Established in 1915 by Carter G Woodson, Black History Month is an intersectional celebration that honors Black excellence in our history and in the present. African Americans have a rich history of perseverance and creativity. Black Americans are and always have been fundamental pioneers to American society, despite all adversity. This curation celebrates a history of activism as well as the necessity of art and joy, a duality which continues to thrive today.
This guide, and the accompanying physical display in Bird Library, were curated by graduate students Ocean Noah (M.F.A. candidate in creative Writing, College of Arts and Sciences) and McKenzie Rybka (M.M. candidate in vocal performance, College of Visual and Performing Arts). Ocean works in the Libraries' Department of Learning and Academic Engagement at our Information Desk, and McKenzie works in the Libraries' Department of Research and Scholarship with our collections team.