By Terri Walker
“I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the
people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs,
ceremonies, and activities.” President Barack Obama
The above quote from Barack Obama was taken from his proclamation of February 2013 as National
African American History Month. View the entire Proclamation here, which was released
by the White House on January 31, 2013.
Having lived in NWA for the past four years, I must admit
that I am feeling the absence of the NWA Black History Showcase this month! How
are you celebrating? I have noticed ads in the local e-newsletters for a
few Black History Month celebrations. (You can get on the listservs for NWA
Black by sending an email to nwablack@gmail.com, and the University of Arkansas African American Resource Group Community Calender by by sending an email to dlw11@uark.edu.)
Before we (NWA Ebony Kids) decided to present an event for this month, I did my own search for celebrations specifically for kids and it came up sparse. I did find that Crystal Bridges is hosting an art-based weekly celebration, which is great. However, their program takes place during the school day which limits its participants to homeschoolers. If you're out there homeschoolers, I have placed the details below.
NWA Black History
Month Celebrations for Kids
Bentonville
Public Library on February 23rd 12-3pm
"Black History Month Celebration"
NWA Ebony Kids
is pleased to help present the Create-A-Craft segment of the program at 1pm!!Check the Bentonville Public Library's website for more details.
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| Bentonville Public Library |
Crystal Bridges Museum
Fridays, February 8, 15, 22, 2
to 3:30 pm"Homeschool Friday Fun/Celebrate Black History Month"
Two age groups are offered: 5 to 9 and 10 to 13.
For more information, visit their website.
A BRIEF HISTORY ON BLACK HISTORY MONTH
- Black History Month was originally “Negro History Week”, celebrated during the second week of February because that week marks the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.
- It was founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson along with the Association for the Study of Negro Life in 1926.
- In 1976, the federal government acknowledged the transition from Negro History Week to Black History Month.
- Black History Month is also federally recognized and celebrated in Canada since 1995 (in the month of February), and in the UK since 1987 (in the month of October).
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| Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson 1875-1950 |
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