Douglas D. Schumann Library & Learning Commons: Black History Month : Celebrating Black History Month

Questions?

Contact a Librarian!

call: 617-989-4040

ASALH 2024 BHM Schedule of Events

Schedule of Virtual Events

Join the ASALH in celebrating Black History Month by attending one of their virtual events! Via Zoom, you can join book discussions and attend seminars about topics you may never have thought about before. Peruse the offerings on the website linked above, and be sure to let a librarian know if you attended any of the events!

Helpful Videos

The Danger of a Single Story

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Revolutionary Movements Then and Now:

Black Power and Black Lives Matter

US National Archives

Black History Month 2024: African Americans and the Arts

ASALH Black History 2024 Themes

Since its beginnings in 1926, Black History Month has been celebrated through the lens of a central theme each year, chosen by the ASALH. The theme allows educators and celebrants to focus in on certain aspects of Black History as well as the current Black experience in the United States. This year's theme is "African Americans and the Arts" which celebrates both the variety and impact of visual, literary, musical, and performing arts of people of African descent.

The ASALH introduces the theme succinctly, stating:

"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. Artistic and cultural movements such as the New Negro, Black Arts, Black Renaissance, hip-hop, and Afrofuturism, have been led by people of African descent and set the standard for popular trends around the world. In 2024, we examine the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans."

Black Healthcare in America

Organizations

Black Lives Matter
"#BlackLivesMatter was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Inc. is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives."
NAACP website
"Our mission is to achieve equity, political rights, and social inclusion by advancing policies and practices that expand human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination, and accelerate the well-being, education, and economic security of Black people and all persons of color."
Know Your Rights Camp
"Our mission is to advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders."
Color of Change
"Color Of Change is the nation’s largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by 7 million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America."
Higher Heights Leadership Fund
"Higher Heights Leadership Fund, a 501(c)(3), is building a national civic engagement infrastructure and network to strengthen Black women’s leadership capacity. Higher Heights Leadership Fund is investing in a long-term strategy to expand and support Black women’s leadership pipeline at all levels and strengthen their civic participation beyond just Election Day."
National Council for Black Students
"NCBS exists to promote academic excellence and social responsibility in the discipline of Africana/Black Studies through the production and dissemination of knowledge, professional development and training, and advocacy for social change and social justice."