Shani Dowell, Possip CEO & Founder, shares ways to sustain Black History Month beyond February.

Black History Month is coming to an end. Contrary to jokes, February wasn’t chosen because of its shortness. 

Still, since Black History is American history and world history, we want to sustain learning about it beyond the month of February.

Below we share some steps for sustaining the month.

1. 1. Use time during Black History Month to plan key activities and learning agendas for the year.  Here is a sample template to help get you started!
   2. Identify current Black history makers in your community: schools, educators, nonprofit leaders and learn how you can Support and engage with them throughout the year
   3. Learn your history and how it connects to Black History Month
   4. When you are on a trip or vacation identify Black history you can learn
   5. READ! 

What are you or your children’s natural curiosities?

Whatever they are, in this Google age there is learning to be done.

• • BLACK SOCCER HEROES
  • BLACK INVENTORS
  • BLACK DANCERS
  • TRANSFORMATIONAL BLACK WORLD LEADERS
  • BLACK PIANISTS

The beautiful thing is the more specific and niche the area of interest, the more illuminating the research and information can be.

And one of the benefits of exposure to new information or insights is it makes you more curious for all you don’t know!  It’s a bit like visiting a new country – it unlocks for you all this richness and dimension to the world that makes you see your own country in new and dynamic ways.

Learning your history 

As humans, we naturally care more about our own histories. Consider exploring your own history and how it connects to Black history.  This could be as straightforward about knowing the history of a town you grew up in – or about the history of the high school or college you attended to learn its history.

Learn or consider what your family may have been doing during key eras of Black progress. The reality is most people’s relatives were watching the Civil Rights movement and fights from the comforts of their home. But find out what conversation were being had, what was being learned and discussed, etc.

In short, sustaining Black history is a mindset.  Families and schools that are intentional about integrating Black history and present all year long do it in 100 ways – big and small.  These are just a few ideas to start – but you tell us!  What are some creative ways you want to sustain Black history?  Email us.  We’d love to hear!