February is Black History Month. In today’s Autumn Creek Apartment Blog post, we have a little background about this holiday as well as a list of books to read in celebration of this month, plus activities in the area to participate in and learn more about black history. Enjoy your month here in East Amherst.
The Origin of Black History Month:
“Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.”
Books to Read in Appreciation of Black History Month:
28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World by Charles R. Smith Jr., Shane W. Evans (2015)
“Each day features a different influential figure in African-American history, from Crispus Attucks, the first man shot in the Boston Massacre, sparking the Revolutionary War, to Madame C. J. Walker, who after years of adversity became the wealthiest black woman in the country, as well as one of the wealthiest black Americans, to Barack Obama, the country's first African-American president.”
Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine (2007)
“A stirring, dramatic story of a slave who mails himself to freedom by a Jane Addams Peace Award-winning author and a Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist.”
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles (2004)
“This is the true story of an extraordinary 6-year-old who helped shape history when she became the first African-American sent to first grade in an all white school. This moving book captures the courage of a little girl standing alone in the face of racism.”
The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson (2001)
“Clover's mom says it isn't safe to cross the fence that segregates their African-American side of town from the white side where Anna lives. But the two girls strike up a friendship, and get around the grown-ups' rules by sitting on top of the fence together.”
We hope you have a chance to learn something new this month! Check out these events in the WNY area that will be focused on Black History Month. Thanks for reading today’s blog post.
