NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
As we transition in the second month of the new year, I ask you to join me in celebrating Black History Month. To properly recognize the holiday, we must first acknowledge the origins of its creation. The year was 1915 and historian, Carter G. Woodson noticed there was a lack of published information of the contributions of Black Americans, so he co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.
In 1962 the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History declared the second week of February as “Negro History Week”, to recognize the contributions of Black Americans to U.S. history. This week was specifically chosen to honor the birthdays of both abolitionist, Frederick Douglass and former U.S. president Abraham Lincoln.
Black History Month became official in 1976 when U.S. President Gerald Ford extended the week to the whole month of February.
To guide us in recognizing the achievements and impact Black Americans have had on the history of our nation, DLA Distribution EEO has created the attached newsletter which includes an article on the Harlem Renaissance that took place in New York during the early 1900s. The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural and social movement led by artist and performers of various disciplines and birthed some of history’s most influential African American writers, musicians, and performers.
Mr. Knight and I are always proud of all the work you do and encourage everyone to take this month, and every month, to learn about the amazing numerous contributions from Black Americans.