Celebrating 100 Years of Black History

This year marks a significant milestone for Black History Month. It is the 100^th year celebration of Black History Month which started in 1926 as Black History Week by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr Carther Godwin Woodson was a historian, author, journalist and the founder Association for the Study of African American Life and History which is still in existence today. Each year a theme is chosen and for this year’s 100th theme. This year we are urged to explore the impact and meaning of Black history and life commemorations in transforming the status of Black peoples in the modern world.

Now that we got that out of the way.

Let us discuss what 2026’s Black History Month means for many of us who are members of the African Diaspora. Now usually when we take Black History Month to focus on the contributions, struggles and triumphs of Black people from the past. We focus on the legacy that individuals like Dr. Mary Bethune who was an educator, civil rights leader and an advisor to presidents; or Lewis Latimer who without his drafting of pioneering patents we may not have the light bulb or the telephone. Then again maybe we focus those recently lost like, Gladys West a mathematician who was instrumental in helping establish GPS or Carmen de Lavallade the first Creole/African prima ballerina for the Metropolitan Opera and who encourage Alvin Ailey’s passion for dance. This year, however, I want to focus our attention on the now and the future.

I don’t know about you, but 2025 was a rough year. There has been boycotts of places and products many of us thought were on the right track when it came to diversity, equity and inclusion, and the list keeps growing.  The National Urban League’s annual publication declared a state of emergency for Black America. In that publication they discuss the many issues from misinformation to the war on “woke”. If I am honest, it seems like there is a new story everyday that seems worse than the day before. Still, all was not in the sunken place from Kendrick Lamar’s highly entertaining Super Bowl half time show to Sinner’s debut that would have many of us dissecting both horror and history for years to come to the record donations to HBCUs there has been some light moments in what has been a dark and divisive cloud over American society.

Yet it is hard to not feel some kind of way when you note that our government refuses to acknowledge the 100^th anniversary of Black History Month  focusing on the 250^th anniversary of our country which will more than like “forget”  the contributions of Black Americans in the struggle for independence, attempts to gut African American History museums and opts to erase any hints of diversity, equity and inclusion from its annals.

So, what can we do? What have we learned from Black History to help us?

Stay Resilient!

This is one of the cornerstones of Black life. History has taught Black people how to survive in difficult and dark times. Read Black stories, learn Black history, listen to those voices in the past and present. Take time to celebrate the beautiful and dance. If you feel motivated to get in trouble channel your inner John Lewis and let it be “Good Trouble” . 

This month the San Jose Public Library will be celebrating Black History Month with programs that are reflective of Black life. This year for this blog series I will be focusing on elements of Black life that have been meaningful to not only to those who are part of the African diaspora and those who do not have African ancestry. 

This Black History Month our focus should be on holding on to what matters to us and weathering the storms to come just like my ancestors did. It won't be easy, but it can be done.