Commemorating Black History Month

IRVINE, Calif. (Feb. 4, 2022) – The Office of Equity and Inclusion opened February by sending a message to the UMass Global community paying tribute to Black History Month. Readers were invited to not let the month pass without having fully engaged in its potential.

OEI staff has offered ideas for how people can engage in Black History Month:

• Buying from Black owned businesses.
• Donating to organizations that support promoting Black health, joy, education, civil rights and community development.
• Reading books by Black authors.
• Educating yourself on cultural humility, dismantling white supremacy, and promoting inclusivity.
• Listening to Black people.
• Engaging in learning focused on anti-racism and racial equity.

Recommended resources include:

• African and Black Diaspora as Curriculum (Oxford Research Encyclopedias)
• A Hidden Identity: 10 famous Afro-Latinos to celebrate during Black History Month (Noticiero Móvil)
• Afro-Latino: A deeply rooted identity among the U.S. Hispanics (Pew Research Center)
• Caribbean influence on American Black History (Caribbean National Weekly)

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, Smithsonian Institution, and other organizations have scheduled a series of online events for Black History Month. An immense collection of research resources related to African American arts and culture, civil rights, Black leaders, and additional subjects is available via the site’s Exhibits and Collections page.

Additional resources are listed on OEI’s home page.