Honor and Learn this Black History Month by Adrienne Gaffney
It’s not an understatement to describe the events of the past year as historic, and particularly for Black Americans. The nation elected its first Black vice president, a woman, and a graduate of a historically Black university, and Georgia sends its first Black senator to the Capitol. (Both of these realities were possible through the tireless organizing efforts of women like Stacey Abrams of Fair Fight and LaTosha Brown of Black Voters Matter.)
This period also had Black Americans experiencing disproportionate deaths and job losses from Covid-19, police brutality, and myriad race-fueled attacks. The killing of George Floyd, a Black man in police custody, ushered in a period of collective reckoning — one that prompted widespread protests, a push for racial justice, and a re-examination of the education system’s failure to teach the accurate history of Black and Indigenous people.
As Black History Month kicks off, there may not be a physical coming together, but there are numerous cultural events in which to take part.
28 Days of Black History
Sign up via email for a virtual exhibition of 28 works that celebrate Black legacy in the U.S.
Provided by the Anti-Racism Daily.
Public Broadcasting System (PBS)
The Public Broadcasting System (PBS) shares a host of documentaries and digital shorts that highlight the richness of the Black experience in American history. Preview films premiering this month on PBS, as well as a dozen films you can stream to celebrate Black History. Included is a link that spotlights 28 Black history makers.
15 books that are essential reading for Black History Month
Article by Kami Phillips
15 epic books by some of the most brilliant African American authors and historical figures to read throughout the month.
From Maya Angelou’s classic memoir “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” to the timeless and timely story of a young unarmed Black boy who is killed by a police officer in “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, these 15 books are poignant, captivating, educating and even in some cases life-changing.
Five ways you can celebrate Black History Month virtually
From events at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) to virtual field trips to information about being a bone marrow donor; Ashley Vaughan shares ideas to celebrate Black History Month.
Here's where to shop at Black-owned restaurants and businesses in the Salem area
Article by Emily Teel
Mudbone Grown
Mudbone Grown is a black-owned farm enterprise that promotes inter-generational community-based farming that creates measurable and sustainable environmental, social, cultural, and economic impacts in communities. Mudbone Grown's work helps to develop and implement workplace-based educational experiences to help teens, young adults, and low-income communities develop marketable careers, education skills that help build and sustain community capacity and place them in local jobs. By doing this we can succeed in our five-year goal to enhance food security, reduce energy use, improve community health and well-being, and stabilize our communities.