Happy Black History Month

February 7, 2024

History

Black History Month originated in 1915 by historian and author Carter G. Woodson who founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now known as the association for the Study of African American Life and History. Dr. Woodson initiated the first Negro History Week in February 1926, selecting the week of February, which included the birthdays of two prominent figures in the history of Black Americans; Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially extended the week-long celebration to Black History Month in an effort to “honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

2024

The 2024 Black History Month theme is “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 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.

Learn more

How to support Black communities this month and further after:

Support Black-Owned Businesses

Food

•Pam’s Caribbean Kitchen

•Cafe Salem

•Communion

•Jerk Shack

•Plum Bistro

•Marination

•Emma’s BBQ

•Fat’s Chicken & Waffles

•Ezell’s Famous Chicken

More Black-Owned Local Food

Coffee/Pastries

•Boon Boona Coffee

•Avole Ethiopian Coffee

•Bells Pastries

•Haiti Coffee Co.

Black-Owned Stores & Businesses

Get Involved in Community Events

Feb 1 – 28 – 2024 Call to Conscience Black History Month Museum

Columbia City Theater (GA $25, Student $15)

Fri, Feb 2 – Movie: To Sleep with Anger

Northwest Film Forum in Capitol Hill ($7-14)

Wed, Feb 7 @ 7:30 p.m. – Tamarya Payne: The Life and Legacy of Malcolm X

Town Hall Seattle

Sun, Feb 11 @ 12:00- 3:00 p.m. – Candle Pouring with Noir Lux

Museum of History & Industry ($15-25)

Tues, Feb 13 @ 6:00-7:30 p.m. – Advancing Racial Equity: Revisiting Dr. King’s Lost Speech

Rainier Arts Center ($10)

Thurs, Feb 15 @ 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Black History Month Keynote with Dr. Doretha Williams

Northwest African American Museum (Free)

Sat/Sun, Feb 17 & 18th @ 11a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Black History Month Vendor Marker

The Outlet Collection

Click here for more events in Seattle

Educate Yourself

Books

• The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X by Les Payne and Tamara Payne

• Little Black Boy by Vetta Shantell

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

• The Color Purple by Alice Walker

•The Birdcatcher by Gayl Jones

•When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo

•Black Women Writers at Work by Claudia Tate

•The Rage of Innocence by Kristin Henning

Movies

•13th – 2016 – Documentary/History: Director Ava DuVernay

•Do the Right Thing– 1989 – Comedy/Thriller: Spike Lee

•Hidden Figures – 2016 – Drama/History : Director Theodore Melfi

•Selma – 2014 – Drama/Historical Drama : Director Ava DuVernay

•Harriet – 2019 – Drama/History: Director Kasi Lemmons

•BlacKkKlansman– 2018 – Crime/Comedy: Director Spike Lee

•Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America – 2021 – Documentary: Director Emily Kunstler, Sarah Kunstler