Black Leaders in History to Celebrate

While there are too many important Black history leaders to put in a list, here are just a few ideas of Black leaders in history that can be studied and celebrated throughout Black History Month.

Rosa Parks, 1913-2005

February 4^th, the birthdate of Rosa Parks, is a great day to dedicate to learning about Rosa Parks. On Dec. 1, 1955, Parks refused to give up her seat for a white man that boarded the bus she was on. She was arrested for failing to obey the driver’s seat assignments. This led to the Montgomery bus boycott. This opens the door to teach students what a boycott is and, more specifically, about non-violent civil disobedience. Brainpop and Brainpop Jr. both have excellent videos for a variety of age groups that can introduce students to Rosa Parks and her major contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.

Harriet Tubman, 1822-1913

Some say Harriett Tubman led as many as 300 slaves to freedom within 10 years. Her life’s work was about risking her own life to save others. A great way to celebrate Harriet Tubman’s life is to learn about the Underground Railroad. Take this opportunity to help students understand the risks involved for Tubman as she traveled back and forth. For older students, mapping stops on the Underground Railroad is a great activity that can really bring historic events to life.

Martin Luther King Jr., 1929-1968

Traditionally, a great deal of time is spent in January to honor and recognize the achievements and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. However, there is not enough time in one unit of study to examine the impact of Dr. King’s legacy. Therefore, when studying Black leaders in history during the month of February, one cannot overlook how so many other Black leaders in history either led to or resulted from the accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Examine in more detail the impact that he had and continues to have on our society.

Frederick Douglass, 1818-1895

Born into slavery, Douglass went on to escape and become a well-known, influential abolitionist. He was an author and a public speaker who used his gifts and talents to further the cause of freedom. His life and his story are important and significant for any grade level to examine. However, with older students, a study of the writings of Frederick Douglass makes for an incredibly eye-opening glimpse into slavery.

Maya Angelou, 1928-2014

As an American poet, Angelou has been one of the most prominent and influential figures of the last century. This would be a great opportunity to integrate a study of poetry by reading her works. You could also incorporate the poetry of Langston Hughes, another great African-American poet.

Ruby Bridges, 1954 –

An American Civil Rights activist, Bridges was the first African-American child to desegregate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana in 1960. As you study the struggles of Ruby Bridges and others that followed her in desegregation, you can watch actual interviews with her, helping students to make the connection to someone living today that dealt with issues such as these. This can help to bring the history to life for students.

Activities to Recognize Black Leaders

Decorate Your Classroom

Take the opportunity to integrate some art activities into your Black History Month study. Allow students to create posters and murals highlighting some of the leaders that have been studied throughout the month. You can also display poetry and art from famous African-American artists.

Living Book Reports

Have a day to celebrate biographies of Black leaders in history by having a day of living book reports. Assign each student a different biography, appropriate for your given grade level, about a Black leader in history. You can have them prepare a presentation to give to the class or invited guests such as family members. Students can dress as the person they are presenting. Younger students really enjoy this!

Virtual Field Trips

Take a virtual tour of museums that feature accomplishments of Black leaders in history. You can virtually explore museums such as Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture, The Museum of African-American Art, Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, etc.

Poetry Day

Take a day to celebrate great African-American poets in history. Read and perform poetry. After studying some of the poetry, give students the opportunity to write some of their own, perhaps using some Black leaders in history or civil rights events as inspiration.

Discussion of Social Injustice

Take this opportunity to discuss both past and current issues involving social injustice. Students can work in groups to problem-solve and debate issues and ways to improve social injustices.

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Take a whole day to learn about and reflect on the contributions and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Listen to and study his “I Have a Dream” speech, analyzing his words and discussing meaning. Younger students can make a birthday card for Dr. King. Regardless of age or grade level, you can find wonderful biographies on Dr. King. You could even have a classroom or school “parade” in celebration of Dr. King and the impact he has had on society.

Music of Black History

Research how music has been used as a tool to communicate beliefs, victories, and struggles throughout history in the fight for freedom and equality. Listen to some of these songs and discuss the context in which they were written.

During Black History Month, take time to highlight some of these incredible Americans and their sacrifices, which helped to make this country a better place for all.

