At Commonwealth, we consider the histories, tales, and voices of Black People needs to be honored and uplifted throughout Black Historical past Month—and day-after-day. Pandemic or no pandemic, there are nonetheless loads of methods for us to have fun and study. Our workers has gathered a wide range of sources, together with music, books, movies, and conversations, that can assist you have fun our nation’s wealthy cultural heritage and perceive our shared historical past.

Keep in mind: Educating ourselves within the identify of humanity and justice for all isn’t meant to be restricted to 1 month. Neither is it a prescribed record of actions or to-dos; relatively, we hope these sources spark your curiosity and assist us all—domestically and globally—turn into extra conscious
residents.

Learn

Choosing literature by Black writers is very vital throughout Black Historical past Month. By celebrating and supporting Black authors and publishers, we are able to allow extra genuine storytelling that displays Black experiences, identities, and voices. Listed below are a number of you may try:

• The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story. This e-book by Nikole Hanna-Jones weaves collectively 18 essays that discover the legacy of slavery in present-day America with 36 poems and works of fiction that illuminate key moments of oppression, wrestle, and resistance.

• The Deeper the Roots: A Memoir of Hope and Home. In his e-book, Michael Tubbs shares what it was like rising up Black and broke in Stockton, California. He talks about being raised by his household of robust girls, the life-altering encounters he had with Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama, and the challenges of being a pacesetter within the twenty first century.

• So You Want to Talk About Race. Ijeoma Oluo gives a dialogue of the racial panorama in America, addressing the problems that divide us and bridging the hole between folks of coloration and white People scuffling with race complexities.

• Speaking of Race: Why Everybody Needs to Talk About Racism―and How to Do It. A PBS host, award-winning journalist, and self-described “light-skinned Black Jew,” Celeste Headlee has been pressured to talk about race since childhood. In her e-book, she teaches us easy methods to have productive conversations about race and gives insights, recommendation, and assist.

Hear

From podcasts to playlists and politicians to performers, we’ve compiled a variety of content material to tune in to for Black Historical past Month. So, as you grind by means of the center of winter, take heed to our suggestions to be impressed, enlightened, and moved.

• 1619 Project. Nikole Hannah-Jones says the contributions of Black persons are typically unnoticed of the American story. Her mission is to reframe U.S. historical past by means of the lens of slavery.

• The Life and Losses of Politian Michael Tubbs. Former Mayor of Stockton, California, from 2017 to 2021, Michael Tubbs tells listeners why “Whenever you’re championing points that go in opposition to 400 years of historical past, you may lose generally.”

Watch

How higher to honor the contributions and achievements of Black People than by studying extra about their tales? We share this record of talks and movies to shine a light-weight on new voices and historic trailblazers.

• 23 Nice TED Talks to Have a good time Black Historical past Month: A roundup of insightful talks that supply recent, considerate views on Black identification. Most are 20 minutes or much less. View the list.

• Hidden Figures: Set in Sixties Virginia, this inspiring film is predicated on the true tales of three pioneering African American girls who have been NASA mathematicians. Their calculations helped America obtain a few of its biggest accomplishments in area. Watch the trailer.

• Selma: This 2014 historic drama starring Cuba Gooding Jr. recounts the story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis main the march from Selma to Montgomery to safe equal voting rights. Watch the trailer.

• The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman: This 1974 tv film starring Cicely Tyson
  depicts the lifetime of a 110-year-old Black lady (sure, 110!). She was a former slave who lived by means of the Civil Battle and the Civil Rights Motion. Watch the trailer.

Store

With dwelling workplaces in Waltham, Massachusetts, and San Diego, California, we want to
make you conscious of a number of Black-owned companies in our communities. From eating places
to bookstores, we hope you’ll contemplate visiting and supporting these
companies.

Go to

Visiting a museum or library is a vibrant solution to immerse your self within the richness of different cultures, take within the tales of the previous, and depart together with your eyes opened a bit wider to the world. These instances are stuffed with challenges, however exploring a digital assortment is simple. Plus, you get to set the hours—and snacks are inspired. In honor of Black Historical past Month, listed below are a number of digital visits to think about:

Native to our dwelling workplaces, Boston has the Museum of African American History, and there’s the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Arts. The Museum of African American
Historical past is internet hosting a number of on-line occasions celebrating Black Historical past Month which are price testing. When the time is true—and the doorways are open—maybe an in-person go to is in retailer.

Make a Lasting Impression

As dad and mom know, younger minds may be impressionable. Story time is the proper alternative to show youngsters about Black trailblazers and pioneers in our historical past. This roundup of 24 books to read to your children in honor of Black History Month makes it straightforward to get

began.Even in case you don’t have little ones to learn to, take a spin by means of the record. Scrolling by means of the quilt artwork and charming summaries is nearly nearly as good as searching an precise bookstore or library. Virtually.

Inform Us About Your Celebration

Whether or not you’re trying to educate your self about Black tradition in America otherwise you wish to be a part of the dialog, we hope these sources assist encourage motion, connection, and consciousness. When you learn any of those books, watch any of those movies, or go to any of those Black-owned companies, stop by our Facebook page to inform us all about it.

Third-party hyperlinks are supplied to you as a courtesy. We make no illustration as to the completeness or accuracy of data supplied at these web sites.

Editor’s notice: This publish was initially printed in February 2021, however we’ve up to date it to convey you extra related and well timed data.