Black History Month

Black History Month celebrates African-American history and the contributions of Black people in the United States.

Description & History

Black History Month is an annual observance dedicated to recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. Its roots date back to 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) launched "Negro History Week" to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Intended to educate the public on Black contributions to civilization, the commemoration was officially expanded to a month-long celebration in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, with the ASNLH (now ASALH) continuing to designate a specific theme for the month each year. 2026 will mark the centennial celebration of the very first Negro History Week, the theme this year is “A Century of Black History Commemorations”.

Professional Learning Resources

Black History Month Resources from the Anti-Defamation League

This curated collection from ADL includes Resources on Black History, Classroom Resources on Race and Racism, Classroom Resources on Racial Disparities and Social Justice, Classroom Resources on Voting Rights: Past and Present, and more.

Center for Racial Justice in Education

The Center provides histories, stories, and resources to amplify the voices of Black people in school curricula. Resources include lesson plans, reading lists, videos, and weblinks available by providing contact information.

Civil Rights Teaching

Lessons and readings from "Putting the Movement Back Into Civil Rights Teaching" this resource provides introductions and overviews to help you develop a thought process when selecting materials and organizing content when teaching Civil Rights Movement.

In Their Own Words: Black Librarians on Making a Difference

Read this recent 2023 School Library Journal about five school librarians about their work and their students.

Learner Engagement Resources

Black History Month for Teachers

Browse ready-to-use lesson plans, student activities, collection guides, and research aids from the Library of Congress and other institutions including the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, and Smithsonian Institution.

Black History Month Lessons & Resources

The National Education Association has compiled a selection of lesson plans that cover a variety of subjects that can be adapted to fit multiple grade levels.

Celebrating Black History and Culture

PBS provides an extensive collection of videos, media galleries, and lesson plans to help support teaching of Black History Month.

D.C. Area Educators for Social Justice

Links to suggested lessons, films, books, and teaching guides for Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action. Resources for Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle and High School ages.

National Museum of African American History and Culture

NMAAHC provides educational offerings for students and educators in grades 3-12. Resources are designed to stimulate new ways of thinking and cultivate a passion for lifelong learning.

Booklists

19 Children's Books that Celebrate Black History

Save the Children presents 19 picture books that celebrate many aspects of black history and identity.

The Best Black History Books of 2025

Suitable for young adults, new adults, and adults, this top 10 list of black history books published in 2025 is provided by the African American Intellectual History Society.

Black History Month: Book Recommendations for Kids

Booklist recommendations for young learners and another for older, school aged, students.

Black History: Social Justice Books

SocialJustice.org provides well-organized and varied selections for Black History Month. Featuring Early Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle -Fiction/-Nonfiction, Young Adult and Adult, and a special section for Educators, there is something for everyone