Black History Month 2025: African Americans & Labor
From February 1st to March 1st, the United States celebrates Black History Month to honor the rich culture, history, and traditions of individuals in the African diaspora. The 2025 Black History Month theme focuses on African Americans and labor, highlighting the history behind the American labor movement and how Black individuals continue influencing the American workforce. This year, the Foley Library is collaborating with Social Justice Peer Educator TJ Aguma to provide resources for learning about the history behind African Americans and Labor.
Here are some specific ways to celebrate Black History Month and support the Black community:
Words from Social Justice Peer Educator:
"My name is Tj Aguma, I am a first-year SJPE and am excited to work with the Foley Library for black history month. I choose to work on black history because more often than not a lot of the attention Black Americans get is focused on the struggle, the pain, and the hardships that black Americans go through. While the struggle is an important part of black history as it highlights the perseverance and determination black people continue to display in the face of hardship, I feel it is also important to highlight the joy and hope black people continue to show throughout all the hardship. I hope to educate Gonzaga students on the inequalities that black Americans face throughout history and show that regardless of all of it, Black Americans Have continued to push through and persevere while remaining hopeful and bringing joy and energy to the world."
Want to learn more about the Unity Multicultural Education Center? Click here to visit their webpage!
Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.
Some ways you can uplift the Black community include:
Using your platform to amplify Black voices
Donate to organizations
Attend events and initiatives
Educate yourself and others
Listen and take action
The Origins of Black History Month
Black History Month, observed in February in the United States and Canada, and in October in the United Kingdom, has its origins in the early 20th century. The celebration began as "Negro History Week," established by historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History) in 1926. Woodson chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two figures who had a significant impact on the lives of African Americans.
The week was designed to recognize and celebrate the contributions of African Americans to history, culture, and society, which were often overlooked or misrepresented in the mainstream narrative. Over time, the week gained popularity and was celebrated in schools and communities across the country.
In the 1960s, during the civil rights movement, there was a growing awareness of African American identity and a push for more inclusive education. This led to the expansion of Negro History Week to Black History Month on many college campuses. In 1976, as part of the United States Bicentennial, the federal government officially recognized Black History Month, and President Gerald Ford urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."
Since then, Black History Month has been celebrated annually, with each year featuring themes and events that highlight the achievements and history of African Americans. It serves as a time for reflection on the struggles for civil rights and the ongoing efforts to achieve equality and justice for all.