Black History is world history. Although it is the shortest month, February is recognized in the United States as Black History Month to honor and celebrate the profound contributions Black people have made, and continue to make, to society.
Since its inception, Black History Month has been guided by an annual theme, and this year is no exception. Its founders—Dr. Carter G. Woodsen, George Cleveland Hall, William B. Hartgrove, Jesse E. Moorland, Alexander L. Jackson, and James E. Stamps—sought to uplift Black legacy, traditions, and cultural pride. The 2026 theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” highlights the contributions of Black Americans in recognition of the nation’s 250th Anniversary of Independence. At its core, Black History Month is dedicated toreclaiming history in the face of erasure, exclusion, and discrimination.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an activist, scholar, educator, and the second Black person to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University, is widely regarded as the “Father of Black History.” In 1926, he established Negro History Week to educate the public on the cultural and historical impact of Black people. Dr. Woodson intentionally chose the second week in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abe Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two great figures “symbolically” tied to Black Liberation.
A strong advocate for the scientific study of Black life and history, Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASLAH) after witnessing Illinois’s celebration of the 15th anniversary of emancipation, which centered Black progress and achievement. He collaborated with Black intellectuals, civic organizations, and the fraternity brothers of the Divine Nine Omega Psi Phi to help share the responsibility of documenting, preserving, and uplifting Black excellence.
Dr. Woodson never intended for Black History to be confined to one week. Instead, Woodson urged schools to use Negro History Week to showcase what students learned throughout the year. Although President Gerald Ford became the first president to officially recognize Black History Month in 1976, it would take another decade for the month to be federally recognized.
In keeping with the theme, it would be remiss of us not to honor the countless Black women who worked tirelessly to uplift Black history and affirm Black presence. Their work extended far beyond a single week or month, shaping recognition, resistance, and progress every single day.