February is nationally recognized and celebrated as Black History Month. At GC, the importance of Black History Month is expressed through a series of activities put on by GC’s Cultural Center as well as other organizations.
Black History Month was officially established in 1976 by Carter G. Woodson, who was dedicated to celebrating Black people’s historic contributions. The original Black History Month
originated at Kent State University in 1969 and was celebrated from Jan 2 to Feb 28. From the Kent State campus in 1969 to the GC campus in 2024, Black History Month continues to be a sacred month about honoring the amazing Black men and women in America.
“To me Black History Month is not only about history, but about tradition,” said Kenda Williams, a senior exercise science major, and Black Student Alliance, or BSA, Vice President. “It’s a month that celebrates all the traditions that have led to who we are, inventions, change and so much more.”
GC’s Cultural Center, in partnership with other campus organizations, hosts events throughout February to get campus involved in celebrating Black History Month. This includes a series of “Amplifying Voices” lunch and learns on Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23. Other events taking place this month include a trip to the Tubman Museum, a Black Women Authors Readout, a Black History throughout the Decades Showcase, a community building circle, a Black HIV/AIDS awareness day and more!
“It is important to celebrate Black history because of the many trailblazers that paved the way for Black people today,” said Briana Lambert, a junior MIS major, the BSA President and the President of the Eta Xi chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., a Divine Nine organization, at GC.
Black History Month allows people to learn more about the impact that Black Americans have had on our history, in fact, that is why Woodson found it important to observe the month.
“One of my favorite analogies is that our ancestors went through the woods first and bared the wounds so that the newer generations can succeed,” said Lambert. “It is important to recognize everything our ancestors did to allow us to do things today like to be able to go to school and get a good education.”
History.com has a page dedicated to Black History and emphasizes the role that African Americans have played in United States history. The articles that History.com is spotlighting include a comprehensive Civil Rights Movement Timeline starting in 1948 with President Harry Truman signing Executive Order 9981, putting an end to segregation in the Armed Services, and ending in 1968 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, to provide equal housing opportunities regardless of race.
However, the Civil Rights movement continues today with the Black Lives Matter, or BLM, movement, which was established in 2013. The BLM group website focuses on ending police brutality and supports the vision of defunding the police.
Black history can be a messy topic when looking at slavery and the injustices that Black Americans still face, however, some sources are determined to focus on the positive outcomes rather than what African Americans have faced. Oprah Daily published an article highlighting 31 amazing African Americans and their accomplishments, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Marsha P. Johnson and many others.
“It’s a month to enlighten people on how far the African American race has come to gain equality around the world,” said Williams. “It’s a month that brings families together to truly understand their heritage.”
Many modern styles of music, dance, art and inventions are directly rooted in Black culture, and Black History Month gives people who enjoy that culture a chance to celebrate where it originated from. The achievements made by Black Americans who came before this generation are important to how the U.S. lives today.
“We should also remember that we are now the pavers and should ensure that we continue to pave the way for new generations,” said Lambert.
