Black History Month

2/3/2023 1:47 pm

Celebrating Black History Month in February

February is Black History Month, when we celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans past and present.  This month has been officially recognized since 1976, with President Gerald Ford declaring February as Black History Month.  Here is President Biden’s Proclamation about National Black History Month.

Here are some ways you and your family can recognize and celebrate Black History Month this month and beyond and an introduction here by MIHS Black Student Union mentorship program lead Jamison Drayton:

• Participate in the Central District Passport Tour, hosted by Northwood PTA in collaboration with the Northwest African American Museum, where you can visit locations important to Seattle's Black History. Click here if you are interested in joining a group tour with other Mercer Island families.

• Read the Conscious Kid’s recently updated list here of children’s Black History books written by Black authors.

• Check out Black History in Two Minutes (or so), which features short, engaging videos about important historical events in Black history (narrated by executive producer Henry Louis Gates, Jr.). There are also Teaching Guides to accompany some of the episodes.

• Find the list here of suggestions on how to celebrate Black culture in the Seattle area. Black History Month family events in the Seattle area are listed here and here.  Black History Month events in the Bellevue area are listed here. 

Please contact diversity@westmercerpta.org if you would like to share how you are celebrating Black History Month.  Updates will be featured here.