Belonging Resource: Black History Month

These resources provide insight into the important role that black history plays in the telling of the story of America. As always, many of these observances provide key opportunities for us to build lasting and meaningful connections, which as we know, is critical for us to foster inclusive environments where everyone belongs.

1. “About Black History Month”: This site, curated by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (the nonprofit responsible for creating and celebrating Black History Month), shares the history behind observing Black History Month, along with information about how you might commemorate the month on your own.
2. “Historical Foundations of Race”: This collection was curated by the National Museum for African American History and Culture and discusses how notions of race have persisted throughout our history. It contextualizes how embedded Black history is in the story of America.
3. “Historically Speaking – Black Joy”: This talk features author Tracey Lewis-Giggets, professor and author of Black Joy: A Strategy for Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration. Black Joy connects how stories of struggle and resilience can serve as inspiration for hope and action.

The above highlights Black history’s integral role in America’s story and remind us of our responsibility to foster an inclusive campus environment. We invite you to consider:

1. How do we currently observe Black History Month on campus? Or more broadly, how do our campus traditions, symbols, and spaces reflect black history and experiences?
2. How do you hold space for joy while honoring difficult times in our history?
3. What is one thing that you can explore to learn more about black history?

Taking the time to reflect can help us create meaningful dialogue about our shared history while building a more inclusive community. As we commemorate Black History Month, let us embrace both the responsibility to acknowledge our complete history and the opportunity to celebrate resilience, achievement, and joy in the human experience.