{"id":22734,"date":"2023-02-07T09:02:57","date_gmt":"2023-02-06T22:02:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorecareers.com\/?p=22734"},"modified":"2023-02-07T09:02:57","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T22:02:57","slug":"black-history-month-2023-why-we-celebrate-where-to-get-involved","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explorecareers.com\/black-history-month-2023-why-we-celebrate-where-to-get-involved\/","title":{"rendered":"Black History Month 2023: Why We Celebrate & Where to Get Involved"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

As many of you know, February is officially Black History Month across the U.S.<\/p>\n

The month acknowledges and celebrates the achievements of African Americans throughout our history.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also an opportunity to have honest conversations about how African Americans are supported and celebrated throughout our communities.<\/p>\n

There are many ways to get involved, increase your awareness of the contributions of some incredible people, and educate yourself about Black history across our country.<\/p>\n

Keep reading to find out more.<\/p>\n

How Did Black History Month Start?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

As a response to the lack of information publicly available on Black people and their achievements, historian Carter G. Woodson co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t until 1926 that the group decided to officially recognize and honor the contributions of African Americans throughout U.S. history with \u2018Negro History Week\u2019. Celebrated in the second week of February, the week started a movement where Black history began to be formally studied and included in educational textbooks.<\/p>\n

Fifty years later, in 1976, the week was officially extended to become \u2018Black History Month\u2019 by president Gerald Ford to \u201chonor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

Black History Month has been celebrated every February since.<\/p>\n

Why Do We Celebrate Black History Month?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

In recent years, when celebrating Black History Month has become a vital part of our school and workplace education, it might be hard to believe there was a time when the accomplishments of African Americans weren\u2019t documented, acknowledged, or recognized.<\/p>\n

Black History Month was created to correct this lack of educational resources and provide opportunities for educators working with all age groups to grow their knowledge, understanding, and recognition of Black people from all periods of U.S. history.<\/p>\n

From enslaved people brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to contemporary African Americans alive today, the month is a chance to address gaps in our awareness and turn our attention to other ways to celebrate and support Black communities.<\/p>\n

Many notable figures are acknowledged throughout this month, including<\/p>\n