Human Rights Committee
- February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States. This tradition dates back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson first introduced a week-long event to build awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals.
- Read more about Black History Month, learn about the accomplishments of Black Americans, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below.
- Join the celebration by wearing your Black History Month AFA Pin during the month of February. If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.
February 1st marks the first day of Black History Month in the United States. The celebration has a long tradition that can be traced back to 1925 when Harvard trained-historian Carter G. Woodson introduced “Negro History Week”, which sought to raise awareness of the contributions made by Black individuals to society and the world. It was expanded to its current form in 1976 by President Gerald R. Ford when it became Black History Month.
Learn More About Black History
You can learn more about the accomplishments of Black Americans through some of the dedicated websites and resources below.
- National Archives – African American History Month Resources
- National Endowment for the Humanities – African American History and Culture in the United States
- National Park Service – Black History Month
- Smithsonian Institution – National Museum of African American History & Culture
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum – Black History Month
- Alaska Air Group Black Employees, Allies and Advocates (ABEA) Events (AAG sign-on required)
Celebrate with a Black History Month AFA Pin
In 2019, the AFA Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution in recognition of February as Black History Month. The resolution established a special commemorative pin for AFA Members to wear throughout the month of February.
For more information about the pin, contact your Local Human Rights Committee. Also be on the lookout for a communication from your Local Council or contact your LEC Officers to determine pin availability.
