Celebrating Black History Month
Happy Black History Month! In 1976, President Ford officially recognized Black History month as a way “to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Let us continue this tradition in honoring the individuals who have sacrificed and accomplished so much, not just in February, but every day of the year.
Did you know…
Sidney Poitier was a Bahamian American actor, director, and producer who broke the color barrier in the U.S. film industry by being the first African American and the youngest actor ever to win an Academy Award for ‘Best Actor’ and is considered the first Black movie star. Of the 3,140 Oscars awarded since 1929, his win leads only about 45 Oscar wins for African Americans… ever. Poitier pushed the restrictive boundaries of Hollywood by rejecting parts that were based on racial stereotypes and paved the way for deeper, richer and more human stories.
Shirley Chisholm was both the first Black candidate to run for a major political party’s nomination and the first woman to ever run for the Democratic Party’s nomination. She served as a congressional representative for New York’s 12th district for 14 years, making her the first Black woman elected to Congress. Her contributions and efforts at the intersection of symbolic power can be summed up in her own campaign words: “I am not the candidate of Black America, although I am Black and proud. I am not the candidate of the women’s movement of this country, although I am a woman and equally proud of that. I am the candidate of the people and my presence before you symbolizes a new era in American political history.”
You can read more amazing and inspiring facts HERE!
Here are some of the ways you can celebrate Black History this month:
Attend African Popup Festival – Celebrating Black History Month at Hudson Station
(440 9th Ave., New York, NY 10001) February 19, 12-9PM
The African Popup Festival is Celebrating Black History Month! This is an opportunity for all attendees to support culture and local business and experience a unique and curated cultural market in a festive environment. Event will include a market place, DJ with Afrobeats/Global sounds. cultural dance and music performances, art exhibition and food from Africa/Caribbean/Black Diaspora.
Head over to The Paley Center for Media for their Black History Month Exhibit (25 W 52nd St New York, NY 10019) February 2nd to February 27nd, Wed.-Fri. 12-6pm; Sat. and Sun., 11am-6pm
Celebrates the incredible legacy of achievements of iconic Black on-screen talent, creatives and influencers over television’s nine decades with displays, interactive trivia about notable onscreen personalities and creative visionaries in Black TV history, family fun and education programming including arts and crafts, classes, and a home guide with viewing recommendations and more.
You can find addition local, family fun event linked HERE
If going out isn’t your thing, here is a list of Books and Films to dive into:
Books:
- The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones & The New York Times Magazine
- Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
- The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography by Sidney Poiter
- The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- One of the Good Ones by Maika and Maritza Moulite
Films:
- Soul on Disney+ (PG) After landing the gig of a lifetime, a New York jazz pianist suddenly finds himself trapped in a strange land between Earth and the afterlife.
- Red Tails on Amazon Prime (PG-13) A crew of African American pilots in the Tuskegee training program, having faced segregation while kept mostly on the ground during World War II, are called into duty under the guidance of Col. A.J. Bullard.
- One Night in Miami on Netflix (R) A fictional account of one incredible night where icons Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown gathered discussing their roles in the Civil Rights Movement and cultural upheaval of the 60s.
- Passing on Netflix (PG-13) “Passing” follows the unexpected reunion of two high school friends, whose renewed acquaintance ignites a mutual obsession that threatens both of their carefully constructed realities.
