Hello
The WCPS Office of Equity & Excellence is thrilled to continue recognizing cultural heritage of the United States as we commemorate Black History Month. This annual celebration serves as a important reminder of the rich tapestry of African American heritage woven into the fabric of our nation's history. As we delve into the significance of Black History Month, it's natural to ponder its relevance in today's world. Since its inception in 1926, this observance has evolved into a powerful platform for reflection, education, and advocacy. While strides have been made over the decades, the African American community continues to confront significant challenges.
Acknowledging these challenges is vital to our collective quest for inclusivity. Black History Month serves as a beacon of hope, shining a spotlight on the ongoing struggle for equality. It fosters dialogue, understanding, and unity among diverse cultural groups, propelling us towards a more equitable society.
This year, as we deepen our awareness, we are dedicated to expanding our understanding of various cultures and their impact on our nation, community, and students. As educators, it is our responsibility to nurture students' ability to embrace multiple perspectives. To achieve this, we must embark on our own "Equity Journey," fostering a deeper understanding of perspectives different from our own.
To support you on this journey, we've curated a collection of resources designed to enhance your personal growth and enrich your students' learning experiences. These resources serve as invaluable tools for strengthening relationships, cultivating empathy, encouraging dialogue, and fostering a sense of belonging within our schools and beyond.
Identity
African American identity is a complex and nuanced thing, and not all African Americans will express their identity in the same way. The identity of individuals in the Black community is expressed in every facet of their life. Ways in which they dress, talk, walk, wear their hair and interact with others are often reflections of their culture.
Black identity may also be informed by a number of key themes and characteristics. A strong sense of community is central to Black culture, with many people feeling a deep sense of connection to their families, neighborhoods, and larger Black communities. Black people often demonstrate resilience and perseverance and value strength, self-reliance and creativity. Black people today and throughout history, have a sense of pride in their heritage, culture, and contributions to society. This pride is expressed through various means that include art, music, literature, fashion, food and other cultural expressions. Finally, as a result of the lived experiences of members of the Black community, justice and equality are often reflected in the values, beliefs, and actions of African Americans.
As stated earlier, Black culture is incredibly diverse, with different groups of people having their own distinct customs, traditions, and beliefs. While there are some commonalities across different Black cultures, people should not make assumptions about what all Black people believe or experience. The rule of thumb when engaging with others of different cultural identities is, ask if you don't know.
As you work to build your understanding of the the cultural identity of another, be aware of themes mentioned above and how they may manifest in your classroom communities and how you might leverage them to positively impact student achievement.
According to the 2020 US Census data, 41.1 million people, or 12.4% identify as Black or African American. This is compared to 38.9 million in 2019 which is a 5.6% increase. Those that identify as Black or African American in combination with another race or ethnicity, increased by 88.7%. According to the Pew Research Center, though, in 2021 "the number of Black people living in the United States reached a new high of 47.2 million."
Purpose
Americans have celebrated and recognized black history since 1926. Dr. Carter G. Woodson initiated the practice as a week long celebration in 1926, which was extended to a month-long observance in 1976. Dr. Woodson created the initiative to bring national attention to the contributions of black people throughout American history.
Black History Month provides an opportunity to learn more about this history and to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and contributions of African Americans.
This month is a time to commemorate the past and to reflect on current realities as well as promote a sense of pride and identity among African Americans by highlighting the contributions and achievements of their ancestors and contemporary figures.
In this newsletter you can expect to see:
- A brief explanation of Black History Month
- A section on African-Americans and others of African descent you should know
- A section on African-American contributions to American culture
- A section on cultural norms within the African American community
- A section on challenges faced by the Black and African American community
- A section with suggestions for books, movies, and music that highlight the diverse cultural experiences of African- Americans and build your awareness.
- A section on current events
- A section with resources for teachers
Celebrate Black History Month
For 2024, the Black History Month theme is "African Americans and the Arts," according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (Carter G. Woodson's organization), which highlights the Black American influence in the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, film, music, and other forms of cultural expression.
