Black History Month offers an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and experiences of Black individuals whose work has shaped communities, institutions, and public systems in the United States. Additionally, it provides a focused moment to honor history, though the impact of these contributions is felt year-round. This year marks the centennial of the first national efforts to formally study and document Black history. 

Origins of Black History Commemoration 

In 1915, Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson and colleagues, including George Cleveland Hall, William B. Hartgrove, Jesse E. Moorland, Alexander L. Jackson, and James E. Stamps, established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Their work focused on researching, documenting, and sharing the histories of Black life in the United States, laying the foundation for continued study and public observance. 

The relevance of February dates back to 1926, when Dr. Woodson established “Negro History Week” during the second week of the month, which he chose to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. By building the week around these existing celebrations, Woodson sought to encourage broader public study of Black history while connecting to established traditions. This choice helped set the stage for the expansion into what is now Black History Month. 

Contributions Across Fields 

Over the past century, Black leaders have made notable contributions in healthcare, social work, and public policy. In healthcare, Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler became the first Black woman in the United States to earn a medical degree.  More recently, Dr. Ala Stanford founded the Black Doctors COVID-19 Consortium, which reached more than 100,000 people, and later launched a Center for Health Equity in a Philadelphia neighborhood with one of the lowest life expectancies in the city. 

In social work and family studies, scholars such as E. Franklin Frazier examined the social and economic conditions affecting Black families, publishing research that shaped academic study and informed professional practice for decades. In public systems serving children and families, figures such as Marian Wright Edelman founded the Children’s Defense Fund and contributed to national discussions on policies affecting children and family well-being. 

Reflecting on History and Legacy 

Black History Month provides an opportunity to recognize the historical contributions of Black leaders and the contexts in which they worked. This month highlights the importance of documenting and understanding Black history and the individuals who shaped it.