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History of Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual observance in February,
celebrating the past and present achievements of African Americans. In
February 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of the Association for
the Study of African American Life and History, proposed the
establishment of "Negro History Week" to honor the history and
contributions of African Americans to American life. Dr. Woodson, known
as the "Father of Black History", chose the second week of February
because it commemorates the birthdays of two men who greatly affected
the African American community: Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and
Frederick Douglass (February 14). Negro History Week became Black
History Week in the early 1970's. In 1976, the week-long observance was
expanded to a month in honor of the nation's bicentennial.
Black History Month is sponsored by the Association for the Study of
African American Life and History (ASALH). The Association
was founded in 1915 by Dr. Carter Woodson--historian, teacher, author
and publisher. Each year the Association designates the national theme
for Black History Month. In 2006, the association's theme was
"Celebrating Community: A Tribute to Black Fraternal, Social and Civic
Institutions," in recognition of the impact that these organizations
have had on the evolution of African American life and history. It also marked the 100th
anniversary of the founding of the first continuous, collegiate Greek letter fraternity
Alpha Phi Alpha. Serving more than just their own immediate members, fraternities and
sororities joined with the Urban League and other social and civic
organizations to address the Black community's social, economic and
political challenges.
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Living Legends
Since 1980, the County of Los Angeles Public Library has
honored African American leaders and role models during an annual
program.
History &
Honorees of the Living Legends Series
Selected Images
The Living Legends event will not be held this year to allow for a smooth transition for the new Second District Supervisor, Mark Ridley-Thomas. The Library will be working with Supervisor Ridley-Thomas' staff to determine how best to celebrate the community's achievements.
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| 2009 Black
Resource Center Events |
Saturday, January 31
1:00 p.m. |
African American Genealogy Workshop
A C Bilbrew Library
Presented by Charlotte Bocage, family historian and professional genealogist of the California African American Genealogy Society. |
Thursday, February 12
4:00 p.m. |
African American History Show
A C Bilbrew Library
Take a musical and historical look at African influences on the United States and the world with Ray DelaPaz, musician, composer and storyteller. |
Saturday, February 21
1:30 p.m. |
The Eastsiders Film Screening
A C Bilbrew Library
Focuses on the generation of African Americans who grew up along the Central Avenue corridor from 1920 to 1965. Presented by historian and retired judge, William C. Beverly, Jr. |
Saturday, February 28
1:00 p.m. |
Writer's Workshop
A C Bilbrew Library
Have a passion for writing? Ready to turn your thoughts into a book? Find out how from authors who did it. Local poet and author, Charles L. Chatmon, will facilitate a workshop that includes a panel of local writers. Free and open to the public.
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Annual Living Legends
The Living Legends event will not be held this year to allow for a smooth transition for our new Second District Supervisor, Mark Ridley-Thomas. |
| 2009 Library Events |
Monday, February 2
6:30 p.m. |
We Shall Overcome
Newhall Library
A musical journey through African American history with Makinto. A free program for families with school-age children. |
Tuesday, February 3
3:30 p.m. |
Up From the Roots
Diamond Bar Library
An interactive musical performance with drums, dance and African American History. |
Tuesday, February 3
6:00 p.m. |
Black History Month Celebration
Sunkist Library
Dynamic and energetic storyteller Michael McCarty performs a collections of stories to inform, educate, inspire and amuse people of all ages. All ages welcome. |
Wednesday, February 4
11:00 a.m. |
Voice of King
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
Saul Lancaster enacts Dr. King's famous speeches. Open to all. |
Wednesday, February 4
4:30 p.m. |
Black History Month Storytime
City Terrace Library
A special storytime and art activity. |
Saturday, February 7
11:30 a.m. |
Black History Month Storytime
East Los Angeles Library
Join us as we celebrate Black History Month with stories, songs and activities. |
Saturday, February 7
2:00 p.m. |
The Spirit of Black Folklore
Culver City Library
The storytelling troupe We Tell Stories presents interactive African and African American plays.
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Sunday, February 8
2:00 p.m. |
African Drum Circle Stories
Westlake Village Library
The Sunshine Storyteller, Ina Buckner-Barnette, and Chazz Ross, percussionist, tells African stories in a Drum Circle. |
Thursday, February 12
2:30 p.m. |
Black History Month Storytime
Hollydale Library
Listen to Minty the story of Harriet Tubman with an "I have a Dream" mobile art activity. All ages welcome. |
Thursday, February 12
3:30 p.m. |
Lincoln Birthday Celebration
Newhall Library
Celebrate President Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday with cake, party favors, trivia games and prizes for the winners. RSVP by calling or visiting the library. |
Saturday, February 14
3:00 p.m. |
Book Talk
Culver City Library
Los Angeles based photojournalist and author Valena Broussard Dismukes discusses her new book about African and American Indian descendants in the U.S. |
Sunday, February 15
2:00 p.m. |
African Griot Storytelling
Westlake Village Library
Asha's Baba, a Griot Storyteller, tells stories in the West African tradition. |
Wednesday, February 18
4:00 p.m. |
African American Women in History
Masao W. Satow Library
Performer Cecelia Antoinette presents vignettes of African American women who made an impact on American culture. |
Saturday, February 21
2:00 p.m. |
The Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
East Rancho Dominguez Library
The historical speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. enacted by Dr. Dennis M. Brown. |
Saturday, February 21
2:00 p.m. |
Black History Month Celebration
Montebello Library
African American folk tales, book talks and art activity.