History
400+ years ago the first Africans arrived in the British colonies, later Virginia, against their will. Since then, key events, movements, and people have impacted United States history and fought to give a voice to the unheard. The timeline linked below highlights only some key events, movements and people so we encourage you to do your own exploration to expand your awareness in addition to the information provided by the timeline.
WCPS Celebrates Black History Month 2024
Notable Black and African Americans
African-Americans have been contributing to the advancement of our country for centuries. Names like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks and Malcolm X are well known and are frequently subjects of discussion in classrooms around the country. They aren't, though, the only African-Americans changing and shaping the world. Consider the contributions of others shared below and think about how they might be incorporated into the work you do.
People above from left to right:
- Tarika Barrett- CEO, Girls Who Code
- Joan Higginbotham- Retired NASA Astronaut, Rocket Scientist, Electrical Engineer, & Third African American Woman in Space
- Jonathan Michael Batiste- singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, composer, and television personality
- Dr. Guion “Guy” S. Bluford Jr.- Astronaut, Colonel, USAF, Ret.
- Justina Miles- American Sign Language performer
- Jordan Fisher- Actor, singer, and dancer.
- Rosalind Brewer- CEO, Walgreens
- Chris Scott- Chef
Check out more notable African-Americans and their important contributions to society and history!
Tomorrow's leaders are in our classrooms today!
Challenges faced by the Black and African American community
Despite progress over the years, African Americans continue to face a range of challenges that impact various aspects of their lives. Disparities persist in various institutions, including education, criminal justice, housing, and employment. African Americans often encounter barriers and discrimination that limit their opportunities for advancement and success.
Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive efforts at the systemic, institutional, and individual levels. It's essential to stay informed about current events and ongoing societal changes to understand the evolving challenges faced by African Americans and other marginalized communities. Continue reading to explore more deeply the present challenges confronting the African American community.
Challenges
- Education
- Employment and earnings
- Health Care
- Criminal justice system
- Housing/Climate issues
- Voting Rights and representation
Additional information 👇🏾
Resources to Build Awareness
Expand your cultural awareness by watching films or reading books that are written by African-American authors or that feature African-American actors/characters and stories. Listen to African-American influenced music.
Experience Black Culture
A quick internet search offered this list of nearby places to find African American culture and/or food. (not exhaustive list or an endorsement of any establishment).
- The Dog House
- Tribe Cold Press Juice Bar
- JP Mino Coffee
- Urban Delightz
- Mister Organic Cafe
- KeKe&Co Desserts
- Antiox Integrated Wellness
- DejaVu Candy
- Sibara Catering and Global Cafe
- Turtle's Subs
- South in ur mouth catering & baked goods
- NeverBoard Games
- Les Cookies Delight Bakery
Music and dance are central to the African American experience
Explore the many facets of African American music
Take a historic look at African-American musicians.
Some current R & B
Something to get you moving!
Teacher Resources to generate ideas
Below you will find links for popular African-American children's literature. Some titles will be very familiar. If you are thinking of expanding your classroom library, be sure to preview the text in its entirety to ensure topics and themes are appropriate for your readers.
Above are resources that may get your creative juices flowing. We hope that you find something of interest. Look for additional resources this year that celebrate cultures across our school system and the nation. Please share the ways your school is celebrating Black History Month so we can share with others!
Wishing you a transformative Black History Month filled with enlightenment, empowerment, and meaningful conversations.
Allison Smith, Supervisor of Equity & Excellence
Credits
https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/08/improved-race-ethnicity-measures-reveal-united-states-population-much-more-multiracial.html
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/02/10/key-facts-about-black-americans/#:~:text=The%20number%20of%20Black%20people,of%20two%20or%20more%20races.
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/03/25/key-findings-about-black-america/
https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/initiatives/black-history-month-2024
https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/
https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/African-American-history-timeline/625406
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2020/11/19/the-challenges-facing-black-men-and-the-case-for-action/