Black History Month is commemorated across the U.S. in February each year to celebrate the achievements, contributions, and rich past of Black individuals and communities.
The Origins of Black History Month
Black History Month traces its roots to the first “Negro History” week established by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Carter was a well-known author, scholar, and historian in his day. He earned his doctorate in History from Harvard University, making him the second Black American to graduate from Harvard with a PhD after W.E.B. Du Bois (the co-founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP).
During his years of education in the U.S. school system and later as a school principal, Dr. Woodson observed the glaring absence of knowledge on the Black experience. He dedicated his life to making Black history a part of accepted school curricula and the public conscience. He founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) in 1915 to carry out his mission.
Black History Month Today
More than 100 years after the formation of ASALH, the group stands firm as the founders of Black History Month. Each year, ASALH chooses a theme to focus the public’s attention on subjects that merit our attention. The theme for 2025 is “African Americans and Labor.” A choice that “focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds—free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary—intersect with the collective experiences of Black people.”
Ways to Honor Black History Month at Work
As a business owner, human resources department head, or staff coordinator, celebrating Black History Month is just one of the many ways you can help your company or group showcase its continuing efforts to promote diversity and inclusion of all people. Consider these activities for your group:
- Donate to a Black organization: Survey your staff to find out which local, Black-led nonprofit they would like to raise donations for. Take the one with the most votes and run a fundraising campaign or a donation-matching challenge throughout the month. Present a big check to the nonprofit at the end of February with the leading staff who helped.
- Host an employee luncheon at a Black-owned establishment: If you know a great place, take everyone out to eat and let the owner know you support them. If your employee number is too large, consider sending each department on different days or purchasing meal vouchers.
- Volunteer with a Black-led nonprofit: Most large cities have an NAACP chapter or a local nonprofit dedicated to uplifting Black youth. Pro Tip: Find a nonprofit whose mission aligns with your company culture or products and find out how you can work together to make a difference.
- Support Black-owned businesses: If you work with suppliers or business-to-business transactions, make a concerted effort to find and add a new Black-owned business to your supply chain this month.
- Invite speakers to a company event: Look up your local speaker’s bureau, NAACP chapter, or university to invite a guest to your next event. The ASALH offers premier speakers on Black history topics for larger businesses and audiences.
Make Your Company Culture Welcoming to All People
Celebrating Black History Month is one of the many ways your company or group can foster a culture that welcomes and respects everyone. Events to encourage continued learning, equitable group benefits for all employees, and an interested and professional approach to promptly addressing staff issues go a long way toward this goal.
Create an Equitable Work Environment with Group Benefits
Need more help creating a diversity and inclusion program? Our agents can help advise you on a group benefits policy that provides for all employees, regardless of age, race, gender, or other protected status. Contact our office to discuss your options today.