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Black History Month is an annual celebration of the history and accomplishments of African-Americans in the United States during the month of February. This important month-long event is also celebrated throughout several different countries in the world as well. Black History Month is a special time of remembrance as history is revisited in order to gain a greater appreciation for the here and now for all African-Americans. Although the origins of Black History Month can be traced all the way back to 1926, it did not officially become a national observance until 1976 by President Gerald Ford. Since then, each month of February has been dedicated to remembering and acknowledging all that entails African-American history.

Why is it Important for Students to Celebrate Black History Month?

Black History Month teaches students how African-Americans struggled to gain simple freedoms that others were granted so easily. In our country’s past, African-Americans have been forced into slavery, treated inhumanely, and denied rights and freedoms simply because of the color of their skin. Through studying African-American history, students can visualize how this mistreatment of Black people was cruel and unnecessary.

It is also extremely important to celebrate Black History Month because it does draw attention to the shortcomings of the past (i.e. slavery, civil rights, etc.). These flaws in American history should never be ignored or looked over. It is equally important that these shortcomings be understood so that they are never repeated in the future. Through studying this history, students learn that all are created equal regardless of the color of their skin. It makes students aware of racial injustice and how they can make a difference if they exude perseverance and determination.

Activities for Celebrating Black History Month in Your Class

ELA

I Have a Dream Writing Activity: At the completion of a study about Martin Luther King Jr., you may direct your students to write about their own dreams. These dreams can be personal or dreams for the world in general. This is an excellent activity for students of all ages. Primary and elementary grade students can write about their dreams and paint or color a picture that accompanies them. As an extension for older grades, middle and high school students can use the basis of their writing to create a speech that is presented to classmates.

Read a Book: One of the simplest things that you can do to introduce students to Black History Month is read a book! Books immerse readers into a new world, and they allow students to place themselves in another’s shoes. Stories such as Mae Among the Stars, Last Stop on Market Street, and Minty are just a few examples of literature for elementary students, but there are numerous others that provide insights into African-American history. This activity is more catered to younger readers and students, but there are more appropriate books that are suitable for older students that you may choose to use in your classroom as well.

Social Studies

Take a Virtual Field Trip: In order to advance student understanding of the history of African-Americans, students may take a virtual field trip to an area of significance. Students could take a virtual trip to view a slave plantation (via the Whitney Plantation in Wallace, Louisiana, Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina, etc.) to better grasp why slavery was such a problem and put to an end. Students could visit Washington DC to learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. and his famous speech that inspired so many to seek out their dreams and peacefully stand up for what is right.

Jazz music is a huge African-American accomplishment so why not have students visit where it all began? Students could virtually explore Harlem in New York City to experience early jazz music and learn how African-American spirituals were the inspiration for its strong rhythm patterns and periods of improvisation. The purpose of a virtual field trip is to bring history to life to make learning more meaningful and engaging for students. Virtual field trips can be used at any grade level making them a versatile student activity during Black History Month.

Create a Timeline: In order to understand how African-Americans were treated in American history, students could create a timeline of events that are significant. Students must research African-American history, and through the tools of selection and evaluation, they must determine which events are most important to place on the timeline. This type of activity can be completed as a group or individual project, and in some cases, students would need to develop the timeline over several class periods due to the amount of research needed. Although this activity is more suitable for older students (middle and high school), it can most certainly be adapted for younger students through teacher guidance.

The Arts

Underground Railroad Performance: Another activity that is easily adapted and suitable for various grade levels is the viewing of a play and/or musical showing the conditions surrounding slavery and the Underground Railroad. The musical, Freedom Train, is an excellent depiction of Harriet Tubman and her journey to freedom through the Underground Railroad. It outlines the hardships surrounding slavery and helps student gain a greater understanding of why slavery needed to be abolished. It also helps to develop empathy in students.

Learn or Create a Spiritual: To pass the time and keep their spirits high, slaves created and sang spirituals. These songs were intended to help slaves keep their faith and continue on despite the devastating conditions many of them faced. Songs like “Free at Last,” “Go Down Moses,” and “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel” are just a few examples. Spirituals, like “Wade in the Water,” were also used as code during the time of the Underground Railroad. Students could learn to sing a spiritual or study spirituals in order to create their own based on their understanding of slavery. This activity is appropriate for students of all ages.

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