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HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONSAWARENESS RAISING EVENTS

How to Celebrate Black History Month

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1Support Black-owned businesses.

2Donate to charities who aid Black causes.

3Participate in local Black movements.

+Show 9 more...

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Questions & Answers

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References

Article Summary

Co-authored by Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: February 12, 2022 References

February is Black History Month, a special time to acknowledge, observe, and honor the triumphs and
struggles of African Americans. While celebrating the Black community is something you can do every
month, now is the perfect time to learn even more about Black history. Then, you can propel yourself
towards sparking change each and every day! Not sure where to start? Here’s a list of the best ways you
can celebrate Black voices and history, today, tomorrow, and year-round.

Method

Support Black-owned businesses.Download Article

Image titled Celebrate Black History Month Step 14

Give back to the Black community as a way to celebrate. See if there are any Black-owned businesses
near you, or check if your favorite retailers highlight Black businesses. A quick Google search of “Black-
owned business selling __” can help you find a product you're looking for. Supporting Black-owned
businesses also helps to:[1]

Close the racial wealth gap

Strengthen local economies

Foster job creation for African Americans

Method

Donate to charities who aid Black causes.Download Article

Image titled Celebrate Black History Month Step 13

Show your support by giving to equity and equality advocacy groups. A simple $5 donation can go a long
way. Find a cause that’s close to your heart and let the charity do the rest. You can also post where
you’ve donated on social media to encourage friends and family to do the same. Not sure where to
donate? Here are a few charities and causes to look into:[2]

History and Culture: Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, National Civil Rights Museum, and Facing History and
Ourselves

Health: Black AIDS Institute and National Health Law Program

Civil Rights: Equal Justice Initiative, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and Center for
Constitutional Rights
Education: Harlem Academy, Sphinx Organization, and Rainier Scholars

Method

Participate in local Black movements.Download Article

Image titled Celebrate Black History Month Step 18

Honor Black history by letting your voice be heard. As Dr. Martin Luther King showed us, one voice can
make a big difference in the way the world works. Ask around to see if any organizations are gathering
somewhere near you. These could be walks, protests, or even community gatherings. Put yourself out
there to spread awareness and advocate for a better tomorrow.[3]

See if Black Lives Matters (BLM) or The Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) have a hub near you by going
to their websites.

If no events are happening near you, organize your own. Contact your local library to host a Black History
Month book club, or start a walking fundraiser for a Black charity or business.

Method

Read books written by Black authors.Download Article

Image titled Celebrate Black History Month Step 1

Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Octavia Butler are phenomenal writers. Reading books by Black
authors is not only fun but educational. Black writers highlight the adversity their community endures
through the voices of their characters. Keep a list of Black authors in the back of your mind the next time
you go to the bookstore or library[4]

Some more Black writers who changed literary history include W.E.B. Du Bois, Alex Haley, Langston
Hughes, and Toni Morrison.

Add some of these modern Black authors to your bookshelf: Colson Whitehead, Saeed Jones, Kiley Reid,
and Angie Thomas.

Method

Put on a podcast featuring Black voices.Download Article

Image titled Support the Black Lives Matter Movement Step 13

Open your mind and heart by hearing Black stories from Black people. There’s no one better to tell the
history and fight of the Black community than its members. Amplify and support Black voices regularly
by tuning into a podcast that explores African American history and culture. Check out some of these
shows that’ll have you thinking and laughing:[5]

The Midnight Miracle

Jemele Hill Is Unbothered

Okay, Now Listen

I Am Athlete

The Right Time with Bomani Jones

Method

Spread the word about Black history with social media.Download Article

Image titled Ask Your Crush Out on Instagram Step 9

A simple share can honor Black history and promote change. Take Black History Month as an opportunity
to surround yourself with more Black voices. Follow Black influencers and social media accounts
advocating for equality. Like their posts and share them on your page. This is an effortless way to show
your support, educate others, and advocate.

Your voice is loud no matter how many followers you have!

Keep reposting, liking, and following Black voices after Black History Month. Advocacy doesn’t end when
March begins, so be an ally all year round.

If you can’t make donations, share a donation link on your page. Who knows? You may just start a
domino effect, and your simple share can turn into hundreds of dollars.

Method

Learn about all Black figures.Download Article

Image titled Support the Black Lives Matter Movement Step 14

This month, honor Black voices that aren’t often talked about. Take time to research notable Black
figures who influenced your favorite hobby, contributed to a movement, or are from your hometown. To
start, search “notable Black figures” along with your country, state, or a job title. See if any unknown
names pop up in your search. Check out the incredible ways these Black people contributed to history:
[6]

Hannibal Caesar Carter: The second African American to serve as Mississippi’s Secretary of State.

Elizabeth Duncan Koontz: The first African American president of the National Education Association.

Charity Earley: The first African American woman officer of the Women’s Auxiliary Corps.

Jame Alexander Hood: The first African American male student of the University of Alabama in
Tuscaloosa.

