Skip to Main Content

Donald K North Library: Black History Month

Welcome!

Podcasts & Media Presentations

The 1619 Project: Book Club Discussion from USC
"We discuss the importance of The 1619 Project, the book, the project, and it's impact on our political discourse. Why should we pay attention to history, how does the historical narrative of a country affect the way we face the future?

Aubrey Hicks is joined by Yesenia Hunter [of Heritage University], LaVonna Lewis, Jen Bravo, and David Sloane in a conversation on the meaning and joy in the The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story," (From the Website).

 

The theme for Black History Month 2024 is African Americans and the Arts

Smithsonian Black History Month 2024
"Celebrate Black History Month with Smithsonian events, resources, exhibitions, and podcasts. 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."

Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)
"African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment. Artistic and cultural movements such as the New Negro, Black Arts, Black Renaissance, hip-hop, and Afrofuturism, have been led by people of African descent and set the standard for popular trends around the world. In 2024, we examine the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans."

National Museum of African American History and Culture
"Drawn from their ancestors' ancient rites of passage and the shared hopes of liberty, Black artists continue to fuse the rhythmic cadence of creative expressions with the pulsating beats of progress. Our museum celebrates Black History Month 2024 by highlighting the "art of resistance" and the artists who used their crafts to uplift the race, speak truth to power and inspire a nation."

blackhistorymonth.gov/ 
"Culture shapes lives. It’s in the food people eat, the languages they speak, the art they create, and many other ways they express themselves. These traditions reflect the history and creative spirit of African American and other cultures of the African diaspora. Cultural Expressions is a circular, experiential, introductory space to African American and African diaspora culture."

 

Local Resources

Antiracism Resources--Yakima YWCA

The Black Heritage Society of Washington State
"Preserving, collecting and sharing the history of African Americans in Washington State are the priorities that shape the BHS mission," (From the website)..

Black History in Washington
"The Washington State Historical Society (WSHS) received funding allocated by the State Legislature in 2020 to research, explore, share and celebrate the history of Black Washingtonians," (From the website)..

African-American Holidays, Heritage, and History

Online Sources
African American Perspectives: Materials Selected from the Rare Book Collection
"A panoramic and eclectic review of African American history and culture and is primarily comprised of two collections in the Rare Book and Special Collections Division: the African American Pamphlet Collection and the Daniel A.P. Murray Collection with a date range of 1822 through 1909,"(From the website). 
Anti-slavery Manuscripts Collection at the Internet Archive
In the late 1890's, the family of William Lloyd Garrison, along with others closely involved in the anti-slavery movement, presented the library with a major gathering of correspondence, documents, and other original material relating to the abolitionist cause from 1832 until after the Civil War.

Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936 to 1938
contains more than 2,300 first-person accounts of slavery and 500 black-and-white photographs of former slaves.  

Frederick Douglass Papers
"The papers of the nineteenth-century African American abolitionist who escaped from slavery and then risked his freedom by becoming an outspoken antislavery lecturer, writer, and publisher. 

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Written by Herself (Harriet A. Jacobs)
"Reader be assured this narrative is no fiction. I am aware that some of my adventures may seem incredible; but they are, nevertheless, strictly true. I have not exaggerated the wrongs inflicted by Slavery; on the contrary, my descriptions fall far short of the facts. I have concealed the names of places, and given persons fictitious names. I had no motive for secrecy on my own account, but I deemed it kind and considerate towards others to pursue this course," (From the preface).

North American Slave Narratives
"Books and articles that document the individual and collective story of Black people struggling for freedom and human rights in the eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries. This collection includes all the existing autobiographical narratives of self-emancipated and formerly enslaved people published as broadsides, pamphlets, or books in English up to 1920.

Voices Remembering Slavery: Freed People Tell Their Stories
The recordings of former slaves in Voices Remembering Slavery: Freed People Tell Their Stories took place between 1932 and 1975 in nine states. Twenty-two interviewees discuss how they felt about slavery, slaveholders, coercion of slaves, their families, and freedom.

Voyage of the Slave Ship Sally 
"In 1764, a one-hundred ton brigantine called the Sally embarked from Providence, Rhode Island, to West Africa on a slaving voyage. The ship was owned by Nicholas Brown and Company, a Providence merchant firm run by four brothers – Nicholas, John, Joseph, and Moses Brown. The Sally's voyage was one of roughly a thousand transatlantic slaving ventures launched by Rhode Islanders in the colonial and early national period, and one of the deadliest. Of the 196 Africans acquired by the ship's master, Esek Hopkins, at least 109 perished, some in a failed insurrection, others by suicide, starvation, and disease.


