Black History Month 2024 (2024)

Black History Month 2024 February is Black History Month in the U.S., and this year's theme is "African Americans and the Arts." We're compiling stories, music performances and podcasts related to the Black experience.

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Dillon Howl/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

Black Futures: Nailah Hunter forges her own dark fantasy on 'Lovegaze'

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February 15, 2024 • The Los Angeles-based harpist and composer talks about approaching her instrument in new ways on her debut album.

Known as The Godfather of House Music, Frankie Knuckles helped revolutionize electronic music in the '80s. The Frankie Knuckles Foundation hide caption

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The Frankie Knuckles Foundation

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Black Futures: How house music took center stage in the '80s

WXPN

February 13, 2024 • For Black History Month, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison walks us through the synth-driven boom of electronic music in the '80s.

John Morrison on World Cafe

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Nadine Chapman (left) and Rachel Perić are residents of the Rollingwood subdivision who are working together to publicize and memorialize the Rollingwood Burial Ground for Enslaved People in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Dee Dwyer for NPR hide caption

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Dee Dwyer for NPR

Their journey to unearth a cemetery for enslaved people led to communitywide interest

February 9, 2024 • Urban development has erased many Black cemeteries around the U.S., but now a movement to find and memorialize them is underway.

Martin Luther King Jr. makes his last public appearance, at the Mason Temple in Memphis, Tenn., on April 3, 1968. The following day, King was assassinated on his motel balcony. Charles Kelly/AP hide caption

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Charles Kelly/AP

5 MLK speeches you should know. Spoiler: 'I Have a Dream' isn't on the list

February 7, 2024 • Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech is well known, but there are several other key speeches that also resonate as historical signposts of the Civil Rights Movement.

Stanley Wade (from left), Harold Wade, Earl Young, Robert Upchurch and Jimmy Ellis of the disco band The Trammps pose for a portrait in 1977. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

World Cafe Words and Music Podcast

Black Futures: How disco set the stage for dance and electronic music

WXPN

February 6, 2024 • For Black History Month, World Cafe correspondent John Morrison dives into the rise of disco in the '70s and the genesis of dance and club culture.

John Morrison on World Cafe

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A lone shopper heads into a Target store on Jan. 11 in Lakewood, Colo. David Zalubowski/AP hide caption

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David Zalubowski/AP

Target pulls Black History Month book that misidentified 3 civil rights icons

February 2, 2024 • The magnet book mixed up W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington and Carter G. Woodson. Target said it will no longer sell the book in stores or online and that it notified the publisher of the errors.

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Braden Lee & Christopher Behnen; Randijah Simmons; David Muessig/Courtesy of the artists

World Cafe

For Black History Month, World Cafe looks forward to 'Black Futures'

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February 1, 2024 • World Cafe turns its ear toward the future with a spotlight on up-and-coming artists blazing their own path beyond genre.

Brittni Robertson Powell, with the New Orleans-based bookstore Baldwin & Co. looks through her choice for Black History Month: I Am Ruby Bridges. Aubri Juhasz/Aubri Juhasz hide caption

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Aubri Juhasz/Aubri Juhasz

6 books to help young readers learn about Black history

February 1, 2024 • Five authors, librarians and book shop owners suggest turning to literature to help teach kids about Black history, culture and themes for this Black History Month.

Perspective

Throughline

James Baldwin's Shadow (Throwback)

February 1, 2024 • James Baldwin believed that America has been lying to itself since its founding. An insightful commentator on Black identity, American democracy, and racism, he saw something deep and ugly and stubborn in American culture, and never hesitated to call it by its name — to bear witness, regardless of what it cost him. As the United States continues to reckon with all aspects of its history, writer and professor Eddie S. Glaude Jr. guides us through the meaning and purpose of James Baldwin's work, and how his words can help us navigate our current moment.

James Baldwin's Shadow (Throwback)

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Don Scott, speaker the Virginia House of Delegates, has had a meteoric rise in the Statehouse. The Delegates unanimously voted him in as speaker on Wednesday. Shaban Athuman/VPM hide caption

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Shaban Athuman/VPM

Don Scott becomes first Black speaker in Virginia Legislature's 400-year history

January 10, 2024 • Del. Don Scott, a rising star among Virginia Democrats with a unique personal story, was voted in as speaker of the Virginia Statehouse.

