miss Endress's first-grade class, where he answered questions,  spoke about his experience integrating into a white school in 1969 and shared how powerful an act of kindness can be. 

These are the first of many ways Moravian Academy will honor and amplify Black voices and history in February and throughout the year. Be sure to follow @moravianacademy on social media to see how Black History Month is being celebrated in classrooms and special programming across our campuses. 

There's More to Explore: Additional Resources

• National Geographic Kids
• National Museum of African American History & Culture
• Celebrating Black Leaders - PBS Kids for Parents
• African American History at a Glance - Brittanica Kids
• Black History Book List - WorldCat
• Black History Month
• Zinn Education Project