Books
Online Sources

K-12

1619 Project Curriculum 
"The 1619 Project is an ongoing initiative from The New York Times Magazine that began in August 2019, the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery. It aims to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of our national narrative," (From the Website).

An Antiracist Reading List from Dr. Ibram X. Kendi

Anti-Racism Books for Kids

Association for the Study of African American Life and History
"Established on September 9, 1915 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, we are the Founders of Black History Month and carry forth the work of our founder, the Father of Black History.  We continue his legacy of speaking a fundamental truth to the world–that Africans and peoples of African descent are makers of history and co-workers in what W. E. B. Du Bois called, “The Kingdom of Culture.” ASALH’s mission is to create and disseminate knowledge about Black History, to be, in short, the nexus between the Ivory Tower and the global public. We labor in the service of Blacks and all humanity," (From the Website).

“Beloved Community” Teach-in
On January 14, 2022, in celebration of the King Holiday, The King Center is calling on educational institutions and organizations around the globe to join us for a worldwide Teach-In. The purpose of the Beloved Community Teach-In is to educate people of all ages about Dr. and Mrs. King’s legacy and how to champion completion of their unfinished work," (From the Website).

Intermediate & Secondary
Historical Fiction
"Fictitious essays, stories, and letters from slaves and slave owners portrayed in SLAVERY AND THE MAKING OF AMERICA. All of the readings, written by educators, are based on historical fact and offer elementary, middle, and high school age students engaging ways to "see" and "hear" what life was like in the time of slavery in America.

Intermediate to Secondary
Civil Rights Teaching
"Selected lessons and resources from the upcoming edition of Putting the Movement Back into Civil Rights Teaching. Some resources are already available for online access," (From the Website).

The African-American Mosaic
"This exhibit marks the publication of The African-American Mosaic: A Library of Congress Resource Guide for the Study of Black History and Culture. A noteworthy and singular publication, the Mosaic is the first Library-wide resource guide to the institution's African-American collections. Covering the nearly 500 years of the black experience in the Western hemisphere, the Mosaic surveys the full range size, and variety of the Library's collections," (From the Website).

King Institute's Liberation Curriculum
"Provides document-based lesson plans, online educational resources, and historical materials pertaining to the modern African American Freedom Struggle and King's vision of a just and peaceful world. Currently directed by Dr. Mira S. Foster, this educational initiative seeks to transform the way students acquire and apply knowledge about the past," (From the Website). 

Primary Sources
"A list of primary-source materials available throughout the SLAVERY AND THE MAKING OF AMERICA Web site, which is organized by themes. Under each theme is a list of the primary-source documents available," (From the Website).

Select General & News Databases:
Academic Search Premier
African American Studies Center

CQ Researcher

Credo Reference

Gale Academic OneFile
Gale OneFile: U.S. History

ProQuest Research Library
National Newspapers

Newspaper Navigator

Newspaper Source

Washington State News
Western Newsstand - Proquest
Yakima Herald Republic (Proquest)


Education Databases:
Education Journals - EBSCO

Education Journals - Proquest

Gale In Context: Elementary

Gale In Context: High School

Gale In Context: Middle School

Articles
Celebrating Juneteenth - National Museum of African American History and Culture
"Juneteenth marks our country’s second independence day. Though it has long been celebrated among the African American community, it is a history that has been marginalized and still remains largely unknown to the wider public. The legacy of Juneteenth shows the value of deep hope and urgent organizing in uncertain times," (From the website).
Juneteenth.com
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States," (From the website).  From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.  Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement," (From the website).

Juneteenth: A Celebration of Freedom - National Park Service
"Juneteenth is the oldest known US celebration of the abolition of the chattel slave system, and the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas. Celebrated on June 19, it became an official national holiday known as Juneteenth National Independence Day by law on June 17, 2021," (From the website).
What Is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in GalvestonTexas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday," (From the website).

