February 10, 2023 Written by: June Wambua - Volunteer Social Media Marketing Lead
Black History Month (February 1-March 1) is an annual celebration of the achievements of African Americans and a time to recognize their sacrifices and pivotal role in American history.
The Origins of Black History Month
In September 1915, historian Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Woordson aimed to bring the stories and achievements of African Americans to light.
Woodson and fellow ASALH members initiated the first Negro History Week in February 1926. They selected the week in February that coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two men who were symbols of freedom. For the next 50 years, Negro History Week grew in popularity, with cities across the country having their own celebrations; and Black history began to be taught in American schools.
Negro History Week expanded to Black History Month in 1976, after former president Gerald Ford urged Americans to recognize its observance.
Black Resistance: A Journey to Equality
Since 1976, every Black History Month is based around a theme. The 2023 theme “Black Resistance” examines how, since the founding of the United States, African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression in all forms.
African Americans that shaped American history
Every Black History Month, pioneers of African American history are often mentioned, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, and Muhammad Ali—and rightfully so. But what about the unsung Black heroes who made strides in STEM, invented products still used today, or revolutionized music? Here are eight influential African Americans you may not have heard of.
1. Shirley Chisolm (1924-2005), former US
Representative - In the late 1960s, Shirley Chilsom
became the first Black woman elected to Congress. Chilsolm represented New York’s 12th District from 1969 to 1983. In 1972, she became the first female presidential candidate for the Democratic Party.
2. Katherine Johnson (1918-2020), Mathematician - Known as a “human computer,” Katherine Johnson made remarkable strides at NASA. Johnson was originally hired at NASA as one of three African American women to solve math problems. However, she wanted to learn more about NASA and her work. Johnson eventually left her position as a “computer” to work on different projects for NASA. After learning how to use geometry for space travel, Johnson’s findings helped NASA put an astronaut into orbit around Earth and put a man on the moon.
3. Robert Sengstacke Abbot (1870-1940), Lawyer, Publisher, and Editor - Robert Abbott’s newspaper titled The Chicago Defender (founded in 1905) paved the way for Black publishers such as Earl G. Graves, John H. Johnson, and Edward Lewis. Abbot’s newspaper originally began as a four-pager and gradually increased its circulation with
every edition. With the success of his newspaper, Abbot became one of America’s most prominent Black millionaires. The newspaper played an integral role in encouraging Black Americans to migrate north for better economic opportunities.
4. Bessie Coleman (1892-1926), Aviator - Bessie
Coleman was the world’s first Black licensed pilot. She was known for her unique airplane tricks, and gained the nicknames “Brave Bessie,” “Queen Bess,” and “The Only Race Aviatrix in the World.” Coleman wanted to inspire African American women to achieve their dreams. This would later become her legacy.
5. Frederick McKinley Jones (1893-1961), Inventor, Entrepreneur, and Engineer - Frederick McKinley Jones was an early 20th-century inventor who revolutionized both the film and refrigeration
industries. After educating himself in electronics,
he built a transmitter for his town’s local radio station and developed a device to combine moving
pictures with sound. From here, Jones was hired to
develop sound equipment for the film industry. In
the 1930s, he patented a mobile cooling system for
trucks. Jones patented a total of 60 inventions, 40 of which were in refrigeration.
6. Claudette Colvin (1939- ), Civil rights activist - Nine months before Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, 15-year old Claudette Colvin refused to move to the back of a segregated bus on March 2, 1955. Colvin challenged the bus driver and was subsequently arrested. She was the first woman to be imprisoned for resistance.
7. James Baldwin (1924-1987), Writer - James Baldwin was a playwright, novelist, essayist, and voice of the American civil rights movement. He is best known for works such as Notes on a Native Son, The Fire Next Time, and Go Tell It on the Mountain. In his works, Baldwin explored the psychological implications of racism for both the oppressed and the oppressor.
8. Duke Ellington (1899-1974), Jazz pianist -
Considered one of the greatest jazz composers of all time, Duke Ellington made an enormous impact on 20th-century Western music. A bandleader, composer, arranger, and pianist, he toured the world
nonstop for 50 years. With over two thousand songs, his famous hits include "In A Sentimental Mood," "Sophisticated Lady," "I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good," and "I’m Beginning To See The Light." Even today, Ellington’s songs remain among the most popular of the big band era.
Black History Month is a time for remembering and celebrating the contributions of countless men and women who made a difference despite racism and oppression. It is time to recognize Black leaders in science, tech, innovation, sports, music, and other fields. It is also a time to celebrate Black culture, which is often misrepresented in the media. We must recognize that Black history is American history. By collectively
celebrating Black history, we can come together, rewrite the narrative, and champion the dreams of future generations.