Celebrate Black History Month with the Senior Adults in Your Life 

Black History Month is an annual celebration of Black Americans’ history, culture, and contributions. It was the brainchild of historian and founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASAALH), Carter G. Woodson. Initially, it began as a week that coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, but in 1976 President Gerald Ford officially designated February as Black History Month, saying the American people should “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

For the older adults we serve, celebrating the events of Black History Month may be painful or bring up suppressed memories. It’s important to remember how many of the Black history events have taken place recently, and what may seem far away for younger generations might be fresh in the minds of their older families, friends, and neighbors.

The following are some ideas to celebrate Black History Month with your senior loved ones:

• Encourage them to share their memories. Learn about their individual experiences during pivotal moments in US history.
• Organize in-person or online visits to Black or African history museums, galleries, and historic locations.
• Read a book by a Black author.
• Support a local Black-owned business, whether that may be a restaurant, retail shop, or other venue.
• Attend a Black History Month event or parade! Find one in your local community and see what may be being done right in your neighborhood.

As you think about Black History Month, it’s a time to not only recognize the resilience and strength of the Black community, but also to highlight Black joy in the face of and through adversity.

Learn more about what events may be happening near you by calling a Community Resource Specialist at (408) 350-3200, option 1.