February is the time to remember and celebrate the achievements of Black Americans celebrating Black History Month. From watching movies about black experiences and attending events to enjoying music produced by black artists, this month is significant to many people in the black community.
In February 1926, Carter G. Woodson, later nicknamed “The Father of Black History,” announced in a press release the creation of “Negro History Week” which later became Black History Month. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, founded by Woodson, has designated the theme of this year’s celebration as “African Americans and Labor.” The organization states, “The 2025 Black History Month theme, African Americans and Labor, focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people.”
At the University, students and faculty celebrate this month in numerous ways. The Political Science Society hosted “Black History Month Movie Night” to honor black films, while the Black Student Union hosted “Black History Open Mic” night to showcase talent on campus.
“Black History to me has been a source of pride and appreciation for my heritage. Black History is a tradition of perseverance, innovation, and excellence that has gotten me to where I am today. I wouldn’t be here without the efforts of those who came before me–it’s made me take nothing for granted, appreciate community, and appreciate my Blackness,” one University student said.
Other students expressed their thoughts on why Black History is important to them year-round. Speaking on the meaning of Black History, a film major at the University said, “I feel like I, and the rest of my family, do embrace our blackness in many different ways, in many different shades.”
Despite its importance, some students feel that schools are not doing enough to recognize and fully publicize this national celebration.
“Yes, I do wish that the university celebrated Black History Month a whole lot more. There are so many things the university could do for this month, such as events, posters and decorations. It’s quite distasteful–the lack of acknowledgment,” another student stated.
“I hope that future generations learn to appreciate Black history not only as an important thing to celebrate for one month out of the year but rather appreciate Black history every month as fundamental to the founding of this country and as a necessary thing to appreciate to understand why and how we got here today,” Octavion Moore, a student at the University, stated.
Black History Month unites people in celebrating African Americans’ cultural traditions, achievements, and contributions throughout history. It’s the time to recognize the struggles and triumphs and to encourage people of all ethnic and social backgrounds to come together to give visibility to people and organizations that are creating change in our world. We celebrate Black History this month, but it’s important to honor it all year.
