Authored By: Candace Whitman
February is Black History Month! Black History Month began in 1926 as a week-long event organized by Carter G. Woodson and what is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The idea spread to other cities in the years after and February was officially designated Black History Month in 1976 by President Gerald Ford.
Each year, there is a designated theme for Black History Month. This year's theme is “African Americans and the Arts.” This theme aims to recognize and celebrate the massive influence African Americans have had on all forms of art, including music, fashion, dance, and literature.
Here are a few interesting Black History facts:
- According to History.com, John Mercer Langston was the first Black man to become a lawyer. He passed the bar in Ohio in 1854. He was also one of the first African Americans to be elected to public office in 1855.
- Oprah Daily states that Nat King Cole was the first Black American to host a show on TV. He hosted The Nat King Cole Show on NBC where he featured a variety of popular musical guests.
- Gwendolyn Brooks was the first African American woman to win a Pulitzer prize in 1950 for her book Annie Hall.
One way Advocate Capital and Pinnacle Financial Partners' Culture Club chose to observe Black History Month was by hosting a special panel-style conversation earlier this month. The panelists discussed belonging over time. The panelists included Artist Elisheba Mrozik, business owner Keisha Gardner Beard, Pinnacle Financial Partners Associate Dale Mitchell, and Lee Molette. The Culture Club will also be hosting a Black History trivia event later this month.
As February comes to a close, we encourage you to take the time to celebrate Black History Month by attending local Black History Month events, researching and learning about Black History, supporting Black artists and business owners, and supporting nonprofit organizations that are Black-led or help Black Americans.
