Black History Month 2024 (2024)

As we celebrate Black History Month, we are excited to uplift and share more about Black history and leadership within our community through celebrations, food, stories, and more. Join us throughout February and beyond!

Monday 2/19
Day of Unity - Wear Red, Yellow, or Green
The colors of the Pan-African flag hold significance:
Red stands for the blood uniting all black people around the world and that has been lost to enslavement, colonization and systemic violence, black honors black skin and indicates strength, and green represents the abundance of Africa's vegetation.

Tuesday 2/20
Support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Wear colors to support any HBCU, especially your alma mater if you're a graduate!

Thursday 2/22
Sticker Day
We will be sharing stickers at each of our branches with messages of inspiration!

Friday 2/23
WE WEAR BLACK
Join us in solidarity with the Y's African American Resource Network for We Wear Black Day on February 23rd. We are all better when we commemorate the renaissance, resistance, and rejoicing that makes the African American experience unique.

Friday 3/1
Downtown Writers Center Event
Poet January Gill O'Neil
REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT

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LOCAL BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES - BUY BLACK EVENTS AT THE Y
(schedule in progress!)

Hal Welsh East Area Family branch

  • One Stop Shop LLC- 2/12, 11a-3 pm
  • Lady D’s Afrocentric Experience- 2/14, 11a-4p
  • Accessorize TO A T- 2/15, 12-4pm
  • Pudding Queen- 2/16,11a-4p
  • Bling King- 2/19, 11a-2 p
  • Trois Filles Scentual Scents- 2/23, 11a-2p.

Downtown branch

  • Super Salads- 2/12, 2/16 & 2/19, 11a-4pm
  • Lady D’s Afrocentric Experience- 2/15 & 2/16, 11a-4p

Northwest Family branch

  • One Stop Shop LLC- 2/19, 11a-3p
  • Pudding Queen- 2/19 & 2/20, 11a-4p

Southwest branch

  • Trois Filles Scentual Scents- 2/16, 11a-2p.
  • Balla Cooks- 2/19 , 1-4pm
  • Pudding Queen- 2/21 & 2/22, 11a-4p

North Area Family branch

  • Trois Filles Scentual Scents- 2/22, 11a-2p.
  • Pudding Queen- 2/23, 11a-4p

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ADDITIONAL EVENTS AROUND OUR COMMUNITY

Panel & Film Screening: NYS Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 2024
Join New York State and the Central New York Hate and Bias Prevention Regional Council for a screening of the State’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Observance and panel discussion on the pillars of his work. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.
Featuring: Bishop H. Bernard Alex, Lekia Hill, Tamika Otis, Dr. Eunice D. Williams
Register Here

Tasting the Diaspora at Salt City Market Thursdays in February, 6-8pm

  • 2/8- Haiti w/ Chef Perpetuanna & Pascal + Jean Michel Lacour
  • 2/15 Central NY w/ Chef Venus Likulumbi & Kishi Ducre
  • 2/29- Liberia w/ Chef Naomi Cooper & Danielle Taana Smith

Black History Celebration at PSLA at Fowler High School
227 Magnolia Street, Syracuse, NY on February 15, 5-7pm
Register here

  • Catered Soul food dinner, Performances & Presentations, Book Giveaways, History
  • Lessons and Community Resources.


Cultural Expo at 149 Beattie St
Saturday 2/24, 11a-4p

  • Vendors, Storytelling, Literature, Youth activities, Refreshments & More.
Black History Month 2024 (2024)

FAQs

Black History Month 2024? ›

BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2024 as National Black History Month.

What is the 2024 theme for Black History Month? ›

The 2024 theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” explores the creativity, resilience and innovation from a culture that has uplifted spirits and soothed souls in countless ways across centuries.

Is Black History Month in February or October? ›

February is Black History Month. This month-long observance in the US and Canada is a chance to celebrate Black achievement and provide a fresh reminder to take stock of where systemic racism persists and give visibility to the people and organizations creating change.

What is the proclamation for Black History Month 2024? ›

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring February 2024 as Black History Month. This month, we pay homage to the rich history and contributions of Black Americans who have shaped our state and nation in countless ways through centuries of struggle and triumph.

What is the theme of the African American read in 2024? ›

For the 18th year, the UNI African American Read-In is part of National African American Read-In activities planned nationwide during Black History Month. Planning is underway for this virtual event planned for Feb. 15, 2024, with Iowa first graders. This year's event follows the theme "African Americans and the Arts."

What is the theme for Black History Month 2025? ›

The theme, “African Americans and Labor,” intends to encourage broad reflections on intersections between Black people's work and their workplaces in all their iterations and key moments, themes, and events in Black history and culture across time and space and throughout the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora.

What is the theme for women's history month 2024? ›

The 2024 Women's History Month theme established by The National Women's History Alliance is titled: "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion." The theme recognizes women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely from our ...

Why did they put Black History Month in February? ›

Woodson chose February for reasons of tradition and reform. It is commonly said that Woodson selected February to encompass the birthdays of two great Americans who played a prominent role in shaping black history, namely Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, whose birthdays are the 12th and the 14th, respectively.

Why is October a Black History Month? ›

Firstly, October is when African chiefs and leaders gather to settle their differences so this month was chosen to reconnect with black peoples' roots on the continent. It was also first held in 1987, as it was the 150th anniversary of Caribbean emancipation.

Who was known as the father of Black history? ›

Carter G. Woodson was a scholar whose dedication to celebrating the historic contributions of Black people led to the establishment of Black History Month, marked every February since 1976.

What are the colors for Black History Month? ›

The four colours that are used for Black History Month are black, red, yellow and green. Black represents resilience, red denotes blood, yellow is optimism and justice, and green symbolises rich greenery.

Who was the first president to declare Black History Month? ›

On February 10, 1976, President Gerald R. Ford issued a message recognizing Black History Month, becoming the first President to do so. The moment was decades in the making.

When did slavery end? ›

13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Abolition of Slavery (1865) National Archives.

What's the theme for Black History Month 2024? ›

The 2024 theme is "African Americans and the Arts" spanning the many impacts Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more.

Who is a famous Black person? ›

Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Muhammad Ali are often mentioned—and rightfully so.

What do you say for Black History Month? ›

Top 10 Best Black History Month Quotes:

"The time is always right to do what is right." "I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear." "Have a vision. Be demanding."

What is the annual theme for Black History Month? ›

The Black History Month 2024 theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” explores the key influence African Americans have had in the fields of “visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression.”

What is the theme for Black History Month 2024 in the UK? ›

This year's theme for Black History Month is “Reclaiming Narratives,” and marks a significant shift towards recognising and correcting the narratives of Black history and culture.

What is the theme of the colors for Black History Month? ›

The four colours that are used for Black History Month are black, red, yellow and green. Black represents resilience, red denotes blood, yellow is optimism and justice, and green symbolises rich greenery.

Why was February chosen as the Black History Month? ›

It is commonly said that Woodson selected February to encompass the birthdays of two great Americans who played a prominent role in shaping black history, namely Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, whose birthdays are the 12th and the 14th, respectively. More importantly, he chose them for reasons of tradition.

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