February is Black History Month, and a perfect opportunity to spotlight black excellence – great inventors, leaders, social reformers, entertainers, and freedom fighters. Often, we view this last group through the lens of social activism – people who sought equality under the law. But African Americans have been safeguarding physical freedom as long as this… Read more »
Tag: african american history
Celebrating African-American Music Month
June is African-American Music Month, intended to celebrate the important contributions of African-American entertainers in the music industry. Most American popular music is rooted in Black music traditions dating to the founding of the country, a fact not always acknowledged in society, and these traditions range from instrumentation to musical style to vocalization. This blog… Read more »
Spotlight on local Black history
With its history as a hub for the automotive, recording and agricultural industries, Richmond can boast a rich tradition of Black historical movers and shakers. Since Black History Month takes place every February, this month is an excellent time to become better acquainted with Black contributions to local businesses, culture and history. The IU East… Read more »
Connecting with Black History
Black History Month is a focused opportunity to be intentional about connecting with the African American experience and learning about the contributions of Black Americans throughout the centuries. The IU East Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is hosting a Trivia and Treats Contest celebrating Black History Month on February 28, starting at noon, in… Read more »
Black Archives and Special Collections
Celebrate Black History Month by remembering and reflecting on the many people and groups who participated in the fight for civil rights. These Black Archives and Special Collections offer a range of materials from primary source documents to newspaper archives and podcasts. The New York Public Radio Archives & Preservation celebrates Black History Month by… Read more »
Black History at Home
When we contemplate Black History Month, the names of historic giants come to mind – inventors and businesspeople, ministers and activists, musicians and politicians – the kind of people who redirect the flow of history and inspire millions. The people that have the most influence, though, are often the nearest – local people who tirelessly… Read more »
Black Contemporary Science Fiction
In the wake of Octavia Butler’s groundbreaking work in the 1970s, including the Patternfinder series and Kindred, Black science fiction has taken on social justice, culture and history to create one of the freshest and most exciting art forms in contemporary literature. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the biggest names in the field,… Read more »
African Heritage and Health Week features food traditions
As Black History Month begins, African Heritage & Health Week focuses on food traditions from Africa which have enriched the world. Championed by the nonprofit group Oldways, which educates on heritage-based diets from many world cultures, traditional African dishes and ingredients are highlighted, such as the use of millet, peanut stews, yucca root, and leafy… Read more »
Celebrating Pride and African American Music Appreciation Month
June celebrations are myriad and interesting, with lots of opportunities for discovery and learning. This month, we celebrate both African American Music Appreciation Month and LGBTQ Pride Month. African American LGBTQ musicians have contributed some of the most recognizable songs in American history, as well as serving as examples of successful artists who in many… Read more »
Writers, musicians, scientists: accomplishments of Black women throughout history
In the arts, sciences, humanities and popular culture, Black women have helped to shape our society in ways large and small. You can research them in databases like African-American History Online, Black Women Writers, or Black Thought and Culture. In this blog, we highlight three of these extraordinary women and their tremendous contributions to American… Read more »