Select General & News Databases:
Academic Search Premier
African American Studies Center

CQ Researcher

Credo Reference

Gale Academic OneFile
Gale OneFile: U.S. History

ProQuest Research Library

National Newspapers
Newspaper Navigator

Newspaper Source

Washington State News
Western Newsstand - Proquest
Yakima Herald Republic (Proquest)

Online Sources

Biography: Black History
February marks Black History Month, a tribute to African American men and women who have made significant contributions to America and the rest of the world in the fields of science, politics, law, sports, the arts, entertainment, and many other fields. 

How Carter G. Woodson's Life's Work Fueled the Creation of Black History Month
For the last four and a half decades, every February has marked the celebration of Black History Month — an annual observance that recognizes the achievements and contributions of Black Americans. But without historian Carter G. Woodson, who devoted much of his life to shining a light on Black history, the celebration might not exist. A century ago, the idea of highlighting Black accomplishments was all but nonexistent, and it is because of Woodson's creation of Negro History Week in 1926 that Black History Month has become one of the most significant periods of the year.

The History of Black History Month
"Daryl Michael Scott, Professor of History at Howard University and Vice President of Program for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, discusses the history of the Black History Month Celebration.

The Man Behind Black History Month
In 1915, Carter G. Woodson traveled to Chicago from his home in Washington, D.C. to take part in a national celebration of the 50th anniversary of emancipation. He had earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree at the University of Chicago, and still had many friends there. As he joined the thousands of Black Americans overflowing from the Coliseum, which housed exhibits highlighting African American achievements since the abolition of slavery, Woodson was inspired to do more in the spirit of celebrating Black history and heritage. 

 

Select General & News Databases:
Academic Search Premier
African American Studies Center

CQ Researcher

Credo Reference

Gale Academic OneFile
Gale OneFile: U.S. History

ProQuest Research Library
National Newspapers

Newspaper Navigator

Newspaper Source

Washington State News
Western Newsstand - Proquest
Yakima Herald Republic (Proquest)

Online Sources
Black Lives Matter Support Resources and Links
"A list of resources, petitions, organizations, and mutual aid funds that support the Black Lives Matter movement.

National Bail Fund Network
"The National Bail Fund Network is made up of over ninety community bail and bond funds across the country. We regularly update this listing of community bail funds that are freeing people by paying bail/bond and are also fighting to abolish the money bail system and pretrial detention.

Ways You Can Help
"When You’re Done: Educate Yourself. This Doesn’t Go Away Once The Topic Isn’t, “Trending.”

 

Select General & News Databases:
Academic Search Premier
African American Studies Center

CQ Researcher

Credo Reference

Gale Academic OneFile

Pro
Quest Research Library

National Newspapers

Newspaper Navigator

Newspaper Source

Washington State News
Western Newsstand - Proquest
Yakima Herald Republic (Proquest)

References
Cabrera, N. L. (2018). Where is the Racial Theory in Critical Race Theory?: A constructive criticism of the Crits. Review of Higher Education, 42(1), 209-233. https://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.2018.0038
Critical Race Theory FAQ. (). https://www.naacpldf.org/critical-race-theory-faq/
Delgado, R. (2012). In Stefancic J., ebrary I.(Eds.), Critical race theory an introduction (2nd ed.. ed.). New York : New York University Press.
Gibbons, Rashawn Ray and Alexandra. (2021, -07-02T17:00:21+00:00). Why are states banning critical race theory? https://www.brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2021/07/02/why-are-states-banning-critical-race-theory/
Ladson-Billings, G., & Tate, W. (1995). Toward a Critical Race Theory of Education. Teachers College Record, 97, 47-68.
Race is-- race isn't : critical race theory and qualitative studies in education (1999). . Boulder, Colorado; Oxford, England : Westview Press.
Sawchuk, S. (2021, -05-18T16:53:34.289). What Is Critical Race Theory, and Why Is It Under Attack? Education Week https://www.edweek.org/leadership/what-is-critical-race-theory-and-why-is-it-under-attack/2021/05
Stovall, D. (2005). A challenge to traditional theory: Critical race theory, African-American community organizers, and education. Discourse (Abingdon, England), 26(1), 95-108. https://doi.org/10.1080/01596300500040912
Strong-Wilson, T. (2012). Foundations of Critical Race Theory in Education. Cultural and Pedagogical Inquiry, 3(2)https://doi.org/10.18733/C34S3C
Treviño, A. J., Harris, M. A., & Wallace, D. (2008). What's so critical about critical race theory? Contemporary Justice Review : CJR, 11(1), 7-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/10282580701850330