Black History Month
A Message on Black History Month
Dear AIM Community:
AIM invites you to join us in observing and honoring Black History Month alongside our students, alumni, leadership, and our entire community.
Black History Month provides us with the occasion to recognize the powerful impact African Americans have had in shaping the history of the United States. Each February is a month-long opportunity to not only celebrate the heritage, accomplishments, and cultural contributions African Americans have made to the nation but also to acknowledge the unique role the diverse and expansive Black community has played in leading the struggle toward advancing freedom, racial justice, and equality throughout the world.
The movement to recognize and celebrate Black History Month was led by the author, historian, and journalist Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) in 1915 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Emancipation. Each year, the ASALH selects the theme for Black History Month, and this year, the theme is Black Resistance. These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just democratic society in the United States and beyond the United States political jurisdiction.
We honor the fact that Black people are integral to the foundation of our country – from its inception, in defense of our values of freedom, liberty and democracy, and the continued commitment to holding us accountable to those values each day – without the appropriate recognition and compensation.
AIM is committed to recognizing and celebrating the Black community on campus and beyond. In the coming weeks, we look forward to commemorating this month-long observance, and we encourage you to participate and learn alongside your students from the variety of opportunities presented. This list is not comprehensive, as we expect programming to evolve over the coming weeks, so we invite you to regularly check the Black History Month calendar for the most up-to-date information for this month
In February, and throughout the year:
We celebrate Black joy, Black beauty, and Black art.
We celebrate Black courage, Black leadership, Black strength, and Black wisdom.
We celebrate Black brilliance, Black ingenuity, Black intellect, and Black invention.
In Partnership,
LaShundra McCook, M.Ed
Coordinator of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging