While we honor Black History Month each February in the United States, we can extend our focus throughout the year with ongoing exposure to the richness of Black American cultures and accomplishments. What can we learn about Black American history as it applies to life in 2023? Black American history is very much about the powerful quest for equality, inclusion, justice and recognition as one of the most compelling human stories in the world.
Black American history contains multitudes of narratives about the struggles and achievements of a diverse group of people from all over the African diaspora. This history uniquely captures how US American society has evolved over centuries to integrate its immense human diversity without losing the essence of Black cultures across the country and beyond. There is no one story, but many to absorb and reflect on as we strive to uphold a shared value for inclusion and diversity. Not sure how to honor Black History Month? Here are some ideas:
- Click here for a list of PBS programs to watch in celebration of Black History Month.
- Support Black-owned businesses by finding and buying from a Black-owned bookstore with this list.
- Celebrate over a meal by finding a Black-owned eatery with EatOkra, which is a website that connects "foodies to Black restaurants and culinary events while amplifying the dining experience for and by Black communities."
- Learn about forms of racial and ethnic bias that may be misleading you and colleagues from making sound decisions by clicking here.
Additionally, our February 9 webinar, “Understanding Microaggressions in the Workplace,” will speak to how some concepts, like the Pause-Reflect Model, help individuals overcome their own biases when working with others.
Tell us how you plan to celebrate and learn about Black American history this month, and how ongoing learning can shape and inform your view of the world, your community, your workplace and beyond.
