February is Black History Month

Black History is more than a month. Black History is American History.

By Randy Corradine,
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Black History Month is meant to recognize the contributions, struggles, adversity, strength, and history of the Black experience. In honor of this month, YouthCare would like to provide resources to support learning more and engaging with Black History Month, as well as inspire reflection on ways we can all be part of the fight to end racism.

History:

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by Black Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” developed in the United States by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926. The week was selected as it included both the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Celebrations and learning opportunities spread to Canada and Latin America in the 1930s. In 1976, the United States federally extended the celebration to include the full month of February as Black History Month. Several Canadian provinces followed suit, and Canada federally marked February as Black History Month in 1996.

BHM 2023 Theme:

The YouthCare 2023 theme acts as a lens through which we can collectively focus our learning, thoughts, readings, and discussions about issues of importance – both historical and present – within the Black community and beyond. The 2023 theme of Black History Month is Black Resistance, a theme that acknowledges the strength in resisting oppression both historically and presently. Black Resistance is, and has always been, a powerful vehicle for social, political, and environmental change.

I invite the entire community to participate in consciousness-raising efforts for Black History Month 2023. I acknowledge that this effort is only a starting point intended to enhance awareness and spark conversations. I recognize that the framework is not inclusive of all intersectionality of black identities and experiences as I am only one person, and my experience is limited and not representative of the entire black experience. The intention is to support the Youth Care community in having meaningful conversations, learning, and building relationships this BHM that strengthens our community and equity work. I am confident it will be elevated by the participation and contributions of all of you. I look forward to learning and growing with all of you.

Learn: Information on Black History Month

Visit the various organizations and resources below to learn more about Black History Month:

Learn: Notable Black Figures

Click on the names below to learn more about a few notable Black figures in history.

Be Inspired & Change Narratives! 

Randy Corradine,
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at YouthCare