Did you know that Americans have been commemorating Black history since 1926? This year the theme for Black History Month is A Century of Black History Commemorations, 1926-2026, and we would love to share some resources for your learners.

Photo of several members of the Harlem Hellfighters who won the Croix de Guerre for gallantry in action in World War I, 1919.

First, you can learn more about the history of Black History Month with History Unboxed’s digital magazine Black History Month Unboxed. It includes profile of prominent Black figures, recipes to make with your learner, and a card game that makes learning about Black history easy and fun.

Family of enslaved black Americans in a field in Georgia, c.1850.

Second, check out 1860s Unboxed which focuses on the era of Reconstruction as well as an Own Voices piece about the Fisk Jubilee Singers, a Black a cappella ensemble that still tours today!

If you are looking to deep dive into primary sources related to slavery, we have a blog post on that which includes links to voice recordings of formerly enslaved people gathered in the 1930s.

A Fourth of July celebration. St. Helena Island, South Carolina, 1939.

Want to study historic Black communities? You can start with the Gullah-Geechee known for their stunning baskets or Gee’s Bend which has produced quilts first out of necessity and later as art. Don’t forget to check out the children’s books listed at the bottom of both to help these communities come alive for younger learners!

Musicians Dizzy Gillespie, John Lewis, Cecil Payne, Miles Davis, and Ray Brown, Downbeat Club, New York, c.1946-1948.

If you want to dive into ancient history, you can read about the history of cornrow braids on our blog, and follow it up with a visual history of iconic back hairstyles here.

In the 1920s, when the history Negro History Week was started, there was a resurgence in Black culture in the U.S. We discuss the Harlem Renaissance in our upcoming box 1920s Unboxed, but until then, you can look into figures of the period like performer-turned-spy Josephine Baker, singer and actress Billie Holiday, and leading intellectual W.E.B. Du Bois.

We do have several blog posts highlighting civil rights struggles including the desegregation of a Maryland amusement park and the use of literacy tests as a way to disenfranchise Black voters.

Looking for something for your youngest learners so that they can follow along, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture has created over 40 completely free, downloadable, and printable booklets for babies through age 5 complete with simple crafts and books recommendations. Find those on their website here.

What are you studying this Black History Month? Where are you visiting? Let us know!