Each February, National Black History Month serves as both a celebration and a powerful reminder that Black history is American history, Black culture is American culture, and Black stories are essential to our ongoing story — our faults, our struggles, our progress, and our aspirations. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) who works to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community. Each year they choose a theme for Black History Month that reflects changes in how people of African descent in the United States have viewed themselves. The theme of Black History Month 2022 is “Black Health and Wellness.”
From the ASALH: “Black Health and Wellness not only includes one’s physical body, but also emotional and mental health. At this point in the 21st century, our understanding of Black health and wellness is broader and more nuanced than ever. Social media and podcasts, such as The Read, hosted by Crissle and Kid Fury have normalized talking about mental health and going to therapy as well as initiatives such as Therapy for Black Girls. More of us understand the need to hold down, lift up, center, and fight fiercely for our beloved trans siblings and family. Black girls are doing breathwork, and there are whole yoga studios dedicated to people of color.”
Learning about this year’s theme and the history of Black History Month increases awareness and builds allyship between all supporters.
In addition to education, here are some ways you can celebrate Black History this month:
- Support a Black business
- Visit a Black History or Civil Rights Museum in your local area
- Donate to a Black organization
- Spend time with a Black elder in your community
- Read a book by a Black author
- Sign up to mentor a Black child in your community
- Attend or host a Black culture event in your community
- Learn about an unsung hero of Black history
- Support a Black creative (artist, poet, local musician, etc.)
- Study the African Diaspora
- Explore Black Music
- Call out racism and prejudice in your community
- Sign up to receive news from a Black organization
- Contribute an essay or blog to a Black media outlet
- Support the black media, black press, and the NNPA
- Engage in healthy conversations about Black history on social media
- Read a biography of an influential Black figure
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