2024 Black History Month Resources For Continued Learning

February is Black History Month, and as a team, Credo has been sharing some of our favorite resources that we utilize personally and professionally for Black History Month. The theme for 2024 is "African Americans and the Arts." From conversations and books to podcasts and block parties, we found so many opportunities to learn more about and recognize the achievements of African Americans.

Here are a few of our favorite shared resources. What would you add?

Exploring The 2024 Theme: African Americans and the Arts

African American art is infused with African, Caribbean, and the
Black American lived experiences. In the fields of visual and
performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music,
architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression, the
African American influence has been paramount. African
American artists have used art to preserve history and community
memory as well as for empowerment.

More about this year's Black History month theme from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History ->

Curating Intentional Family Reading

The Hennepin County Library in Minnesota has curated a robust reading list of children's literature for families to read together. Focused on art and works chronicling artistic and cultural movements in Black History, you can explore the wide array of artistic achievements by African American authors, musicians, educators, artists, and storytellers. Access, share, and dialogue about works of Afro-futurism, fashion, folklore, languages, visual arts, architecture, music, and more. This list is definitely worth "checking out" for the whole family.

Access the curated list for 2024 Black History Month from Hennepin County Library -> 

Why Have Black History Month? 

Learn about Carter G. Woodson: The Man Behind Black History Month. Woodson dedicated his life to educating African Americans about the achievements and contributions of their ancestors. Learn about his personal journey and how he popularized Black History Week, leading to creating Black History Month following his death. His legacy lives on in our celebrations.

More about Carter G. Woodson: The Man Behind Black History Month -> 

Take Time to Boost Your Mind, Body & Spirit

Virtually join the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum for Take Time Thursdays: HBCU Love, Thursday, February 1, 2024, 2:30 – 3:15 PM EST. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) have a rich history and hold pride for many alumni, an experience they will always treasure and never forget. Author, Tiffany Heard, will discuss her adult coloring book, The Hues of HBCUs, featuring many of our HBCUs and a look into some of the Divine Nine, homecomings, and the yard.

Take Time Thursdays: HBCU Love -> 

Join the Block Party with PBS

Choose from several new and beloved programs celebrating Black Excellence offered by PBS throughout Black History Month. Check out their Block Party line up with several streaming options that continue well beyond February for continued learning and engagement.

Join The PBS BlockParty here ->

Deconstructing Centuries-Old Hierarchies & Creating Hope for Our Common Humanity

Read or listen to Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Pulitzer Prize Winner Isabel Wilkerson. The book is also available in print and audio format at many public libraries and there are a number of podcasts where Wilkerson has been an invited guest. If you’re around the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC area, we invite you to join Credo team members for a lecture by Isabel Wilkerson through the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University on February 22 at 5 p.m. It is open to the public and free up to four tickets.

Learn more and get your tickets -> 

Celebrating Black Achievement In February and All Year

Each day we have opportunities to learn more about and recognize the accomplishments of African Americans throughout history—and today—and acknowledge the ongoing fight for equality and civil rights.

How is your campus celebrating and learning this month? What would you add to the list? If you would like to start a conversation or provide your favorite resources, contact Credo.