Don Scott becomes first Black speaker in Virginia Legislature's 400-year history

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AP

Black History Month 2024 has begun. Here's this year's theme and other things to know

February 1, 2023 • The annual celebration started out in 1926 as Negro History Week and expanded to Black History Month in the 1970s. This year celebrates "African Americans and the Arts."

More from Black History Month 2024

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Black History Month 2024 (2024)

FAQs

Black History Month 2024? ›

BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2024 as National Black History Month.

What is the Black History Month theme for 2024? ›

Black History Month 2024 Celebrates the Arts and Artists that Enrich Us | FEMA.gov.

What is the proclamation for Black History Month 2024? ›

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring February 2024 as Black History Month. This month, we pay homage to the rich history and contributions of Black Americans who have shaped our state and nation in countless ways through centuries of struggle and triumph.

What is the theme of the African American Read in 2024? ›

For the 18th year, the UNI African American Read-In is part of National African American Read-In activities planned nationwide during Black History Month. Planning is underway for this virtual event planned for Feb. 15, 2024, with Iowa first graders. This year's event follows the theme "African Americans and the Arts."

What is the theme of the Black History Month in 2025? ›

The theme, “African Americans and Labor,” intends to encourage broad reflections on intersections between Black people's work and their workplaces in all their iterations and key moments, themes, and events in Black history and culture across time and space and throughout the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora.

Why was February chosen as Black History Month? ›

Woodson chose February for reasons of tradition and reform. It is commonly said that Woodson selected February to encompass the birthdays of two great Americans who played a prominent role in shaping black history, namely Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, whose birthdays are the 12th and the 14th, respectively.

What is the theme for Women's history month 2024? ›

The 2024 Women's History Month theme established by The National Women's History Alliance is titled: "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion." The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our ...

What is the new name for Black History Month? ›

Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month.

Which president declared Black History Month? ›

President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

What are the colors for Black History Month? ›

The four colours that are used for Black History Month are black, red, yellow and green. Black represents resilience, red denotes blood, yellow is optimism and justice, and green symbolises rich greenery.

Does Black History Month have a theme each year? ›

Additionally, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) has actually made each February extra significant during Black History Month by choosing a different theme for every single year.

What do churches do for Black History Month? ›

Our churches can pray, preach and teach about the call and the commission of the gospel to advocate, serve and bring hope to the oppressed and marginalized. Our churches can follow the annual theme of Black history to connect with the celebration's purpose and direction each year.

What is the annual theme for Black History Month? ›

Celebrate Black History Month with Smithsonian events, resources, exhibitions, and podcasts. The 2024 theme is "African Americans and the Arts" spanning the many impacts Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more.

Why was 2013 such a significant year in the history of Black History Month? ›

THIS YEAR MARKS THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S SIGNING OF THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION, THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT PROCLAIMED THOSE ENSLAVED IN CONFEDERATE TERRITORY TO BE FREE.

What is the Black History Month Day 4? ›

In honor the birthday of civil rights icon Rosa Parks on February 4, explore the African American Civil Rights Network, which connects places in parks and communities across the country to tell a more complete story of the Civil Rights Movement.

Is there a global Black History Month? ›

No. Black History Month is an annual observance in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States. It's not a worldwide observance.

What is the Black history theme for 2024 PDF? ›

In 2024, we examine the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans. For centuries Western intellectuals denied or minimized the contributions of people of African descent to the arts as well as history, even as their artistry in many genres was mimicked and/or stolen.

How is artistic expression important to the black community in 2024? ›

Explore the arts together with young people

Black History Month 2024 honors the innovation and interconnectedness within the African American community. And it reminds us that the arts, in all forms, are a powerful vehicle for storytelling, self-expression, and positive change.

What is the theme for Black History Month 2024 UK? ›

Black History Month 2024's posts

This year's theme for Black History Month is “Reclaiming Narratives,” and marks a significant shift towards recognising and correcting the narratives of Black history and culture.

What is the theme of the colors for Black History Month? ›

The four colours that are used for Black History Month are black, red, yellow and green. Black represents resilience, red denotes blood, yellow is optimism and justice, and green symbolises rich greenery.

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