Ways to Celebrate Black History Month

Watch Informative Documentaries

Notable Documentaries

1. "The Black West": This documentary sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of African Americans in the American West.
2. "Abubakari: The Explorer King of Mali": Learn about the legendary African king who is believed to have explored the Americas before Columbus.

These documentaries have received accolades such as the Gold Apple from the National Educational Media Association and the Telly Award. For more information, visit Black History.

Educational Resources and Activities

Celebrate Diversity

• Life Savers and Multicultural Aids: Enhance your celebration with educational posters, t-shirts, and videos. Check out Guidance Channel for more resources.

Multigenerational Celebrations

• Songs and Books: Engage with your family through songs and books that celebrate Black history. For a list of recommended materials, visit Euronet.

Interactive Quizzes

• Black Past Quiz: Test your knowledge of Black history with this interactive quiz available at Family Education.

Explore Historical Contributions

Library of Congress Resources

• The African-American Mosaic: This resource guide includes ex-slave narratives and other historical documents. Explore it at the Library of Congress.

Black Inventors

• Inventions by African Americans: Discover the inventions made by Black individuals, such as:
  • Alfred Benjamin: Stainless steel pads
  • John A. Burr: Lawn mower
  • George Carruthers: Image converter radiation detector
  • L.F. Brown: Horse bridle bit
  • Sarah Boone: Ironing board

For a comprehensive list, visit Everything Preschool.

Cultural and Artistic Contributions

Harlem Renaissance

• Harlem Renaissance Page: Learn about the cultural movement that celebrated African American culture in the 1920s. Visit Jeanne Pasero's Harlem Renaissance Page.

Visual Arts

• African Americans in the Visual Arts: Explore the contributions of African American artists at Long Island University.

Music and Culture

• Archives of African American Music and Culture: This resource provides a selected list of internet resources for African American music. Visit Indiana University for more information.

Profiles of Prominent African Americans

Notable Figures

• Marian Anderson: Contralto singer
• Jackie Robinson: Baseball pioneer
• Wilma Rudolph: Olympic sprinter
• Sidney Poitier: Oscar-winning actor
• Maya Angelou: Poet
• George Washington Carver: Inventor

For detailed profiles, visit Who2.

Interesting Statistics

• Economic Impact: African American consumers have a buying power of $1.4 trillion as of 2020, making them a significant economic force (Nielsen).
• Educational Attainment: The percentage of African Americans aged 25 and older with a high school diploma or higher increased from 66% in 1980 to 87% in 2019 (U.S. Census Bureau).

By engaging with these resources and activities, you can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Black history and culture. Celebrate Black History Month by educating yourself and others about the significant contributions of African Americans throughout history.