Written by: Maia Williams 

Black History Month begins on Feb. 1 each year to honor several African Americans who have helped shape United States history. According to CNN, Carter G. Woodson, an African-American Historian, wrote black Americans into the nation’s history. He founded Negro History week in 1926 which later expanded to Black History Month in 1976. 

Woodson was troubled by how history textbooks didn’t acknowledge America’s black population. He made it his duty to include black Americans into the nation’s history by establishing the Association for the study of Negro Life and History. He also founded the publication, The Journal of Negro History. 

“Real education means to inspire people to live more abundantly, to learn to begin with life as they find it and make it better,” said Woodson in his book “The Mis-Education of the Negro.” According to CNN, despite being the son of former slaves, he received his education through a four-month custom period for black schools as a child. Later, at 19 years-old, he taught himself English Fundamentals and arithmetic. In high school, he completed a four-year curriculum in two years. He earned his master’s degree in history at The University of Chicago and his doctorate degree from Harvard University. 

Charis Allen, senior-nursing major, shares why Black History Month is important to her. “Black History Month is an opportunity to focus on the many contributions African Americans have made and are making. In a country, where our contributions and struggle for equity had gone unnoticed, Black History Month forces most American institutions to take a closer look,” she said. 

You can help honor Black History Month by supporting Carlow’s Black Student Union. Throughout the month, they will be hosting a series of events. For more information please view The Carlow Chronicle events calendar or contact Black Student Union president, Noble Dixon, junior-respiratory care major at nldixon@live.carlow.edu