Aria Brooks is unquestionably a rising star in the midst of #younghollywood. This muti-talented Atlanta-native has been perusing her passions, singing and acting, from a very young age. Fast-forward to present-day and Brooks is beginning to accumulate a diverse professional resume that includes titles such as Harriet, the Netflix series, Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings, the Nickelodeon variety show, All That, among others.
As we know, February is dedicated to Black History Month, where we remember the past, celebrate the present, and craft our story for the future. As a proud young African-American rising star, Brooks has been using her Instagram during the month to showcase prominent historical figures from our past and present.
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Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month, began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. The precursor to Black History Month, Negro History Week, began in 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced that the second week of February would be dedicated to the study of black history. This week was chosen because it coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln on February 12th and that of Frederick Douglass on February 14th. Both dates had been celebrated by black communities since the late 19th century.
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At the time of Negro History Week’s launch, Woodson stated that the teaching of black history was essential to ensure the physical and intellectual well-being and survival of the race.
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Negro History Week blossomed into Black History Month and was celebrated for the first time as a full month in 1970 at Kent State.
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In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month and urged all Americans to,
“seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
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Black History Month received official recognition from not only the United States and Canada, but most recently, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have begun to unofficially observe Black History Month as well. As Black History Month 2020 draws to a close, tell us what did you do to make Black History Month special this year?
