February’s Black History Month was first started by Carter G. Woodson, a founder of the Association for the Study of African American History. This year’s theme is Black Family, Representation, Identity and Diversity. You can learn more about the history of Black History Month and the theme here.
Looking for suggestions on how you can honour Black History Month this year Read on!
Support Black-owned businesses
Search for local Black-owned businesses on Intentionalist, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle’s Black Business Directory, and Seattle Green Book.
Support local Black-owned businesses with Savor Seattle’s Solidarity Box 3.0 which features Chamber members JuneBaby and Boon Boona Coffee, as well as many other local favorites
Support Soul of Seattle 2021, a virtual fundraiser for local Black-owned restaurants and local nonprofit Mentoring Urban Students & Teens (MUST), who empower youth of colour in Seattle.
Search for Black-owned businesses on a national level with the Support Black Owned and Black Owned Business Network directories and shop for books from 125 Black-owned bookstores across America
There are also apps which can help you find Black-owned businesses: Official Black Wall Street and Buy Black App
Attend Black History Month virtual events
Second Annual Black-Owned Business Excellence, a series of events designed to inspire, educate, celebrate, and normalize excellence in Black-Owned Businesses in the state of Washington. (Scroll down on the site for information about the different individual sessions and to register.)
Kick-off Black History Month with Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture virtual events including book talks, kid programs, artist meetups and more.
Support Black-owned media in our region
South Seattle Emerald
Learn about Black history in our country and region
Visit Chamber member Northwest African American Museum (Although their building is temporarily closed, their programs continue! Visit their events page to see how to engage with NAAM during their physical closure.)
Learn about African American heritage in Washington
Use the self-guided prompts from Rachel Cargle’s Discover Our Glory worksheet to learn more about American Black History.
Support Black nonprofits
Local organizations include:
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute
Sundiata African American Cultural Association
Black Heritage Society of Washington State
Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas
National organizations include:
Seattle King County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Trans Women of Color Collective
Celebrate Black literature and media
Books for adults:
44 of the Best Books by Black Authors You Should Read in Your Lifetime
2021 Black History Month Books
15 inspiring books to read in honour of Black History Month
27 Books to Read in Honor of Black History Month
Books for kids:
8 Stellar Picture Books for Black History Month
21 African-American History Books to Read with Your Kids
28 great Black History Month books for kids
100 Best Children’s Books for African American History Month
Movies:
10 Must Watch Black History Documentaries
28 Days, 28 Films for Black History Month
Get to know local Black leaders on our podcast, Under Construction
Adriane Brown: If you can’t work through people, you can’t get your job done.
Solynn McCurdy: “When you have power, you have the ability to change the rules”
Former Seattle Mayor Norman Rice:I think people were waiting for a voice that wasn’t being heard
Shaunta Hyde: Finding little ways every single day to give back should be part of your core ethos