Black History Month and Background | Dr. Melissa Horne

This February, your social media feeds are likely full of content relating to Black History Month — especially in the wake of last year’s Black Lives Matter protests. If your organization is paying more attention to Black History Month this year than ever before, it’s important to ensure your team is participating meaningfully rather than performatively.

Dr. Melissa Horne, the host of our “Just One Q” podcast, has a PhD in Black history and her research focused specifically on the history of Black student activism and Black protests in the early 20th Century.

In this episode, she explores the roots of Black History Month, beginning with its origins in the United States and its later adoption in Canada. Then, she looks at some of the concrete ways you and your organization can personally engage with Black History Month, this February and beyond.

You can celebrate Black History Month 2021 by:

• Refreshing and expanding your knowledge on Black History
• Consuming content by Black individuals, including anti-racist books and listening to Black speakers 
• Support Black-owned businesses
• Donate to Black non-profit organizations

Real change comes from thoughtful engagement and an ongoing commitment to anti-racism. Black History Month is a perfect reminder to recognize the contributions by Black folks and the ongoing struggles they still face today, but it is essential to continue doing the work long after February is over.