Method

Visit online Black history exhibits.Download Article

Image titled Support the Black Lives Matter Movement Step 1

Surround yourself with Black culture in the comfort of home. Nowadays, there are hundreds of virtual
museum experiences to take part in. This is a great way to get the whole family involved and excited
about Black history and culture. All you have to do is google “Black history online exhibits” or visit the
National Archives website.[7] Here are some exhibits to get your started:

Make Good the Promises: Reconstruction and Its Legacies showing virtually at the Smithsonian National
Museum of African American History and Culture[8]

Golden Age of Black Radio virtually in the The Archives of African American Music and Culture[9]

A virtual tour of Frederick Douglass’ Home through the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site[10]

Method

Watch a historical documentary.Download Article

Image titled Celebrate Black History Month Step 11

Set up a movie night to celebrate Black History Month. African American culture and the Black
community have shaped history as we know it. This month and every month, take the time to learn
something new about the Black community’s history and movements. Check out these Black history
documentaries on PBS:[11]

The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross

Slavery By Another Name

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

Slavery and the Making of America

Citizen King

Eyes on the Prize

If you don’t have access to PBS, check out TED Talks to hear Black voices and learn something new. All
you have to do is search “Black history ted talks.”[12]

Method

10

Attend virtual Black events and celebrations.Download Article

Image titled Support the Black Lives Matter Movement Step 15

Speeches and webinars are an easy way to celebrate Black voices. Many in-person events have gone
virtual because of the ease of reaching thousands of more people. Take advantage of this and attend as
many Black History Month events as possible. Simply search “Black history month virtual event” to see
what events you can attend.

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) holds a month-long virtual
festival to celebrate. The theme for 2022 is Black Health and Wellness.

The Smithsonian hosts online events and workshops on Black history and culture with special guests
during February. Learn about Black food, music, and organizations with these free and paid events.

Method

11

Start a conversation about race.Download Article

Image titled Celebrate Black History Month Step 19

Being a voice for change is a great way to celebrate. The most important thing you can do during and
after Black History Month is spread awareness about issues the Black community face. Change can start
with one person, and you can be that person. Talk to a friend or family member about systemic racism,
or ask a teacher questions about the Civil Rights movement. Here are some tips to help you have a
meaningful and lasting conversation:[13]

Approach the topic with respect. Being open and willing to listen to other perspectives can help form
meaningful dialogue and deepen your understanding.

Think about why you want to talk about race. Ask yourself, “Why am I engaging in this conversation?
What do I hope to learn?”
Embrace discomfort. Recognize that you don’t know everything, but don’t let the discomfort of it hold
you back from learning.

Acknowledge your privilege. Understand that everyone has different experiences, and recognize how
and why yours may be different than someone else’s.

Reflect on what you’ve learned. After having a conversation, sit with your thoughts. Has the conversation
made you rethink some of your actions or beliefs?

Method

12

Learn something new about Black history.Download Article

Image titled Celebrate Black History Month Step 3

Do some research to celebrate and understand Black History Month. Check out books on African
American culture at your local library, or Google Black movements and important historical moments. Try
searching “Black history” with your county or state to learn about the history where you live. Knowledge
is power, and knowing how Black people have struggled systemically can help you understand the
importance of commemorating Black voices and supporting the community.

Learn about past and present issues. Black history doesn’t end with slavery. Branch into all eras to truly
understand the marginalization of the Black community.

Search “Black history” along with “1700s” or “1500s.”

Watch TED Talks and educational videos on Black history and culture. All you have to do is search “Black
history month ted talks” and click on a topic that interests you.

Community Q&A

Question

what are some other people besides martin luther king,rosa parks,fredrick douglass,harriet
tubman,jackie robinson?

wikiHow Staff Editor

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Jesse Owens, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Marsha P. Johnson are other Black figures who made a mark on
history. Try searching "notable Black figures" to learn about even more incredible people!

Not Helpful 0Helpful 5

Question

How do I write a poem about Black History Month?

Community Answer

Community Answer

Try researching important people and events from African-American history. Then express your feelings
in a poem. It doesn't even have to rhyme, either!

Not Helpful 6Helpful 7

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References

↑https://www.greenamerica.org/blog/6-reasons-support-black-owned-businesses

↑https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=4710

↑https://www.yesmagazine.org/democracy/2018/02/08/6-tips-for-white-people-who-want-to-celebrate-
black-history

↑https://www.pbs.org/articles/10-black-authors-to-read#.WoN46Inwa9Y

↑https://www.mic.com/culture/the-9-best-black-podcasts-that-will-get-you-laughing-thinking-thriving-
82831637

↑https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/people-african-american-history/

↑https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/african-american-history

↑https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/exhibitions

↑https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/archives-of-african-american-music-and-culture?hl=en

More References (4)

About This Article

Aly Rusciano

Co-authored by:

Aly Rusciano

wikiHow Staff Writer

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Aly Rusciano is a Creative Writer
based outside of Nashville, Tennessee. She has over ten years of experience in creative, academic, and
professional writing. Aly’s writing has been nationally recognized in the Sigma Tau Delta Rectangle and
featured in Blue Marble Review, The Sunshine Review, PopMatters, and Cathartic Literary Magazine. She
graduated from The University of Tennessee at Martin with a BA in English, focusing in Creative Writing
and and minoring in Theatre. This article has been viewed 25,152 times.

19 votes - 61%

Co-authors: 27

Updated: February 12, 2022

Views: 25,152

Categories: Awareness Raising Events

Print Send fan mail to authors

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 25,152 times.

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Aly Rusciano

Co-authored by:

Aly Rusciano

wikiHow Staff Writer

19 votes - 61%

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Co-authors: 27

Updated: February 12, 2022

Views: 25,152

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