Celebrating 100 Years of Black History in the DMV

Happy Black History Month!

This year marks the centennial celebration of Black History commemorations in the United States, and as people honor the month nationwide, The Washington Informer is highlighting important African American narratives in the DMV. 

Every year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) — the organization behind the founding of Black History Month, started by Carter G. Woodson — chooses an annual theme to focus commemorations worldwide. 

As the association marks “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” The Informer is digging into local African American stories and change makers from 100 years ago and beyond, including Carter G. Woodson, who founded ASALH in 1915 and started Negro History Week in Washington, D.C. in 1926.

“Happy Black History Month, D.C.,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in a social media post waving alongside staff. “We are a city proud to celebrate the history, culture, achievements, and excellence of our Black community.”

From the halls of Howard University, to the John A. Wilson Building, the streets of Shaw, and the U Street Corridor — formerly known as “Black Broadway,” the wealth of historic African American excellence in D.C. has shaped culture in the District and around the world.

One of the interesting things about DMV Black history is the amazing narratives of resilience, bravery and leadership that influenced action nationwide. 

Born in Canton, Virginia, Woodson, a primarily self-taught son of formerly enslaved people who were illiterate, would become the second Black man to receive a Phd from Harvard University after W.E.B. DuBois. He was also the first person whose parents were enslaved to receive a doctorate. 

After breaking barriers in academia, he was barred from conferences hosted by the American Historical Association, even as a dues-paying member, because he was Black. But that didn’t stop him. He would go on to found ASALH — then called the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.

It was the rejection for his race that ignited Woodson’s visionary work with the association.

“The Negroes must begin to do the very thing which they have been taught that they cannot do,” Woodson encouraged in his 1933 book “The Mis-Education of the Negro.”

A professor and eventual dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University, Woodson remained dedicated to his work to preserve Black history. In 1926, he intentionally wanted to host Negro History Week to correlate with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln, and 100 years later his vision has turned into an annual, month-long celebration.

While Black History Month is a celebration, it’s a call to action to preserve African American narratives, learn from the past, and use the information gleaned to continue to work toward equity and justice.

“Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history,” Woodson wrote in his 1933 book.

As the Trump administration continues work to erase Black narratives from federal programming, websites and national sites, this February is a moment to focus on the path ahead, walking in the legacy of local change makers such as Woodson. 

“Black history — and our fundamental rights — are under attack,” said Dr. Karsonya “Kaye” Whitehead, ASALH’s president and CEO in a statement ahead of the celebration. “Democracy, like social justice and our civil rights, is fragile and it requires us to nurture it, defend it, and build upon it.”