Happy Black History Month!

(3-minute read)

Hi everyone! I wanted to create a quick post touching a bit on what this month is about and how you can celebrate and educate yourself during this month and beyond. A lot of the information is general but at the end I share some of the amazing marine science based Black-led NGOs that inspire me as I pursue a career in this field.

A Little Bit About Black History Month

The purpose of this month is to focus our attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today (source).

The celebration of Black History Month was originally a week in February which was first established in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, an African American historian, scholar, educator, and publisher (source). It's said that Woodson selected February to encompass the birthdays of two great Americans who played a prominent role in shaping Black history, namely Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, whose birthdays are the 12th and the 14th, respectively (source). This week later become a month-long celebration in 1976 (source).

There are different themes for each year and for Black History Month 2024 the theme is African Americans and the Arts (source).

Ways You Can Celebrate This Month

Educate Yourself!

Whether you want to learn about Black activism, Black artists, overall Black history, etc. there are books, documentaries, podcasts, news articles, etc., all available to you! Take it further and even have conversations with your friends and family about what you have learned. Here is a link to some excellent Black history documentaries/films as well as books.

Remember That Black History is Intersectional

"Intersectional" refers to involving members of multiple social categories such as race, class, sexual identity, and gender as they apply to an individual or group (source). Black History is feminist, queer, religious, environmentalist, etc. When educating yourself, make sure to take in the full and broad scale of Black history!

Support Black-owned Businesses

Supporting these businesses is one way you can directly give back to the Black community. There are tons of different directories that can guide you to what you need. Write and provide online reviews for these businesses and recommend them to your friends and family! Want to go out to eat? You can use the EatOkra app to help you locate Black-owned restaurants in the US.

Donate to Black-led Organizations in Your Community

There are so many Black-led non-profit organizations in the world that are aiming to make tangible change. They are aiming to improve education, support artists, make policy changes, create environmentalists, develop community, and more. This article shares Black-led organizations on the National and Global scale.

And most importantly, celebrate Black history year-round! You can continue to celebrate Black history, support Black communities, and always learn more every month of the year!

Sharing Some Black-led Organizations in Marine Science That Inspire Me

Final thing, as a passionate marine scientist, I wanted to share some of the Black-led marine science organizations that continue to motivate and inspire me while I pursue this amazing career!

Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS) an organization that provides a community and funded opportunities for gender minorities of color who wish to enter the field of shark sciences. 

Black Women in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Science (BWEEMS) an organization dedicated to pushing the bounds of science, fostering community, and elevating Black Women.

Black in Marine Science (BIMS) an organization that aims to celebrate Black marine scientists, spread environmental awareness and inspire the next generation of scientific thought leaders.

National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS) an organization that aims to foster camaraderie among African-American divers, and address the unique problems and concerns of the African-American community.

Conclusion

I encourage you to spend the 29 days of February, and beyond, in active learning and celebration of Black history. Support Black communities whenever and wherever you can. It can all go an incredibly long way.

Thank you so much for reading! May your month be full of happiness, learning, and celebration!