Image, Shutterstock
According to Wikipedia:
The following are highlights from an article by Terri E. Givens, CEO and Founder of Brighter Higher Ed, as it appeared on Salesforce.org. The highlights show how you can show your support and celebrate Black History, especially during a pandemic:
February is Black History Month, in which we honor the incredible and amazing contributions the Black community have made throughout U.S. history — from civil rights leaders to artists, politicians to inventors. There are plenty of ways that everyone can commemorate the month and celebrate Black heroes from the comfort of home. From supporting Black-owned businesses to donating to charities supporting anti-racism efforts and watching educational documentaries, here are seven ways you can celebrate Black history — not just this month, but all year round.
Support Black-Owned Businesses:
Many Black-owned businesses still face structural racism, which poses a unique threat to their longevity and ability to serve their communities’ needs. Many Black business owners had to close their doors at the beginning of the pandemic. Becoming a customer — specifically during February when these companies have a lot more visibility — is a great way to celebrate. Don’t know where to start? Search online for Black-owned businesses in a range of categories, from fashion, art, beauty, home decor, and more. Find other companies by searching the #blackowned hashtag online.
Learn About Noteworthy Black Figures and Their Contributions:
Typically, Black History Month draws associations with well-known figures like Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. and activist Rosa Parks, but there are many others to learn about. For example, Ida B. Wells, Shirley Chisolm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, Fannie Lou Hamer, a Black activist from Mississippi who launched Freedom Farm Cooperative (FFC), an initiative to purchase land that Black people could collectively own and farm. You can visit BlackPast.org for an extensive list of other notable Black figures.
Donate to Charities That Support Anti-Racism Equity and Equality:
Given the ongoing public protests against police brutality, charities and organizations that support anti-racism equity and equality need donors to continue their collective work to seek justice for the Black community. Consider donating to the Black Youth Project, Loveland Therapy Fund, Amistad Law Project, as well as grassroots organizations that oftentimes don’t receive widespread publicity.
Purchase, Read, and Share Books by Black Authors:
Add Black authors to your reading list. Edward E. Baptist’s “The Half Has Never Been Told” takes an in-depth look at slavery’s role in the “evolution and modernization of the United States.” Host of Hub City Now and author Tyrone Tony Reed Jr. has a novel series entitled “S.O.L.A.D.™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™, which features Black teenagers who are gifted with superpowers to save a world overrun by demons. You can check out the series at www.tyronetonyreedjr.com.
Support and Learn About Black Women:
With all the talk about President Biden’s promise to nominate a black woman for the Supreme Court, now is a very important time to have Black women at the table as major policies are being developed and discussed. Today, we see Black women in America taking their place at the highest levels of government. As Amanda Gorman said in her magnificent poem on inauguration day:
We the successors of a country and a time
Where a skinny Black girl
descended from slaves and raised by a single mother
can dream of becoming president
only to find herself reciting for one
Listen to or Read “The 1619 Project” by the New York Times:
“The 1619 Project” is a long-form historical recounting of the role slavery played in the transformation of America. The project references the year 1619, in which the first ship carrying enslaved Africans reached the shores of the colony of Virginia. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and project creator Nikole Hannah Jones hosts a podcast that dissects the link between slavery and American economics, the co-opting of Black musicians’ work, and the obstacles Black people faced with receiving healthcare and land ownership rights.
Participate in Live and Virtual Events and celebrations:
Every Wednesday during the month of February from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., all guests of the National Museum of African American Music will enjoy complimentary entry to the museum courtesy of Nissan. No tickets necessary. nmaam.org. Search online for more live and virtual events. Stax Museum Of American Soul Music and Stax Music Academy will be presenting Black History Month 2022 – Free Virtual Tour & Concert. More information can be found at www.staxmuseum.com. If you don’t know where to start looking for virtual events, check your city or state government websites for local listings for Black History month events such as online poetry-thons, scavenger hunts, art exhibits, performances and more.
