Black History Month is coming to an end. Contrary to jokes, February wasn’t chosen because it is the shortest month . Since Black History is American history and world history, here are ways to sustain it beyond February.
Steps for Sustaining for Families, Students, and Commmunities
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- Use time during the to plan key activities and learning agendas for the year. Here is a sample template to help get you started!
- 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
- Learn your history and how it connects to Black History Month
- When you are on a trip or vacation identify Black history you can learn
- READ!
Use Natural Curiosities
What are your kids’ or students curiosities? In this AI and Google age, there is learning to be done. You can even use Student Surveys to learn what types of things your students want to continue learning about?
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- Black Soccer Heroes
- Black Inventors
- Black Dancers
- Black Business Leaders
- Black Environmentalists
- Black Artists
The beautiful thing is that 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!