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Tuesday, February 24
6:00 p.m. |
To Form a More Perfect Union: Milestones of the Civil Rights Movement Film Showing
Huntington Park Library
Through rare archival footage, this film describes ten milestones of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950's and 1960's. Light refreshments provided courtesy of the Friends of the Huntington Park Library. |
Wednesday, February 25
3:30 p.m. |
Michael McCarty: Have Mouth. Will Run It!
Littlerock Library
A family event with comedian and storyteller Michael McCarty. For the young and the young at heart, this program is for you. |
Wednesday, February 25
6:30 p.m. |
Latino Museum Community Film Lecture Series: Where Black Is Brown
East Los Angeles Library
Dr. Toni-Mokaetji Humber, Professor of Ethnic and Women’s Studies, will present visual research on the understanding of Africa’s influence and contributions to the diverse culture and history of Mexico. |
Thursday, February 26
5:00 p.m. |
The Voice of King
View Park Library
Dennis Brown enacts "The Voice of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of View Park Library. |
Saturday, February 28
1:00 p.m. |
A Medley of African American Music
Lancaster Library
Vocalist and musician Makinto presents a musical journey through the evolution of African American music and history. |
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Lift Every Voice and Sing
(Negro National Anthem)
Often referred to as the "Negro National Anthem", this song
was written by James Weldon Johnson and his brother J. Rosamond Johnson
in 1900 for the celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday. It was
originally performed by children at its premiere in Jacksonville,
Florida. James W. Johnson was a notable poet who later went on to
become one of the founders of the National Association for Advancement
of Colored People (NAACP). Rosamond Johnson was a successful composer
of music for Broadway.
Lift ev’ry voice and sing,
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list’ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chast’ning rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered.
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who hast by Thy might,
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.
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"I Have A Dream" Speech by Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
 One
of most indelible speeches of the Civil Rights Movement is Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr's eloquent speech "I Have a Dream" from the August 28,
1963, rally on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Dr. King and other Black ministers
formed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957 to
expand
the struggle against racism and discrimination. By early 1963, Dr. King
and the SCLC launched non-violent demonstrations to protest racial
discrimination
in Birmingham, Alabama, then one of the most segregated cities in the
United
States. In reaction to the violent police actions, President John F.
Kennedy
proposed a wide-ranging civil rights legislation to Congress.
Dr. King along with other civil
rights leaders then organized a massive march on Washington, D.C., to
urge
Congress to pass Kennedy's bill. On August 28, 1963, nearly a quarter
of
a million people gathered at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to hear
King and others. The highlight of the rally was Dr. King's "I Have a
Dream"
speech which has since defined the civil rights movement, not only for
African Americans but for all people.
The civil rights movement won
a significant victory in 1964 when Congress passed The Civil Rights Act
of 1964, prohibiting discrimination in public places and promoting
equal
opportunities in education and employment. Dr. King received the Nobel
Peace Prize in 1964 and is remembered today for his vision and his
legacy.
For more information:
"I
have a Dream" Speech
Provides the text of the speech delivered on the steps of the Lincoln
Memorial on August 29, 1963. Also includes a bibliography of resources, a
photo gallery from the Seattle Times and links to other sites.
The King
Center
Dedicated to the preservation
and advancement of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s work, the King Center
offers
a wide range of informationbiographical information on Dr.
King and
Coretta Scott King, the King Holiday and other historical information.
The
Seattle Times: Martin Luther King
Contains stories and photos
from the Seattle Times as wells as time lines for Martin Luther King
and
for the Civil Rights movement. Click on the "His Words" to hear excerpts from King's most famous speeches,
including
two excerpts from "I Have a Dream" and one from the speech Dr. King
gave
the day before he was assassinated in 1968.
The
King Papers Project (Stanford University)
The project is a major research
effort to assemble and disseminate information about Martin Luther King
and the social movements he worked for. The Frequently Requested
Documents
include the "I Have a Dream" speech which can be viewed in multiple
languages
by clicking on the flag icons. The site also includes biographical
information,
King's sermons and other material.
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Reading Lists
Celebrating
the Cultural Heritage of African American Writers
LA's Own: Los
Angeles Through the Eyes of African American Fiction Authors
Selected Resources
for the Study of African American History and Culture
Tuskegee Airmen: A Selected Reading List
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For More Information Visit:
Black Resource Center, County of Los Angeles Public Library
Located at the A C Bilbrew Library, the Black Resource Center (BRC) was established in 1978 to support
research and study on the social, historical, musical and cultural aspects unique to the "Black Experience."
There are links to general African American websites and topics such as Juneteenth and Kwanzaa.
U.S. Census Bureau,
Black History Month 2009
Facts and statistics about African Americans.
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Celebrating Black History Month | Living
Legends | Selected
Images
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