Black History Resources
by gsumner3rd
Celebrating Black History Month
February 2023
Black History Month, also known as African American History month, has been nationally recognized by every U.S. president since 1976. We are happy to share resources with you throughout the month of February to bring to students’ attention the changes in how people of African descent in the United States have viewed themselves, the influence of social movements on racial ideologies, and the aspirations of the black community.
National Archives
The National Archives holds a wealth of material documenting the African American experience and highlights these resources online, in programs, and through traditional and social media.
https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/african-american-history
Public Broadcasting
PBS provides a collection of 17 lesson plans and resources that cover topics ranging from important civil rights anniversaries to discussions about race in current events.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/2014/02/black-history-month-teaching-resources/
Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Explore Black History Month with your students using lessons, podcasts, activities, and primary sources.
https://historyexplorer.si.edu/major-themes/theme/black-history-month
National Geographic KIDS
A brief history of the celebration and history of African Americans as part of Black History Month
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/black-history-month
CNN
CNN focuses on 28 Black figures – one for each day of February – who don’t often make the history books.
https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2021/02/us/little-known-black-history-figures/
National Park Service
From the first footsteps of enslaved peoples on American soil to where Martin Luther King, Jr. challenged us all to rise to his “Dream,” national parks preserve the places where this history happened.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/africanamericanheritage/index.htm/index.htm
iCivics
In celebration of Black History Month, iCivics shares resources as well as partner organizations to support learning and conversations in the classroom.
https://www.icivics.org/news/blog-post/black-history-month-lesson-plans-and-resources-classroom-0
Center for Civic Education
The Center for Civic Education has posted The School Violence Prevention Demonstration Program presenting lesson plans that explore the use of nonviolence in history, paying particular attention to the civil rights movement, and African American history.
https://www.civiced.org/lesson-plans/black-history-month
History Channel
General information for Black History Month is presented by the History Channel.
https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month
Closing the racial wealth gap isn’t a simple fix. But many experts say education and financial literacy can help. In this article, we identify the impact this knowledge gap has on the African American community — and explore how Black educators and financial advisors are working to close it.
Other Resources
Carlotta Spears Bass | Unladylike
Learn about Charlotta Spears Bass, a crusading newspaper editor and politician who was one of the first African American women to own and operate a newspaper in the United States, in this video from the Unladylike2020 series.
Brown v. Board of Education and Jackie Robinson’s Push for Equality
Students examine why and how Jackie Robinson fought for further integration after the Supreme Court’s decision that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education. Students will explore the Robinson family’s experiences facing overt racism, and discuss the ways implicit attitudes of prejudice shape people’s behavior and treatment of others.
Keep Your Head Up | Black America Since MLK | And Still I Rise
In this lesson, students examine their attitudes about some of the complexities posed by race. Students then explore the success of two African Americans in the entertainment industry—Oprah Winfrey and Robert L. Johnson, head of BET (Black Entertainment Television).
National Archives
The National Archives holds a wealth of material documenting the African American experience and highlights these resources online, in programs, and through traditional and social media.
https://www.archives.gov/news/topics/african-american-history
Social Studies Resources 
You must be logged in to post a comment.