 Welcome to our monthly observance series on DEI Matters. I'm Margaret Friedle-Thomas, your Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Justice Director for Arlington Public Schools. And I'm Katie Hodgkins, your DEI-BJ Specialist. Happy Black History Month, Arlington Community. Every February, people in the United States celebrate Black History Month in recognition of the profound achievements, contributions, and history of African Americans. And this observance actually began as a week-long celebration. In 1915, historian Carter G. Woodson recognized that the vast majority of the American public did not have access to information about the accomplishments or cultures of Black people and communities, of which there were many. But at the time Black history wasn't included in textbooks or courses of study, it was intentionally excluded. Woodson co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. And they together declared that the second week of February as Negro History Week in honor of two important birthdays, Frederick Douglass and former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. This inspired schools and communities nationwide to organize local events and performances as well as establish history clubs and offer lectures. These gained more attention, honor, and collective celebration when they were extended into a month-long observance in 1976, thanks in part to the Civil Rights Movement and a growing awareness of Black identity. Black History Month has been celebrated in the United States every February since. Black history encompasses many cultures, language, stories, and traditions. Even the term Black offers just one categorical label for a vibrant tapestry of diverse communities. Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of all African Americans to the United States and honoring Black people from all time periods of the U.S. history. From the enslaved people forcefully removed from their homes in Africa in the early 17th century, whose hands built the society we now live in, to generations later of African Americans living in the United States today, Black History Month offers a time to recognize, honor, and reflect upon Black triumph through consistent adversity and injustice. Each year to honor contributions and achievements of Black leaders across a variety of fields, a new theme is dedicated to the celebrations. Last year in 2023, the theme was Black Resistance. This year in 2024, the theme is African Americans and the Arts. As the Association for the Study of African American Life and History tells us, in the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary, and other forms of cultural expression, the African American influence has been paramount. African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment. Kehende Wiley, for example, an African American and Nigerian artist who painted the portrait above here and also created Barack Obama's 2018 portrait, is acutely aware of the role of art in the perception of power. Wiley's goal is thus to give Black bodies an epic or heroic dimension by breaking down the cycle of prejudice and honoring African American youth as the central protagonist in his art. From Kehende Wiley's paintings to Amanda Gorman's poetic words to musical roots in Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin, Black artists continue to define American culture in paramount ways and pave pathways of inclusivity and recognition of the beauties and realities of Black America. Within and beyond the arts, Black History Month authors an important opportunity for education and awareness. Schools, universities, museums, and community sectors often organize events, discussions, film screenings, and exhibitions that shed light on the achievements and the struggles of African Americans throughout history. These activities help to renew the spirit of diversity and inclusivity and bridge gaps in the understanding through collective learning. As we celebrate Black History Month in the education world specifically, it's important to reflect upon how our conversations, curriculum, and actions create and uplift the Black community beyond February and throughout the year. This Black History Month, we encourage you to engage in dialogue and learn something new, attend an event, ask a librarian for a book recommendation from a Black author, or build out habits and patterns to interact with Black stories and cultures throughout the year ahead. We wish a happy Black History Month full of fruitful learning and engagement to all in our Arlington community and beyond.